The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-13
AN HONEST REPUBLICAN OFFICIAL

That popular sentiment In Chicago favors honorng
States Attorney Charles S. Deneen with the Repub-
can nomination for Governor Of Illinois Is worthy OF
serious thought and clearly demonstrates that the
public, when awakened demands honesty In the men
To whom 1t trusts responsible offices. 1t appears that
both in Illinois and Missouri. both at the conventions
of the dominating parties and the polls the deid
ing factor will be the official proby and the fitness
of the candidates rather than party services or ma
chine interests. Herein lies great promise that the
cutlery against venality is neither of day nor OF Il
locality, but is nationwide and enduring
Powerful manipulators in ench of these large States
preparing to submit TO and make the best of what
to them is n bad job BY stretch of the imaginn-
ton it be accepted that the lobby politicians are
pleased 10 find themselves shouting for honesty III
Office The sensation must be akin to that of soapins
their mouths But they know that In the last resort
the people supreme and that now the sooner they
take refuge in silence the better. They are growing
humble and soon will be glad of whatever crumbs OF
patronage fall their way.
1t would be a gross mistake to assume that any
broad clearly defined issue Of boodling exists across
the river. In Chicago, which is one-third of Illinois,
franchises have been sold and graft has ourished III
Republican and Democratic organizations. But At
torney Deneens exposures have affected jury bribg,
STRAW" bondsmen and bail dodgers The more
astute boodlers. who have worked on a large scale,
successfully covered their tracks and hence the auction
of city privileges is not concrete fact heralded by
the newspapers every citizen high and low Never
teess the issue Is distinct enough to render 1t para
mount. Deneen stands for absolute integrity in
office; has fought .'boodng' whenever and wherever
the evidence and the law permitted action. Every
Republican in Chicago and Illinois owes him thanks.
Out in the State, though, graft has been prevalent
The question clear before the public is not much
n kind of DettifoygiuC distribution of Jobs.
Patronage is tremendous thing in Illinois. and the
charge against Governor Yates is the of his ap
ponve prerogative not much in the interests of the
people rs in the Interest of Yates. He builds not 4
Republican machine, appoints not on merit. but in
every official act shines forth with his little tool box
and hammer the carpenter of the Yates political
ship. This is not doing what Governor is elected to
do, and though Richard Yates personally is n very
agreeable gentleman at the next convention he should
be politely relegated to back seat. Such discretion
upon the part of Illinois would be hailed a GER
tain indication of forward evolution In American
politics.
This does not that Charles S. Denecn in
Illinois or Joseph W. Folk in Missouri are the only
worthy TO sit in the gubernatorial chair or the
only men who can ill the position, who can hound
down the boodlers. who uphold justice. Attorney
General Hamlin of Illinois is clean-cut Deneen
and others could be named The point is that mis-
take be made in the chosen He must stand first.
last and always honest man. the enemy-the prac-
teal enemy who knows how to fight the evil-of cor
ruption.
The same rule applies to the Republicans of Mis-
souri, and the Democrats of Illinois, Their selection
must be guided by these Identical principles. The
Republic does refuse to recognize the services
such man as Deneen because he is Republican.
and does not extol the work of Joseph W. Folk sim
ply because he is Democrat Democracy is eternally
right in principle but honest Republican is better
than dishonest Democrat. and the great American
doodle issue demands that the ballots teach the
son of personal integrity.