New-York tribune., 1905-03-21
THE MISSOURI sEN4roRsHIP,

The Missouri Legislature is TO be congra'u-
lated on its choice Of a United States 0eh".o-
Major William Warner. elected on ealurua!
after two months deadlock, is Mt successor
10 Francis NJ Cockren. He has experience ca
nacity and character. He stands for whaI Is
hest in the Republican organization, winch ul-
1,mnbed. rather unexpectedly, at the polls lasC
autumn He is identified with the forces whlcn
make for progress in Missouri politics. Though
an ardent Republican he is not a narrow minded
nartisan He has the breadth and equipment
necessary for public leadership, and In his new
Office he can be counted on TO give service ol
which all Missourians may be proud
Major Warner has long been recognized as
ono of the worthiest representatives OF RepuDh-
canism in the Southern and border States.
Though born in Wisconsin and serving through
the war in the Union army, he has been resi-
dent of Missouri for nearly forty years. Set
ting in Kansas City when it was hardly more
than a village, he made its fortunes his own
and has had an active part in its life and
growth He was successfully City Attorney,
Circuit Attorney and Mayor in the period be
tween 1857 and 1878 From 1882 to 1885, and
again from 1898 to 1905, he was United States
District Attorney for the Western District of
Missouri. From 1885 to 1889 he represented the
Kansas City district in Congress. In 1892 he
was the Republican candidate for Governor.
f1E D&s DeSU Il utltSdle u manly IcpADiANdn Ia
1ioaaI conventions, and IN 1SSSlS9 he served as
the commander in chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic. On the retirement of Colonel
Ware as Commissioner Of Pensions last winter
President Roosevelt offered the vacant post TO
Major Warner, but the latter preferred to re-
tain the federal attorneyship for Western Mis-
souri,. Possibly he saw then a chance TO win
lie Senatorship, which has now come TO him,
not so much through his own efforts through
me recognition by both factions at Jefferson
City of his exceptional eligibility as a compro-
mise candidate.
II Missouri is 10 be congratulated on the ex-
cellence of the choice finally made, the Republi-
can party in Missouri is equally TO be congratu-
lated On having escaped an exhibition of fla.
grant incompetence. Coming into power some
what 70 their own astonshment, the Republican
members Of the legislature seemed in danger OF
forgetting the duty they owed to the voters who
elected them. Personal and factional disputes
8 were allowed to loosen the bonds of party dis.
clpine, and until the last day Of the session
leadership in Missouri threatened to succumb "a
the folly and feebleness which have afflicted
leadership In Delaware. Happily that misera ble
example OF facuonalism was avoided and an
election was accomplished which gave satisfoc
tion to all
The Missouri leaders will do well. however 70
discourage the spirit of selhshness and insuh
ordination which kept the joint assembly So
long deadiocked. Southern and border state
Republicans, not often intrusted with politico
power, do not seem TO be able TO realize ,ts re
sponsibilities. They are reluctant to submit :,
discipline or TO acknowledge the claim of n fair
Iy won majority nomination In Delaware fac
tionaiism is chronic. In Maryland and In Ken
tucky the same spirit has been unduly shown
the last two Republican Senators from thos
States having been chosen after deadlocks al
most as obstinate that just ended in Mis-