The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-04-09
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To-day's primaries and county mass
meetings may do much in the direction OF
settling the question of control in the mex,
Democratic State Convention. Six counties
are to decide the Issue on the governor
ship, and Of these six three are of much
more importance In the outcome than the
mere matter of delegate strength to which
they will be entitled in the State Con-
vention.
Cole County. with but five delegates, is
the home of what is admittedly an anti
Folk circle Of influential Democrats. The
County Committee. however. has shown
Folk leanings on two occasions. and it is
the contention of the Circuit Attorney s
friends that all of the country districts
will be found in support of him at the
close of the day, with a margin sufficient
to overcome any lead that Mr.. Reed. the
rival candidate in that county, may have
in Jefferson City. the capital of the State
and the county seat.
The loss Of Cole will mean reverse for
the anti-Folk forces that will be difficult
to overcome in its effect in counties yet to
hold meetings.
Clay County, with it's seven delegates
has especial significance in the fact that
1t lies directly north of Jackson, the home
OF Mr.. Reed. Both Folk and Reed have
didate is claiming the county.
HENRY CONCEDED.
Henry County, already conceded to the
Circuit Attorney. by reason Of the fact
that both Judge CAN'T and Mr.. Reed have
declined to allow their names to go on
the ticket there, IS an important Demo-
cratic community, and the home of Judge
Gantt, himself candidate for the gov
OF the 10 delegates to the State Con-
Vention, Mr.. Folk has to his credit, In
Guiding the conceded eight votes Of Henry
county, loS instructed supporters, repre-
Sentfng twenty-five counties and three
st. Louis wards. Mr.. Reed has thirty-three
delegates pledged to him from five coun-
fies; ., M; r. Hawes has Ill delegates from st.
gates from Crawford County, doubtless
favorable, to his candidacy.
Ihe combined opposition to Mr.. Folk
a5s as nesssssTs nsse1ore' IN delegates cut Of the
chance and good politics. the anti-Folk
three delegates from Kansas City, St Jo-
must yet get no fewer than 1aS country
votes to have majority in the State body.
Inc TACT OF a primary in Buchanan
sInsay Ss u joseph Is supposed to indicate
ana If It is true as reported that thirty
OF the jackson County Hansas City,
co1nmitteemen are Tor Folk against eight
cen for Reed. there is reason for think
Ing, that the retiring Kansas City Mayor
VIII have hard work to control the forty
hve delegates from his home community
Mr.. Reeds frisnds say that he will an
doubtedly carry Jackson County ana Kan
sas City. and that he will be the winner
IN Buchanan. One OF the Reed supposters
went 60 far as to say the other day that
the Kansas City man would stand good
rfance OF winning without the aid OF st.
Louis Kansas City or st. Joseph. This
statement was made, however. before the
primaries Of a week ago, in which Folk
showed surprising strength
BATTLE GAUGE.
The Jasper County delegation Is to be
fought for next Tuesday, and if Mr. Reed
wins. it will give him and his followers
courage to continue the quest Of delegates
outside OF the cities. If Mr.. Folk wins
with fair measure of success in to-day's
primaries. there will be reason for pre-
dieting that he will find easier sailing In
the counties yet to be heard from.