The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-13
SPRING ELECTION.

SthlNG ElAESIlON.
With few exceptions the candidates nominated by
the Democrats in recent elections were men Of ability
and good character. This policy was chiefly re-
sponsible, next to the wretched rule rendered by the
Republican machine oficeholders. for the victory
achieved by the Democratic party In the election Of
Mayor Wells and his principal assistants
As there was an actual cause for the defeat of the
Republican gang, so there was an actual and strong
cause for continuation Of Democratic success. The
triumph of the Wells ticket was due TO two causes
popular disgust with mismanagement of municipal
affairs by the preceding misgovernment, and the ex-
traordinarily fine character Of the Democratic local
ticket. The Wells good-government ticket won be
cause the public had tired Of misgovernment.
The Wells administration fulfilled its pledge liter
ally, and on this account the Democratic ticket won
in the succeeding election. The ticket last fall was,
as a whole, a representative and trusted one. While
there were two prime causes for the election Of
Mayor Wells, there were three such causes for Demo-
cratic victory in the last local election. though there
were more than three causes for Republican defeat.
In the last election the Democratic ticket won for
these three principal reasons: Because the Wells ad-
ministration lad provided good government and had
thereby gained the full confidence of the people; be-
cause the Democratic ticket was infinitely better,
man for man, than the opposing ticket, and was sup
ported by the good records Of Democratic officials in
the City Hall; because the taxpayers would not and
could not trust the Republican crowd, owing to the
ignoble practices of the gang that dominated the
party. The causes for Republican defeat, in addi-
ton to those represented by the merits of the Demo
cratic cause. were the dement's Of the Republican
machine rulers, as well as factionalism in that par
tvs ranks.
Adherence to the reform policy will insure further
success for the Democrats in this spring election.
There is more prospect now Of victory than there
was two years ago and than there was last autumn.
The Democrats have an excellent platform Of duty
well done by present ~incumbents in public office and
fulfllment of all campaign pledges. They can point
to official records in the City Hall and say: There
is our platform" They can nominate good men and
say: Here is our ticket" Against this convincing
declaration the opposing partisans would have no
defense.
The Democratic form Of municipal government, as
represented by the present administration, has
proved to be the best government that st. Louis ever
has had, and the voters will no doubt be DESTROYS of
perpetuating it as much as possible. They will have
no inclination to trust in the party OF disagreement
if the Democrats will nominate for this spring cleo
ton such men as may be relied upon to serve public
interests honestly and well like officials of the Wells
administration are doing.
Voters should not get the impression that the com
ing election is unimportant 1t is. In truth, e4cep-
tionally and gravely important. Six new members OF
the CITY Council and twenty-eight new members Of
the House of Delegates will be elected. 1t is so long
since the lower branch Of the Municipal Assembly
has been worthy that the people of the various wards
are, in self-respect, called upon to elect a House SUI
perior throughout The honor Of every ward will be
at stake.
The Democratic party should maintain its good
government reputation by taking the lead in nomi-
mating reputable and competent candidates for MEM
bership in both branches Of the Assembly. If 1t will
take this course, the voters of this city will see that
the party wins another victory. By all means and
under all circumstances nominate only trustworthy.
able men.