The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-01-09

run me out Of the democratic party
and 1 am going to do all l Gao to run
them out. II they want q party, let
them form a party Of their own or
get into the republican party. There
is nc room In the Missouri democracy
for a boodler.
"If the corruptionists are ever to
be overcome in the democratic party
of Missouri, now is the time So
much ammunition against them will
not likely be found again. They
realize that this is the critical time.
They will either be o%verthrown or
they will fasten themselves stronger
than ever upon the state They are
powerful and are entrenched behind
millions Of money. They are making
a desperate fight for control of the
democratic party. They have their
allies who are working for them ron
stantly. They hesitate at nothing
No lie is too malicious, no calumny
too great, no methods are too deSpica.
BILE for them to employ in 40 effort to
accomplish their ends. 1t is surpris-
ing to find some that sympathize with
them, who rejoice when a victory for
the boodlerS is an announced who be-
come dOwneast when a battle is won
against them. Do not be deceived as
to their strength. The fight has
been, and will be, no easy one. There
are some who think they may be sue
cessful in controlling the democratic
party, but | say when one sees the
Missouri Democrat in his daily life
Of sturdy honesty, and recognizes his
sterling character built upon the
rock Of principle, transmitted to him
by his fathers, all doubt must dis
appear, for with tnat reservoir of
virtue to draw from, the result of the
fight for good government cannot be
In doubt.
"In the State General Assembly leg
islation has been honey.c imbed with
corruption for years. Bribery was the
unusual and accepted thing. Instead
G Tflllc Office bQiog a pebble srEf..
to many it was a private soap. They
out ragged every sense of honor and
decency, and insoleutly Haunted their
corruption in the face OF the people.
They traficked 10 the honor of a SOW
ereign State.
Much has been said about the
governorship of Missouri. 1t is a
place Of tremendous opportunities
aud serious responsibilities. The
governor is charged by the censtitu.
ton with the duty of seeing that
the laws are evenly administered
throughout the state. He controls
the police departments of st, Louis,
Kansas City and ST. Joseph. He az
points the e ection boards Of these
cities, and the excise commissioner as
well. No governor in any state OF
the Union has more power for gooc
or evil than tue governor Of Mis-
souri,. There are Others more worthy
shan | Of that honor, yet If my party
in the exercise of its partiality, calls
me to the task, l shall do my best t.
serve the people Of this great state ii
that capacity, | do not ask for tn,
place by reason of having done M
duty in the position / now hold. l wan
no reward for doing my duty, othe.
than the approval OF my conscience
/. / would take the governorship If il
5 comes 10 such a way as to leave me
free to do my duty to my party ant
state. II it were necessary to com
e promise with the undesirable lnfu
S ences in order to get it, and II knew
e ttat by acting SO l could be elected
b ! say TO you | would not have it.
went into the Office | now hold with
out any promise to anyone and un
e der 20 obligations to any man, and
ever l hold another position i
t must be under the same conditions
1 had rather retire to private III,
e conscious Of having done what
e deemed my duty to the people than
e by falling to do so, hold The highes
e Office 10 the land. There is NOR
t honor, l believe, In hooest prlvat.
e life than 10 high ficial position
! gained BY the sacrifice u principle.
"Some OF the gentlemen who ar
e opposing me for this nomination hay
d not always been kind in their re