The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-08-29

a proposition beautifully. They are
continually schemlng. They should
not forget to have in view election day.
What will it profit the minority to gain
control Of the party machinery at the
primaries and lose the State at the polls?
Let the prodigal son not arouse too
many elder brothers in the party.
They may vote against his candidates
or, with half as bad effect, they may
sulk in the fields in November.
The Doodle business will count
against the democratic party. 1t does
not matter that, for one reason or an
other, the majority of those indicted
for boodling have been republicans.
1t does not matter that it was a demo-
cratic ciriuit attorney in St. Louis and
a democratic attorney general at jeff
erson City who have carried on the pro-
solutions with such ability, courage
and success. The party in power
must suffer, to a large or less extent,
for the sins committed. Persons fsmil.
lar with the situation in st. Louis and
Jefferson City will admit that republi-
cans have out-boodled democrats.
But the masses Of the people recall
that it was a democratic lieutenant
governor and leading candidate for
governor who confessed to supreme
corruption, that it was a democratic
State convention that sent the king of
the railroad lobby to the national con-
V%ention, that The statute of limitations
has acted as a bar to the prosecution Of
other prominent democrats-the masses
have memories and not always dis
elimination. As a matter Of sober ar
gument the poodle disclosure and pros
ecutions should help the democratic
party in this State. AS a party, in its
platform and through the prompt and
thorough-goiug action Of its officials, nc
blame may attach to 1t. To the con.
trary, the party merits commentator
and public confidence therefor. But
the people, ineensed at the guilty hood.
lers, are inclined to sweep out the inn.
ocent from office. Public opinion shift,
quickly from causeleos confidence t
causeless suspicion. The issue il
Missouri to-day, whatever the politi
clans or the platforms declare, is, &C
cording to the people, Honesty with &
big H. 1t is a stern public opinion tina
is dealing with the issue, The part,
in power, in order rot to feel the who'll
brunt of the blow, must be as wise as
serpent and as honest and straighfor
ward as a Puritan preacher. The Sun
day school man, not the railroad lobby
ist, is in these %troublous days, a hand
man to have around. For the demo
cratic party in Missouri, honesty is th
best policy.
The democratic party IN Missoul
must suffer for the decisions of th
supreme court. The reversal of tn
st. Louis Doodle cases, whether right
Q or wrongly the average critic does ne
stop to consider, has been unfortunate
. The leaden heels which justice assume
: in Jefferson City occasion harsh con
= ment. The plain people are unfaml
lar with the manifold ways by whic
D the goddess goes when in the red tap
Q tolls. The worst blow which ii
supreme court has given the democra
ic party, however, was its decision
@ the contempt case. II is tortuna'
D that one judge is a republican. II
4 Lord looked ahead in the interests
4 the democratic party when He permit
ed Walter NJ. Robinson to be choose
in 1894 to the bench. 1t is unfort
r nate that both the editors fined WEI
republicans. Stated in the bald,
democratic supreme court fines two r
n publican editors for criticising Il
conrt's decision in favor of the raj
road corporation in a personal inju,
damage suit. 1t does not matter h
right or the wrong Of the fine. 1t W
unprecedented. 1t comes at a tin
when the people are not cordially d
posed toward the court. 1t is look
upon as an attack upon free speeC
Above all else the Missourian likes
be dependent, to talk out in meetin
a to do as he pleases. The privilege
10 swearing on occasion be has come
a. believe as guaranteed by the Dill