New-York tribune., 1905-08-22
HOW MISSOURI WAS WON
COLONEL KERENS TELLS.
Believes Republican Control of the
State Will Continue.

Colonel Richard C. Kerens. OF Missourl was so0H
at the Office Of the San Pedro. Los Angeles ara
Salt Lake City Railroad IN the Atlantic Build
ing. yesterday. before sailing for Europe ana us
cussed the situation in st. Louis and elsewhere
Yes said the colonel I'm going 10 Europe
for vacation-a vacation. too that haven't had
in many years-a vacation that may extend long
enough for trip around the world There Is no
political significance IN the trip. though may
put in time studying the question OF reciprocity
which think is the most important OF the hour
i am high tariff man. and believe the prosperity
and greatness of the United States have mainly
come through the countrys protective tariff policy
and that belongs to the Republican party
You have been in national politics for many
years, have you not?'
Yes. and always with the Republican party.
have served on the National Executive COMMITTEES
throughout nve Presidential campaigns. and I have
been proud to belong TO the party that has built
up our country TO so great world power. The
tarin has been a sheet anchor. The products Of
the soil and food supplies our greatest re-
sources. and / believe that we should admit COM
modities OF other nations-comnlodities that we do
not produce ourselves-on reciprocity basis.
Then your trip to Europe and around the world
may have some significance. after ALL?
"Oh. no. There are great questions in the
wind just now. Financial policies are settled. and
the differences existing between the people and the
corporations will be settled for the best interests
OF both. The American people have way OF
settling amicably all public questions.
What ara the conditions in Missouri. politically
and otherwise?'
CONDITIONS IN MISSOURI
Il have lived ir Missouri for thirty years. The
state is prOsperous-more prosperous than be-
fore OF course this has been an exceptionally
good crop year. but Missouri has diversified pro-
ducts. For instance she produces immense guam
titles OF zinc, and controls the zinc market of the
world. This. you know. amounts 10 weekly
crop. Iron and other minerals also abound. but
zinc is the speciality OF the State. Reciprocity is
not needed in this product"
Missouri has joined the sisterhood Of the Re-
publican States. 1 believe to permanently remain
there Last year all the State officials elected,
cept the Governor, were Republicans and the ad-
mnistration of their offices has been entirely salts
factory TO the people OF the State they serye-far
peter than their predecessors. who were in power
for something like a quarter century.
long?" he asked.
exist in 9n the eyy tG o or State espss
IN IN ST Louis. The brewers associa ations for in
might be termed the stronghold OF the beer in
in St. LOUIS Outside Of ae ee ssfsassn
friend friend OF mine jokngly said 70 me once that the
material and that the lowest e5b Of the river
did !rbo not effect Sfect the flow for beer purposes
R3o1 {hs that % parry although il Is Wen
-Four years ago. while the legislature was Dem
ing beer~a tax that gives "a revenue 10 the sste Of
several hundred thousand dollars annually.
withdrawn from the Democratic party and trans
1erred 70 the Republican. In fact the Republicans
carried 81. Louis and Kansas City and swung aae
State into the Republican column.
POWER OF THE BREWERS.
The brewers operating in the neighborhood
OF eighteen hundred saloons in St. Louis alone and
proportionately in every city and hamlet in the
State. The repeal OF the tax law the incentive
That law. however is a fixture. IN my opinion. and
will never be repealed By either party The law
was tested In the Supreme Courts CT both the State
and the United States"
There a fierce Senatorial contest in Mis-
souri, last winter. Were the brewers concerned in |
that?''
Yes, 1 think so Most decidedly In fact a i
conspiracy was brought 10 light in investiga-
tOn By committee Of the State Legislature The |
moral Christian sentiment aroused. and a Il
considerable number OF the representatives from
the counties outside the city would stand \
the conspiracy with the brewing interest, the
caucus nominee was defeated for that reason
But the Republican party in Missouri will take |
care OF itself Its policies and principles deserve
party success without conspiracy double dealing
I'm this conspiracy just referred it was found
paign had committed the party TO such con-
Spiracies."
What the Incentive
The incentive was TO have the beer tax law |
pealed and have representative OF the beer in |
terest in the Senate. The fear that the Missouri |
beer tax law would sprsad to OtEer States This, |
take it, was mighty incentive. The Republican |
party has come into power TO stay and will win |
future victories upon merit.