Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-03-15
A Chance for a Democratic senator

A Chance for n Democratic Senator.
Hon. j. Nick Perrin. of ST. Clair
county, one of the most widely known
democrats in Egypt, sees in the
present political outlook a substan-
tial prospect for the election of 4
democrat to succeed Senator William
+. Mason. and has written a letter To
Charles Broeschenstein, vice chair
man of the state central committee
urging general awakening upon the
part of the party leaders and press
looking to spirited move all along
the line with this object i'm view. The
letter of Mr.. Perrin TO Mr.. Broesch-
enstein is as follows:
Charles BrOeschenstein. Vice Chair
man Democratic Central Committee.
Edwardsville. Ill.-My Dear Friends:
Although not politician yet as an
humble citizen / take an interest i'm
the affairs of our country and state.
Like my fellow citizens / am identified
with a party. believing that its prin-
.ciples viii inure 10 the common beue-
fit. And with all due respect to my
republican fellow citizens. / know of
u" good reason why / should not be
I. democrat. Also. with all due re-
sprct TO my democratic fellow citi-
zens of Illinois. l know of no good
reason why we should allow re-
publican 'walll-over' for the United
States senatorship in this state.
While the 'wall<-over' has probably
not been conceded. yet / notice that
the political news in the public prints
is confined almost wholly 10 the
swing around the circle os the repuh-
lie an candidates.
- wri,e to you because I have en-
joyed your acquaintance and friend
ship for many years and because YOU
ave vice chairman of the Democratic
stat, committee and becauS.. you are
connected with the Democratic Stale
Editorial association. My belief is
taat the people of Illinois woul take
kindly to the prospect of selecting a
democratic United States senator.
There are many able democrats who
would fill the position acceptably.
The people are no longer party bound.
If the democracy would so much AS
encourage one or several of its able
men he or they would receive from
outside our party the encouragement
of that great liberal element which
cannot he bound by partisan ties rCr
hushed by partisan gags.
although we cannot vote directly
for senatorial candidates. vet in
every locality the fact that the dern-
Ccracy~ is hopeful might secure the
direct support of the people for their
local candidates for the legislature.
If Il were only understood t!ict some
active. predetermined democrat had
senatorial aspirations il would en-
thuse democrats and lead many re-
publicauS TO consider. Such an as
pirant or asp:rantS would soon COIL
vince thu people that the question is
not y hiclI one of the many republic
can candidates is to represent the
state but whether the state j. 10 bc
by democrat or :: re-
publican.
, Il repeat that he people are not
party bound. The republican sena-
torial itineraries that are mapped
out. announcing to the faithful
that Mr.. So and So will be at the
hotel in their city on u certain DAY
between certain hours smack too
AN outpouring of sthc masses. The
democrat who will visit The people
i'm their homes and on the streets.
who will talk to the business man nj
the counter and in the Office who
will fraternize with the workman nj
the mine. shop, factory: VII" Will
walk the furrow with the farmer i'm
the pillow time will be the next United
States senator from Illinois. N,.uT's
truly, !. NICK PERRIN"
Mr. Perrin exhibits commendable
confidence in the favorable character
Of the situation. and if the democrats
of the state do their whole duty in
the premises there * no reason WHY
his hopes may not be realized. There
are thousands of republicans in lii
nois today who are more i'm sympathy
with democratic politics and ptrr
poses than they are with the policies
adopted by their own party. This is
a good year for such republicans tot
a rebuke to their party