The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-31
THE DELAWARE IDEA IN MISSOURI.


| Insstent and recurring reports of money used
and attempted be used in the senatorial fight are
sufficient to alarm Missouri for its good They
no mere fiction but bear the carnarks of fact
Corruption is an element in the fight: it has become
more than an incident: whether 1t will become fac
tor is an important question for the people of the
State and especially for the Republican party.
| Such corruption as the senatorial fight dscloscs
is particularly conspicuous by reason of the recent
political experiences of the State. 1t has for its
background the triumph of the Missouri Idea and
the election of the man who stood for that idea by
the people OF both parties the support Of the Demo
cratic principle by citizenship. The corruption
thus presents distinct contrast
Ii Is corruption for which Republicanism is dis
tinctly responsble-not the rank and file. but the
party In a narrower political sense; and will be
charged wholly against the party. 1t must go down
In the party record. In no possible way can any
fraction of the responsibility be shouldered on
Democracy. Even IS it now stands, the blot on the
Republican record is an ugly one. Whether the
ultimate result bears the taint or not, whether the
corruption enters vitaly into the election the fact
remains that II characterized and colored the
paign Missouri may send an honest man 10 the
Senate who will nobly sustain its honor. All men
must hope that that will be the fact. And not one
dollar may enter into the determination Of the less-
lative vote which sends him there. Missourfs
earnest desire is for such On accomplishment But
the story Of the campaign in some respects Is an
ugly one: it reads like some Of the Infamous his
tory Of Delaware's senatorial affairs.
Delaware and Addicks convey an unpleasant
suggestion to the country. The linked names
universal reminder Of political disgrace and leSis
lative debauchery. Missouris Republican legsla-
&c Al
dickss attempts Oh the Delaware Legislature and
the cloud of scandal under which the State has so
long rested in consequence of his partial successes
Delaware viii recover its reputation In years.
Much worse would Mssouri's reputation fare
under like treatment, in It's present situation Sup
pose that Addcks and his legislators were trans
planted to jefferson City to make Missours history
for the next few weeks against the contrastful
background of reform and >Folks triumphant elec-
ton. The picture Is hideous but not more hideOuS
than corrupt men In Missouri could render 1t. 1t
is not more hideous than the reality will be II the
corruption at work On the senatorial fight succeeds
Misouri's name would be blacker than De.a-
wares If the Delaware idea should dominate the
Republican body at Jefferson City in the coming
month.
The Republican party has not made a good start
toward the fulfllment OF its campaign promises 10
the people Of maintaining the highest moral stand
ard in public affairs. tainted senatorial election
would stamp the entire four years Of Republican
officalism and responsibility In the Legislature.
There will be no living it down. 1t will be diff
fcult, even though corruption is ultimately defeat
ed. for the party to dissocate itself from the
scandals which have already out in the pre-
lminarieS
But an honest election Of qualified man will
go far to render the Republican atmosphere whole
some. Corruption which fails makes far less i'm
preston than that which endures. People will for
get the scandals Of the campaign, especially If
proper selection Of Senator in open is
made the Inauguration Of four years Of Republican
good conduct.