The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-28
BLAND'S FRIEND NAMES
GOVERNOR DOCKERY.

| Captain John ". Farris of Lebanon, who
was Richard p BANDS close friend and
| chief lieutenant. and who was the earliest
| Missouri man in the field. and one of the
most active. for tine Pertle Springs Com
vention, writes this letter to The Repub-
| lie:
To the Editor of The Republic:
Lebanon, No.. March 26.-During the pre-
liminary contest in the Democratic party
for the presidential nomination in 1895 T
took somewhat active part in behalf OF q
distinguished Missouri Democrat, who
then believed was both the logical and most
available man in the party to head the
ticket in that memorable campaign. Mis-
souri, Democrats. with great enthusiasts
united upon the man OF my choice. and
the State convention. which assembled at
Sedalia, instructed its delegation for ths
Honorable Richard p Bland
At the Chicago convention, the sentiment
was strong for the nomination Of Mis-
sourfs commoner. but from some sections
Of the country the delegates would not
cast their votes for Mr. Bland because
they did not believe that he was available.
All democrats at that time. who were in
accord with the platform adopted, conceded
that Mr.. Bland was the logical candidate,
but from the standpoint of availability
many did not believe that the candidate
should come from Missouri-Missouri being
classed as a Southern State. This opinion
was strong with many of the delegates from
the Southern States. Yielding to the plea
OF availability. Mr.. Bland was defeated but
In the selection Of a candidate from one Of
the Northwestern States. and naming az
the standard-bearer the ablest statesman
the greatest orator. and the wisest philoso-
pher this country has produced since the
days of Jefferson. the party's labors were
crowned with defeat I
The condition in the party to-day is not
wholly unlike the conditions in 1885, With
wise and discreet action, the adoption of a
democratic platform and the nomination
or the right man to head the ticket the
party can win in 1904. Who can win a.
the candidate for President? Not Parker
Not HILL Not Olney. Not German. There
is no substantial sentiment in the party in
favor Of the nomination of either of these
gentlemen that does not also carry with it
the demand for reorganization Of the
party What does reorganization mean?
First, the reputation of the platforms
adopted at Chicago in 1886 and at Kansas
City in 1900. and the elimination of Bryan
ism. Such action in National Convention
would cost the party one-half of its $500
900 voters
A man who stood upon the platforms of
1885 and 1860 and loyalty supported all OF
the party's nominees, and who has a pub
lie record for. ability. fidelity to public ins's
terests and sound conservative business
Judgment. can win a great victory for the
party in 1904. and that man is Governor
Alexander NJ. Dockery of Missouri.
For more than a score Of years the man
who could be nominated and elected Gov
ernor of the State Of New York has been
regarded as the logical and available can
dtdate Of his party for the presidency.
Missouri to-day bears the same relation to
the Democratic party that New York bears
to the Republican party.
Governor Dockery. after a service CT six
teen years in Congress. service of excep-
tioral orilliancy, in which he was character
lied one of the most useful members of
that body. was nominated by reclamation
as the Democratic candidate for Governor
and triumphantly elected. He has now
served more than half of his term Of four
years. The Legislature has Just closed its
session. being the second session during his
term. and nowhere during his career as
Governor has he failed to measure UP to
the Jeffersonian standard-he has been hon. [
est. he. has been competent he has beeuN
faithful. The nomination of Governor Dock
cry would be absolutely satisfactory to Mr..
Bryan and his followers. To nominate him
would bring no demand to reOrC5nize the
party or TO eliminate Organism, for Dock
cry was distinguished disciple of Bryan
ism in 1896 and 1900 But the wisdom of the
Eastern Democrats would serve them in
such an emergency- They would 80 10 the
record of Mr. 'Dockery while member of
Congress. That record would tell them that
he Is conservative; that he Is devoted to
sound business principles: that he Is I'M
equivocal: that he Is honest. The Demo-
Gratis OF the East are tired Of Republican
rule and they are afraid of Roosevelt They
would hail the nomination Of Governor
Dockery~ as a satisfactory basis Of union
'or all the clements of the party Therefore.
he is both logical and available. The pur-
,ose Of this letter Is to suggest as the Demo-
ratio candidate for President in 1904 Cover
nor A. NJ Dockery Of Missouri.
]. W. FARRIS.