The National tribune., 1902-01-16

The settlement of MiSS0urIS claims L
Statehood brought about the first Guber
material election in the new Territory
which was soon to enter the Union. The
election was held Aug. %, 1920, almost
Il year before the Territory was admitted
to Statehood. 4 Legislature was elected
at the same time, consisting of Senate
and House, which met in st. Louis, Sept
10, 1920, and among other duties of this
General Assembly was the selection of two
United States Senators.
The General Assembly convened at TIE
Missouri Hotel, which then stood on the
corner of Main and Morgan streets. Be,
ing the first and perhaps the most i'm,
pOrtant General Assembly ever held in the
State, people from far and near focked
TO the town to witness its proceedings.
Candidates for United States Senators
were numerous. Perhaps the most promi,
neEt Of all named was Mr. David Barton
who was exceedingly popular, and was
unanimously elected On the first ballot.
As the second has much to do with the
incidents of this story, was by far the
most exciting contest ever known in any
State, and had great bearing on the future
of the Nation, we will give it as nearly
full as we can with safety to authenticity,
and space will allow.
Among the III st conspicuous characters
were Col. Thomas II. Benton and Judge
John Is. C. Lucas The rivalry of these
two men could not be otherwise than bit
ter.
1T is not for myself" declared Judge
Lucas to Mr.. MCNair, who was in the
city at the tine. 1t is not that l have
personal ambition TO crafty, that ] wish
to defeat that man, but that every time
l look across the river toward yOn ac-
cursed island, | seem TO see my poor boy
lying bleeding and dying on the sands
from his murderous hands"
'aNb1t hn s.I,a Mr. ~
Il cannot say. Benton is unpopular,
and yet his friends are active. l think 1
can depend on the Frenchman from st.
Louis, Marie Philip LIE Due, who swears
he would sooner lose his right arm than
vote for Benton"
viii he remain steadfast?"
u hope so; yet there is a danger to
What is it,"
''The darling project of LIE Dues legis-
lative ambition is TO secure the confrma-
tion by Congress of the French and SPAN
ish land claims. These Benton is pledged
for"
And your
IL they are confirmed. it will enable
La Boone, Muldrom and hundreds of
other lInd-piTates to swindle honest men
out of their homes. Your own cause might
be jeOpordized.'
ia Boone is in town, and very ac-
tive"
Certainly, on Benton's election, he
thinks depends his chances to increase his
already large fortune; and he is leaving
no stene unturned."
Has be any influence"
with some he has. He has claims on
their land; these he promises to relinquish
If they viii vote for Benton. This is an
argument which tells, and is hard to get
around"
1t is villainous, corrupting, and, if
pursued, the United States Senate VIII be
q body OF men who buy their way
The balioting for the second United
States Senator continued several days. At
any time had Judge Lucas consented to
the confirmation of the French and Span
ish claims, he could have been selected.
and Thomas II. Benton would never have
worn the Senatorial toga. But Judge
Lucas would not consent to that which he
believed wrong. He knew those claims
were held by men of La BOome's class,
home-rObbers, who seemed TO live to make
men suffer, and even, though it might
elect the man whose hand was Redeemed
with the blood Of his child. be would not
be untrue to his clients.
SIT is the greatest struggle of my life"
he declared to Mr.. McNair ''On one
hand ! see right and justice: on the other
l see red-handed murder. The latter must
triumph or justice fall. Was ever man
pIaced IN SuCH Straft:
1t had been a heated session OF the
Legislature, and they were no nearer the
end than at first.
NJ. lie Due had left the hotel, and was
walking down Main street, when he was
met by Judge Lucas.
How goes the conflict now, lie DucT
he asked.
I'VE are no nearer settlement"
'Is Benton gaining in strength?'
s-Npf hia yaf ,F hi.
porters have decided to let Barton sug
gest which he would prefer for his col
league'in in the Senate"
Judge Lucass hoi,es began to fall. In
faltering voice he murnGred:
HE will choose Benton"
Il am afraid he will"
THAT will give him strength"
"Yes, but shaking his head, ''it
won't elect him. He is 50 very unpopular,
Monsieur, it won't give him enough
strength
lie Due, depend on you to oppose
him to the bitter send"
Oppose him; why, am ] not opposing
his, Monsieur! Sooner would | loose my
right arm than vote for him"
Under any circumstancel'
Under any circumstance" was the re-
spouse.
Judge Lucas knew something of the
small value 10 be placed upon political
PROMISES.
II hope he will keep his faith, and fight
the good fight" declared Judge Lucas as
he walked homeward.
No one was more active in the contest
that La Boone and Muldron. As Il lob
byist the latter was far superior to the
former, being Il man Of good address and
pleasing manner, while La Boumc'S wa
terry, greenish-black eyes, pnffed lips, pug
nose and wheezy voice were repEgnant 10
most people.
But day and night they watchcd their
opportunity to buttonh0le some member,
lead him aside. ard sound the praises Of
Col. Benton. Up to this time Benton had
had no opportunity to display any great
degree Of statnsmanship. He had been
lawyer and the publisher Of Il news
paper. lie was naughty. aIiStorratic, and
dominccring in his manner Such men
win "a certain class of admirers
The fact that he had fought ducls and
Killed mcn did not make him any the less
popular by the people in those days.
The relies Of haIbarism still cling 10 us,
nooutidc Of civilization, and we must look
over the easy c0nsciences OF our fore
fathers 50 years ago. Benton. who should
murderer, was looked upon in the light
was fairly conducted should have been no
excuse, and would be no excuse in this
day.
our standard Of the hero is growing
higher.
The brute-forcr hero. the man who could
c0Olly stand before his Antagonist and
ct Oh 1, =