Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-29
The Missouri Senatorship.
The ST. Louis Republic:

1.-The idlest of all talk is that of the pos
sibility of Senator Stones defeat for re-
election through a bolt of democratic
members of the legislature. Missouri
democrats are not in the habit OF COM
hitting political suicide, and if there is
any democratic member who would think
of boiling such instructions as he re-
ceived from his party on November :; he
knows too we'll that the act would mean
political death lasting through the re-
mainder of his natural life.
This is to the point. although political
death lasting through the remainder Of
his natural life has a Dublin twang.
What are the grounds for the talk"
Who are suspected, and why are they dis
satisfied? There was a contest for the
democratic nomination between Gov. Folk
and Senator Stone, and the latter won.
Gov. Folk has not advised a bolt. The
result seems to have been accepted by
him.
If a man wants to disobey instructions
of this character he can trump up an ex-
cuse. The excuse trumpet up for the de-
feat of Gov. Beckham Of kentucky for
senator was that the primary at which
he had been nominated was unfair. But
this sensitiveness was manifested by only
All the others obeyed the orders of the
primary, and supported Gov. Beckham to
the end. Senator McCreary, the defeated
candidate, did not advise a bolt. He ae-
cepted the result of the primary.
The matter may be illustrated by the
situation as respects the presidency. The
electors designated at the polls in Nsvem-
Der have not as yet carried out their in
structions. But their instructions are very
clear, and very binding. When they meet
they are to vote for Taft and Sherman
for the presidency and vice presidency.
respectively. Both men were regularly
nominated. and both were accepted as
the party's nominees.
Now what would be thought if SONG Of
the republican electors were to announce
purpose not to obey their instructions?
Suppose a bolt should be threatened. on
the score that the election was not fairly
conducted, and reference be made to
democratic charges that money was used
to corrupt the electorate and intimidation
employed In the manufacturing centers.
Does anybody believe that such an act
would be permitted: OF course 1t would
not be. No elector would dare do such
ne DdTe threat WOulQ DF1uS
such a warning to him as would show
him his duty past all further question.
An equal obligation bears upon iegisla-
tors in the matter of a senatorship.
Where they have been formally instruct
ed they are in honor bound to obey. They
have accepted office with the knowledge
of what is expected of them in the sena-
torial election. The man Is named. He
is not merely recommended. 1t is not
in their province to go behind the re-
turns, and with one excuse or another de-
feat the wishes of the majority as ex-
pressed at the polls in their own cleo
tons.
The republicans of Missouri have not
conceded control of the legislature to
the democrats on joint ballot. Some con-
tests are threatened, and they may turn
the scale. But If it shall appear that the
democrats are in the majority, Senator
Stone will be by every right entitled to
reelection. He is his party's nominee.