New-York tribune., 1903-03-11
PATRONAGE STRUGGLE.
Kerens Holds 1t Responsible for Re-
publican Defeat IN Missouri.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Jefferson City Mo-. March 1O-At the Republican
caucus tonight the following letter from Richard
c. Kerens. acknowledging his nomination at the
beginning OF the session for the United States
Senate to succeed Senator Vest, was read:
Hon. John H. Boutwell, chairman Missouri Repub-
hcan joint legislative caucus. Jefferson City
Ny Dear Sir Some time ago was duly advised
ddate for United sates Senator as one ~ tRe ont eau
Gus Of the F'orty-second General Assembly Ao-
Sooner making my A acknoWiedsment Of the high
f6anR nov S0n Deg 70 To t my Rp%S
can Senators and Representatives. and to assure
E94 yenled and them of my of the honor CON
i also beg that you will convey to the sixty-eght
ance that it viii b6 my aim and my pleasure at
party in Missouri. and that my EFFORTS viii be de-
voted In the future as in the past, to the upoud-
and City
AN ts Fefe ba. pseg Snss " a psy ths
the party Of progress and achievement the party Of
sGd aha the as s o es
and the highest glory and credit to our REPUBLIC;
S sU a hare been Walking in t the e. loo Of ts
each Presidential election the party has shown
steady increase in the aggregate vote, until in the
more than three hundred thousand voters. and
bnos 5 OF 1s the fact that b t the
Of the most infamous laws, passed for the express
without regard to the votes Of the people This
continued and increasing strength Of the Republi-
standing the obstacles interposed to prevent our
the Column Of States permaneDtIy Republican.
1t would not be proper more than briefly to REFER
Pbnsd to the to failure Of o tni the
e Naab tns STATE wtb N the 6a st a
Shssd the the voters St Louis [s e and
cratic party, which has for so long time kept
Missouri in bondage But this is not all. all . There
SIGNS and facto9ai strife within our party II yon and
office. Instead of fghtng the common enemy, me
fought each other for the spoils 1t is because OF
federal patronage that the party has 80 often suf
Fully realizing that federal offices too often prove
have refrained as much as possible from in any
70 GonfrGI 10 stated
my position in this respect in the PUBLIC press,
operate with party leaders. business men and
pa Of The in and II sha st e
ments when there have been controversies over
is to jepored that federal patronage is source
Of weakness when it ought to be BE- mace eenen5
party rather than OF self dominated party leaders
I have never urged the appointment of any one
account of expected benefits to myself tx-
perience and observation have taught the lesson
which is as Sc oI as this % e mat mat aP e
Unsuccessful applicants. disappointed class, who
become indifferent to party success even more than
willing to see the opposition succeed Another evil
It tho to the ans as H o as De2so3a 20 5ne
grandizement by party leaders. This ought not
to be.
another evident evil e the eFEaTzatOn 5tT Of
eounty. Whose % purpose under the Euse
OF party organization, is 10 procure federal offce
Such committees bring permanent injury upon the
party and lose the respect of voters
However, there is responsibility in supporting can
we should see to it that only Of character
who enjoy the confidence and respect OF the com,
munities in which they reside, are chosen, ana
that the choice of the people shall be respected
Candidates of this character and standing who are
stanch Republicans. can be found In all comrnuni-
ties throughout Missouri
AS national committeeman have acted upon
these lines throughout believing that such course
would be OF best utility to the party in the mat
tiers lust referred to- without in the slightest meas
refrained from taking any part in advising as TO
appointrnents Patronage Is distasteful TO me, put
the persons whose standing, recommendation ana
service to the party entitled them to recognition
was in honor bound to aid In every way IN my
In this letter my dear Mr.. Boutwell,. 1t is far
from nv intention to speak disparaRingly or any
one There IS no place time In this busy Ire
for fault finding Mistakes of the past can and
should be remedied in party affairs as well as IN
and rise above the littleness Of petty politics,
making our organization one for the beneht OF the
Republican party and not for the beneht OF our
selves
Success after this long struggle. can only be
brought about by an absolutely united and har,
monious party throughout the state: oroao ana
generous party organization with toierauon ana
good will for all through whose agencies all ar
ferences will be adjusted. harmony restored. ana
the united army Of Republican voters move 70 one
R c. KERENS-