The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-30
MISSOJ-RrS FINAL ANSWER.

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Very much as if it stood outside and shouted
there are burglars in your cellar the world at large
is and has been for time gathered under the Win
dows of Missouri calling to that there are boodlers
in our Legislature. and what we going to do
about it?
Most Of us are concerned RATHER with what is going
on downstairs but there are few hanging out of the
window pareyng with the useless crowd below
Sometimes they adopt tone of friendly interest ana
solictude and at other times become extravasant IN
denuncation
1t is noteworthy that Missouri has not boosted
There have been sounding threats. imprecatons or
bombast from this State. We have refrained alto
gether from answering the inquiry. but the replies
have been characterized rather by moderation. calm
consideration and candor than by exposiveness
Missouri has conspicuously refrained from recrim-
nations 1t has sought consolation in the fact that
other States perhaps, better; it has not made
much of indications that corruption is not peculiar to
Missouri but is general 1t is concerned with its own
misfortunes and with the effort to remedy them.
Missouri has suffered humiliation, but on the part
of the citizens there is lack of trust in the State
The discovery that corruption existed to such ex-
tent has been blow to pride but confidence remains
unimpaired in the citizenship and in the institutions
of Missouri, and the day has not yet come when n
Missourian should hang his head. 1t is the humlia-
ton Of having been wronged which the true citizen
feels, and it is sense of personal wrong.
To the question. What Is Missouri going to do
about corruption? The best is found in the at
titude of the citizen. Much is promised when every
citizen feels personally aggreved and it Is not too
much say that every citizen worthy to be counted
among Missourians does carry sense of personal
loss consequent upon the States damage at the hands
of booders. Concern has moved men to greater 10y
atty; desire to redeem the State The best patriot
ism which a man can have has been awakened by the
discovery that Missouri is in need it is regard for the
State at home, for Its honor ut home. With every
holding proprietary interest, exercising pro-
pretary right and participating in the States affairs
if only by wide-awake interest and intelligent
vote-there need be fear for Missouris redemption
and its honor.
The answer is largely political Official energies
have prepared the way for the people; they must
finally determine the question the polls At every
opportunity thus far the people have unqualiedly
pressed themselves through the ballot. At time
have anxiety and sentiment and purpose been deeper
than present and there is every prospect for con-
tinuance and growth. Doodle revelations have more
would have lost its edge before now. The Doodle
das have gone deep and will go deeper, and perforce
Doodle must remain the principal topic for Missouri
for year to come.
At the polls generally, in 1904 the people will, with
proper opportunity. express the world certain
mistakabe, settled convictions which should consti
| tue Missouri's for all time Let the people
define their own issues and select their candi
dates free from the influences of the politicians,
| the opportunity is guaranteed.