The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-15
SUNDAY, MAY is, 1904.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF sPoILs-
MEN.

MEN,
The Republican state convention of
Illinois, which has been in ineffective
session at Springfield for two days, is
described by the Associated Press as
the most turbulent political gathering
ever held in that state. The presiding
officer of the body, the Hon. Joseph C.
Cannon, speaker of the house. some
thing uncouth in language and habit,
says it was "the d-dest gang" he
ever saw-and it is probable that Un-
Gle Joseph has seen some superlativeIy
rough houses in his day.
The fight is exceedingly bitter be-
tween Yates and all the other candi-
dates for governor-for it appears to
be Yates against the field. AS between
Lowden and Deneen, the Chicago can
didates, there is quite as much bitter
ness. For more than a year the cam
paign has been going on. There has
been no lack of money. 1t has been
freely charged-and the charge has
been substantiated-that Yates has
compelled all the state appointees to
contribute to what has become locally
known as a slush fund, with which to
control the convention. Lowden is in
the fight because he has some mil
lions and is willing to spend something
to secure the nomination. Deneen is &
Chicago politician, attorney for Cook
county, who got into the race by virtue
of obtaining control of one section Of
the Muddy City machine. Billy Lori
mer, whose political methods have
citizens for many years, is a factor in
the fight All the vicious elements of
politics, the corrupting influences of
wealth, have entered into the contest
and the henchmen of the contestants
have been gathered at the feet of
Speaker Cannon for two days, fighting
like fishwives, with tongue and fist, to
demonstrate to their opponents the in
disputable merits of their various
champions. Fist fights have been
common in the convention hall: the
presiding officer and his sergeants-at-
arms have been powerless and the po-
lice have been compelled to interfere
more than once to prevent bloodshed.
The convention is a disgrace to the
state and the party which is RESPONSE
bic for it. 1t is fair example of the
condition to which the Republican
party has been brought by the de-
bauching influence of a long period of
ofticeholding and public spoliation.
No one believes-at least there is no
reason for belief-that a man of the
ealiber of Gov. Yates desires the office
of governor again for any other rea-
son than that he is still greedy for
power and plunder. He has been bit
terly and unanswerably assailed in
such hidebound organs of his party
as the Chicago Tribune. He has Maid
no attention to public criticism and
his administration is rotten to the core.
Lowden's ambitions may be honorable
In a rich man who sees something he
wants and is willing to pay the price.
The other prominent candidates are
stalking horses for the big fellows.
The Illinois convention must have ;ts
influence on the country in that 1t viii
demonstrate to the people what cor
rupt politicians will do to hold or seize
the reins of power. In Wisconsin this
week there viii be a fight between the
ins and outs Of the Republican party, |
and It is intimated that the governor
expects to cali out the militia in order