The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-05
GRAFT STATE AND NATIONAL.


GRAFT. STATE AND NATIONAL.
Republican journals are alarmed at the political
effect of the Bristow report, which amounted to a
confession of Wholesale venaty in important de-
partmens of two administrations. Democratic
newspapers and leaders in the postal disclosures.
together with other administration scandals, log
ical reason for asking the voters of tie land to put
their party in control.
In Missouri Republican argument. fearing. and
unable to meet the situation squarely, lodges tie
main question and endeavors to prove that papers
like The Republic in advocating the continuance OF
Democratic rule in Missouri and in denouncnG
Republican misrule at Washington are in an en-
barrlssinS and contradictory position The sun and
substance of this charge is that The Republic is
supporting boodlns administration ut home and is
attacking one ut Washington
Were the first half OF this charge true. it would
in degree lessen the force and significance of the
second part II Missouri were ever so delinquent,
it is impossible to comprehend how that is any re-
lief or solace to the national Republican party,
how the fact could exculpate the latter from re-
sponsibility for eight years of unexampled graft.
How the conviction and punishment of the Grim
inals may acqut the Republican party, is another
amazing conundrum. Do the Republican organs
mean to say that the Republican party controls the
Federal courts and is entitled to credit for their
ton? Do they mean to say furthermore that after
long suppression of the truth, the outcroppings OF
graft in Indian affairs, in irrigation and Oregon
lumber lands in the postal business is not indica-
ton Of deeper ramifcations? Do they mean to say
that pinchins twig or two will cure rotten tree!
AS TO the delay in Missouri that is beside the
subject, but for the benefit of the organs that which
The Republic often has pointed out may be re-
pcated. \ Federal court is thing, State court
another. Democratic officials are eNcrting all their
energies to put the booders behind the bars, but
facing technical delays which must be faced I'M
der the codes in nine out of ten States. II any
dishonest influences are at work to render this de-
lay longer Democratic officials will be glad Of In
formation relating to the matter and there will then
be politicians in trouble.
The Bristow report, as plainly could be- placed
the onus of the national boodling squarey upon the
Republican administrative officers. What is there
which may be cited as evidence of corresponding
shortcomings ut jefferson City? Sam b. Cook. upon
whom otherwise rests no stigma of individual or
political msdeed was impulsive enough to overlook
a friends criminal act because he was friend.
The Speed-Lyons incident alone is connected with
tho administrative branch Of the State government
In the endeavor to carry the naturalization frauds
investigation up to the Statehouse, the United
States District Attorney scored complete ''fall
down. which, likewise, was complete acquittal
not only of Morrow but of the higher State officials
whom Republican organs endeavored to involve by
innuendo. Not alone is the administrative govern
nent Of Missouri untainted by corruption. but able
management has placed this State in a foremost
place as to economy, low taxation and financial re-
SUITS Boodling has entered, almost without e1cep-
ton, wholly into the legislative function and, in
that particular not by the longest stretch Of the
imagination, can it be called party matter.
The Republic and the Democracy Of Missouri
may consistently deny that an issue Of booding as
between parties exists in Missouri and nevertheless
emphatcally assert that such an issue as between
parties does exist nationally.
Corruption or mismanagement becomes an issue
when 1t so far permeates q State national adj
mnistration that it may be said to characterize
that regime. The Republic did not presume to de-
clare graft to be basis for the casting of vote
until from the small beginnings OF the postal dis
closures, it spread to the Indian Territory, Okla
homa to the far Northwest to the Western rriga-
ton lands and back again to the Postal Depart
nent, when the full facts as to the latter were
formally made public. If the partisan Republican
organs able to point to any such parallel in Mis-
souri,, then The Republic will help in unqualified
condemnation Of the guilty persons and will admit
that Missouris Democracy deserves rebuke