The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1905-04-22
MIR. Wilson's Letter.
81. Louis, Mo April l6, 1905.

the republican" party the favor to
kill Lincoln the policy of the anti
Lincoln leaders Of that party has been
to drive people from the country into
towns and yet more from both coun-
try and towns into cities. And from
the point of view of usefulness as
well as from the point Of view Of
survival the worst, life is city life
ArY family living 10 Paris and inter-
marrying only with the PariSians
becomes extinct It's only hope Of |
escape from extinction Is intermar-
riage with families from the country, |
Here in St. Louis, and still more in |
Cincinnati the air In winter is so full |
Of coal smoke as to be unfit to breathe.
In the carboniferous age the air
would not support human life. 1t
was all right for reptiles. 1t is a
curious coincidence that among the
arlstocratic boodlers Of this city were
scions Of most respectable families that
( always lived IN the country up to the
generation before the bOodlerS, Has
life IN foul air a demorallzing effect on
mang Since 1 was here last large
part OF the city that lies between the
east or business end and the west or
residence end of St. Louis has been
abandoned by its better-class owners.
The excellent homes with the once
fashionable Warrensburg stone fronts
where the aristocrats once lived are
given up to rOomers, boarders and
some lines Of business, one Of which is
not named but is tolerated. The
west end is uow new and beautiful
and the air not often smoky. But
in time the people will have to "move
onn from here. Out here now the
rich "devil-wagon owner whirls
along In dSdainful "get out Of the
way or I'll kill you" style. There are
many "places" secluded by signs "no
thoroughfare The streets are wide,
the hcmes~far apart and there is
breathing room.
Today is the first "dry" Sunday
and the majority Of St. Louis has
gone to st. Louis county. Such laws
only change the drinking from one
place to another. they do not lessen
the amount. During the campaign l
saw in North st. Louis a horrible
picture Of Wells and a list of his
benefits and request for reelection.
"He has given US clean streets" it
said, and the street that it faced was
like a pig-peu for as far as l could
see. "He has given US good water"
It said, but the water was good
enough for North St. Louisians' pur-
pose before, and now he has taken
: away their Sunday beer. The next
mayor will not be democrat,
1t is strange that so many country
+ people look to the city papers for their
n opinions, when the opinions Of the
/, city press are not a matter Of Drin'
q clple but Of profit to the Stockholders
In the paper.
When l count them all up, Lex
n ingtoI has lost 4 large colony to St
Y Louis, but has gained none from st
4 Louis. The same is true OF Kansas
q City. Whenever the country people
s properly study the idea In the first
ia part OF this letter they may stop the
y exodus. What city policies rob then
of would make good business for all al
home and would make good roads 81
they could get about, move thei
e produce any time aud the boys ant
:, girls get around TO get acquainted ant
have frolics and their elders NEE
k often and be friendly. For as lh
L Norsemen used to say, Weeds grow
L IN the path that is seldom trod
y GEORGE WILSON.