The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-26
Colonel OVERS CANDIDACY.

Colonel d. 7. Dyer has declared himself for the
seuatorshp. The Republican party could go further
and do worse. OF the qualifications which lie pos
for tie honor this one is prominent: Colonel
Dyer has been big enough Republican to stand
above the factionalism which has made the Missouri
z p. transforming burlesque for all OF its his
tory that the average man to-day can remember.
The swashbucker bosses have sounded their
charges and strewn the field with crimson carnage
in their battles for pie. while Colonel Dyer stood
the heights aloof and often alone for principles
which he maintained We're of more Importance than
spos. Contention has lashed the of Republic
anism into fury and the waves have dashed ntte
factiona craft TO pieces-whle the Colonel from his
safe emnence on the rock of principle watched the
storm. He has been caught in the clashes and
hurricanes. but has been wiser than his feowpoli-
ticans. and he has probably because of his wis
dom in holding his Republicanism above the strife
Of sposism, been honored when opportunity present
ed itself to the party in the past. Colonel Dyers
announcement of his candidacy for the Senate is by
no means presunptuous-nor will the rank and file
of his party be disposed to look upon him unde-
serving of the best within the party's gift.
There is more dignifed figure in the Missouri
party than Colonel Dyer; and Notwithstanding that
he has held himself above factionaism he has been
be the partys fortunes what they might-and they
have usually been very bad Colonel Dyer has
made more good Republican speeches-all things
are relative-than any other six men in Missouri.
He has been the only genuine "old war horse in
tional campaigns, and incidentally he tell more
and better funny stories than all of the other can
dates put together.
Colonel Dyer has been a good official in whatever
capacity he has served. His record of service ex-
ceeds thar Of any other man in the race. That is
something to be considered. And his recent work in
the naturalization cases gives him something of a
relation to the principle which is uppermost in Mis-
souris late politics. Upon this ground Colonel Dyer
might have had the gubernatorial nomination, had
he not been too wise TO take it.
Behind good many trees and bushes in various
parts of the State, 1t Is said, Representatives
who have deepseated fancy for the Colonel In the
event that the two topmost candidates in the fight
at present should "eat each other up" as the pot-
cal slang goes, that neither could win. 1t may
be that this is another instance of Colonel Dyers
keeping out Of the fray which wrecks factions and
that he will loom up prominently a survivor.
He enters the race and at the same time another
figure OF speech-at about the time when dark
horse usually begins 10 run, and it will be very in
teresting to note what effect his candidacy has.
Should he win with that up-countty and down
country and out-country latent strength of his, it
would not be the worst that could happen to Mis-
souri, at the hands of Republican Legislature; and
it would undoubtedly please the Colonel all the way
down through his six feet of manhood to the tip of
his boots. Should he lose, he will still be good
Republican he says and will be found just the same
doing business at the old stand" In any
it is to be hoped that he will never stop telling
his funny stories