The St. Louis Republic., 1905-10-02
POLITICS AT THE ILLINOIS FAIR.

POLITICS AT THE ILLINOIS FAIR.
it were possible for Illinois Republican poll
tcisns be honest with the voters the great event
VI the Illinois State Fair this week would lie a
joint debate between Senator Shelby N. Culom and
Governor Charles s. Deneen. in which each should
state fully and frankly his reasons why he thinks
he ought TO have his partys support in the imlen
ing contest for the senatorship
For. as the game progresses among the wire
pulling Republican factions. the fact becomes SO
plain that he who may read that not Yates nor
Han!n. Sherman. but the forceful and am
bilious Governor himself. is At The present moment
the Senator's most active and insdious rival for
that high post Of honor and power. Deneen's every
indicates this only too clearly for the success
Of his plan.
Against the Senator's artfui methods Of winning:
personal Popularity and support by mixing in coun
tryside gatherings and plan,in: Federal patronage
in the places where il will do the most good rhe
Governor has in motion the deeper processes Of
the mole. working underground to weaken the foun-
dations on which the astu'e Senator stands He has
tried 10 make. and may succeed in making: Yates
Hanlin. Sherman or others pawns in his game. to
ID" knocked out the advance line after worry ihs
his antagonist as much possible. II is Not in his
plan that either Of them shall have the senatorship
e-en il by their combined efforts Cullom should be
beaten in the Republican caucus in a leci>a IRE
controlled 10y Republican Those who lend
themselves this plan may he rewarded with State
patronage and with contin:eE; promises Of Federal
Jobs. hut the Governor has marked the scnaiorslp
for his
II looks as il former Governor Yates had.
speak. caught on I" present Governor pencens in
e.ni"us devices and is ahou, ready retire from
III" competition Ia try for the prize lines per
iaps parallel I" but independent of D.n.enis Re-
iusal IF his demand that the opposition CulI"n
h. concentrated in himself alone seems TO have shed
great light into the soul ~ Yates. and compelled
benc"n /" show s"mcihin: Of his hand sooner than
lie desired Very likely tine Governor will have to
hunt another mole. bnd:,r Than Yates To help in
his plan Of undermining Culi"n.
But. n" matter what recruits he MAY w!n I;nv-
ern"r bcneens plan Is too shallow. I, cannot win.
II his un>aii>ii"d ambition world rlimh 4" Cu.in,ns
place. he must attack CunIl in the open before he
can pull him down. The underground attack the
sappinS and mining siege. might succeed IL they
could he carried on in the dark until the critical
moment. Bur they are already half exposed
Cu"m is strong in intrigue. hut not !nvincbe
If Icn"en wants 10 rurn him down and take the
s"!Is "f victory. his promising 10 de-
clare himself a candidate for the Senate without
delay. and cllal!cngr Mr.. Cullom show cause why
his >cryi.. i'll the Senate should bc extended 10 the
thirty years of Benton aud Of CockrclI The State
Fair In Springfield this week presents favorable
occasion for such declaration II II is to he made
at all. Republican politicians Of all factions from
all parts Of the State. gathered. there and il
would tone up Illinois Icrublicanism nightly II
they We're given something 20 talk about. 10 think
about and I" d" other than the low 'rickery Of pull
ing small wires and trading patronage State or
Federal
The Western Republican revolt against the rob
her!.s Of the Inglcy tariff and the sudden upspring
Ing Of the reciprocity issue have compelled Mr. Gull
ln. reluctantly, TO review his record on the tariff
and I'iar';"dly. to declare his present position on
th">. questions. II only fair but polite for
any Republican vino would he bis rival to make
equally frank declarations. Mr.. D.nccn has been
divide th. Republican party. and it would lie con
vcnlent for him 10 ." hs'lcin: ana sayin: moth
ing for year fifteen months longer: but 10 gain
voc. til. eleventh hour will bc too lst. The
opposition !" iTll"m ana his machine will have
.ry Slalliz.i around other ccn,ers
Eut Governor Deneen lacks the courage for $.
hold a dcclarati"u may. in fact. he conscious OF
lacking the m.ri; support It, Th. politicians in
Springfield moi likely 10 I've startled by anythin.
NOR" violent than chang. Of front ~ the part
"f Mates pckrrin: for the barrier and sale OF
pcmocrat rises u, ami challenges Cullorn in N.
open. The next senator from Illinois viii b.. Cu-
Iona a Democrat: and IL" isn't likely 10 he Cu!lorn