The St. Louis Republic., 1904-10-19
MISSOURI GoyERNMENT.

From the standpoint of economical and efficient
administration Missouri to-day enjoys the distinc-
ton Of being the bestgoverned State in the Union
fact which must be borne in mind by the people.
The cry and movement for good government does
not by any means imply that Missouri has suffered
bad" government in the sense Of extrayagant, in
efficient negectfuI administration; but refers to
the fact that some men, both Democrats and Re
publicans socalled have been guilty of taking
in Office.
The controlling forces of Democratic administra
ton for the past third of century. which have
brought this States affairs into condition Of un
surpassed excellence have been honest forces; in
the main the Democratic party has been dominated
by integrity as well competence The cases of
dishonesty occurring in the party have not been of
nature to discredit the party; they were related
to a system not within but without the party. The
nucleus and chief strength of the Doodle legislative
system was in the minority party-is still in that
party. Doodle developments first disclosed the Re
publican machines systematized corruption in st.
Louis. and when the investigations were carried to
Jefferson City it became evident that, although
called Democratic legislators were involved in the
wrongdoing. the corruption there part of the
same machine system The Doodle clique imbedded
in the Assembly represented, in so far as it repre-
sented anything political, the Republican machine;
it drew scattering auxilarfes from the other side
These distinctions should be carefully preserved
in the peoples minds. Good government" in Mis-
souri, now means thorough good government. Ad-
ministrativey, the State government has been one
of honesty, efficiency and financial success. The
battle this year for standard which shall lift the
legislative side to the same level.
Under Republican municipal rule Doodle attained
its method and system. The State Legislature was
affected sympathetically. it were-there a
direct connection between St Louis Doodle and JEFF
ferson City sandbagging The st. Louis inyestiga
tons led directly into the system at the capital and
the system proved to be Republican
Missourfs Democratic administration has been
consistently of character deserving the support of
honest and intelligent citizenship. When the Dem
ocrats assumed charge and responsibility Of the
State government they found it in condition of
destitution rank misgovernment and corruption.
The people had been paying high for government
which had not been given to them. Republican
treasurers had sold out to the railroads. officials
had pocketed State funds, rich assets had been
looted institutions had been sadly neglected and
Missouris affairs generally presented spectacle of
dilapidation.
What has Democracy done in thirty years? 1t |
has paid of the huge State debt. To-day the State
does not owe dollar Missouri is creditor. There |
is money in its treasury. It's tax rate is conspcu
ously low. Its institutions, largely increased in |
number, compare favorabiy with those of other |
States. Its officials and have been, upon the |
whole, high-class public servants. The State has
been well guarded and well policed. It has en- |
couraged industry and aided commerce. State re |
sources have been developed. Property values have
been Tremendously improved. Population has been
and population Of the most desirable
character. Every State and public interest has re-
ceved the most solicitous attention of the sue
ceeding administrations Missouri under Demo-
cratic government has taken rank with the great
and foremost States of the Atlantic seaboard.