New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-26
POLITICS In MISSOURI.
DEMOCRATS ALARMED.
The Republicans May Carry the
State an 1904.
IRON TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU. ]

and frankly expressed by prominent Missouri
Democrats IN Washington over the indications
OF the defeat Of their State ticket in Missouri
next fail and the danger of the electoral vote
going to President Roosevelt
II Republican factior.al differences can be
harmonzed and clean cut aggressive cam
paign. under the management OF capable lead
ers shah be undertaken. President Roosevelt
can carry Missouri next fall"
The Democratic party OF Missouri is disor-
| gained and discouraged as a result OF the ex-
posures OF wholesale corruption The intense
bitterness between the organization and the bet
ter element Of The party. headed by J. w. Folk.
will probably lose the State for us next year"
4 These two expressions. emanating respectively
from Republican and Democratic politicians of
Missouri. indicate the actual trend of public
opinion. irrespective OF party affiliations and
point 10 the possibility of securing the eigh-
teen electoral votes OF Missouri for the Repub-
lcan nominee in 1904. Should this break in the
vote Of the solid South be made it will not only
clinch the apparently certain victory of Pres-
dent Roosevelt but it viii destroy the little
hope OF success of the Democratic candidate en-
tertained by those sanguine leaders Of that party
who so assiduously chase rainbows and generally
secure only the shadow for the substance.
II is pointed out by those who are familiar
with the present political situation in Missouri.
has been OF a character to insure to them a
thorough inside knowledge OF the conditions I'M
der which the State has been carried, that the
comparatively small Democra tic margin is in
danger. This conclusion is reached by careful
study OF the vote Of recent years and by con-
trasting the Democratic unity OF the past with
the divided ranks which VIII have to be mar
shalled for the battle Of 1904. Rarely has the
Democratic vote OF Missouri exceeded 81 per
81
commended with the discords and bitterness
known to exist, and which bid fair TO increase
constantly the change Of the comparatively few
votes necessary to accomplish the defeat of the
Democratic party in the State is far from diff
cult.
FOLK AND ANTI-FoLK
The Folk and anti-Folk Democrats in Missouri
are about equally divided but the nomination
for Governor of the aggressive young p-osecut-
ing attorney. whose crusade against official
ruption has wrought such havoc in the ranks of
The Democratic organization. seems 10 be
Fured In this event the machine viii bend
every effort 10 accomplish his defeat. Its lead
ers openly assert that they will split the Demo-
cratic party wide open and throw the election
The Republican candidate rather than install in
Office the man who has so reentIessly exposed
them. They believe. too. with their organiza-
zion powerful particularly in ST Louis that
they can deprive him Of a sufficient number OF
votes, matter how il has 20 be done to more
than offset those he may receive from the rep
utable element OF the Democratic party and
gain from the independent Republicans who ad-
mire him for his courage and honesty
Folk convicted Edward Butler. the Democratic
boss, Of boodling. and the Supreme Court Of that
state recently reversed the decision on a hiu1sv
iechnicaity. This has naturally widened the
breach between the two factions in the party.
he NNeTl- orrTv--
took this action in order 10 discredit their can
dicste, while the anti-Folk men assert that the
reversal was warranted by the evidence and that
Fok has been using his Office prosecuting at
icFney 10 further mis- own political ambitions.
MACHINES REVENGE.
The candidates now in the field for the Demo-
cratic nomination for Governor are J. W. Folk,
Mayor Reed OF Kansas City, Harry Howes. Po-
lice Commissioner Of St. Louis and Judge CAN'T
OF the Supreme Court. who handed down the no
torious decision in the Butler case. This means
Folk against the field, and a desperate machine
hight against Folks nominat ton, which never
theless now seems assured
Defeated in convention. the machine, accord
Ing 10 the best Informed politicians of that State
VII revenge itself at the polls If by any chance
the machine should be able TO nominate a
doate OF its own. il would ALLEVIATE the reputa-
pe vote OF the party. and the result would be
the same. This element occasionally becomes so
csgusted with Democratic mismanagement I'm
MISSOURI mat II goes hshng en- bloc, and when
that political pastime is INDUCED in by the old
time partisans Of the late Silver Dick Bland
and other leaders of that character. down goes
the machine, as was so clearly shown in the
elections TO the LIVth Congress.
With this tremendous fight raging within the
Democratic party and the certainty Of the bit
tsTness expressing itself al the polls. II does
require, in the judgment of Missouri politicians
any great stretch Of imagination TO see the
State IN the Republican column next year.
Whichever faction may be successful at the n
Veution relentless viii be waged upon the
nominee by a large percentage of his party and
should the Republicans seize the opportunity,
and rally 10 the support Of an acceptable candi-
cate, they may be rewarded with full meas
ure OF success.
REPUBLICAN CHANCE.
Missouri Republicans openly assert. and Dem
ocrats tscitly admit. that President Roosevelt
viii 50 largely profit by these conditions which
seem be impossible OF correction before the
rational elections. that he will have an excel
lent chance Of carrying the State. and this inn
preston is no longer confined to those thorough
ly in touch with the situation in Missouri but
finds credence wherever that situation is dis
cussed
= note OF warning, however has been sounded
by Missouri Republicans who desire TO bring
This state into the Republican column They
say that there must be thorough reorganiza-
ton Of the mana cement of the party in that
State: personal ambitions must be subordinated
10 party success and leaders chosen who will
command the respect and confidence of the
voters Then they claim, apathy will disap-
sent solid front and cast the votes necessary to
insure Republican success for the State and ma
uonal tickets.