The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-11-15
WILL CAST OFF
CHICAGO YOKE.
Country Democrats of Illinois
Are Determined to Have
Party Leadership.
ATTEMPT 10 CURRY FAVOR.
They So Regard Williams Boom
for President Started by
Mayor Harrison and
Other Leaders.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL. \
Springfield, Ill.,, Nov. 14--There are thou
I sands and thousands Of good Democrats
in Illinois who would burn their hats il
Congressman J. r. Williams OF Carmi
should be fortunate enough to be the NOM
inee for President In the Democratic Ma
tional Convention next year.
The suggestion OF his name from the
Chicago leaders, however. IL not pleasant
to the best friends Of the Carmi states
man.
The truth is that the country Demo-
Gratis are in a revolt against the DONNA
ton Of certain Cook County leaders. The
history of III last State Convention and
State campaign settled he question Of
Cook County leadership for country Demo-
Gratis. The Chicago yoke has been hard
to wear. 1t has CALLED every Democrat in
the State. and the positive i~ncapacity OF
Cook County politicians to Il a campaign
has been ably demonstrated.
This attempt to curry favor with the
country Democrats by advancing Con-
gresham Williams as Illinols's favorite
son for the presidency means nothing less
than that Cook County leaders want to
maintain their grip upon the State organ
lEduOH VI IllC pdIkys 4hVy pkoPOSC " uSC
Judge Wiiliams's w%ell-known popularity
to perpetuate themselves in power. No
particular individual or faction Is referred
to. All Chicago factions are bad: They
they. now it.. II they can prevent the
breaking Of the storm over their own
heads In the next State Convention they
The suggestion from Chicago of Judge
Williams's name has not attracted the
attention It deserved: This is probably
due to the source OF the boom. Judge
lions as a Democratic candidate for the
presidency. He always has been "regu-
lar" n his long congressional record is
S GashSss a 81 oieP beinx o ms of the ssr NATIONAL rna
leaders OF the Democratic party.
TIRED OF CHICAGO DICTATfON.
But the Democrats of Illinois are tired
Of Chicago dictation. The only victory the
party achieved in q presidential rear since
the war OF the rebellion was under coun-
try leadership in 1882 The victory in the
on-year Of 1850 was also garnered by ru-
Judge Williams is timber too valuable
to the people and his party to be .sacri.
feed on the altar Of fractional strife and
individual ambition. He Is very strong
has been Q star attraction for many
years.
He may not know 1t. but It Is a fact
that the most prominent and influential
Democrats in the. State have expressed a
determination to have a change in party
manaGement for next years campaign;
Cook County factions vii BE- compelled
to do to look out for their wi county.
PARTY DISORGANIED.
The country Democrats skant " a new
deal" Under incapable leaders. who do
not know the first principles Of a country
nroa vf1af tim thn norv hoa faCnma q fIiu-
organized and turbulent mob. except in a
few spots where a strong county organi-
cation has been maintained. With a con-
tinuance OF present conditions. the coun-
try DEMOCRATS see no bright spots on the
Members OF the Legislature, Circuit
Judges and editors agree that there has
ssea t9e T S1 so- poin1tn3f , ssfC5s n Tss eper
sequence has been hat some Of the popu-
lar idols and great organizers are mere
paper creations. When put to the test
they tan to reach the mark Of sven me
These Democratic critics are In every
county, and they will be heard in the
next State convention. They will demand
the party. They are not confined to the
central or southern sections of the Stale.
either. They will be prepared to ask some
leading questions. They win want to know
tickets In some fifteen Or twenty coun-
ties. Why about 1900 less votes were cast
for the Democratic candidates In 1902 than
in 1898.
TIME RIPE FOR CHANGE.
Individual members Of the party, who
never sought ONCE and never expect to,
have made up their minds to force q
change in methods Of party management,
and 1t Is very doubtful II Congressman
Williams viii make the error Of continue
ing the management Of the party machin-
cry In incompetent hands In return for
doubtful assistance in the National DEM
ocratio Convention.
In the judgment Of many influential
Democrats, there must be a radical
change in party management. It 10 moro
necessary now than It was two years
ago., when The Republic sounded Its
warning. There ia q brighter chance Of
carrying the State next year than there
was IN 1902, and with honest. energetic,
intelligent leaders in charge OF the ma
chinery. the Democratic party may win