The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-09-26
LIBERALIFY TOWARDS THE UEFoR-
TuNATH.

LUNALha
Under Democratic rule. the eleemosy-
nary institutions Of the State have like
wise grown with the public demand
-Four great asylums, equipped according
to the best modern scientific knowledge,
furnish hospitals for those mentally
afflicted and homes for the incurably
insane. A school for the Predetermined
has been founded, where, BY careful
training and special attention. many OF
those unfortunates who otherwise
would be a charge upon the community,
are prepared to take their places in the
various walks of life. Reform schools
for both boys and girls have been pro-
vided, that the youthful offender, for
whom there is still hope, may not be
confined with the hardened criminal
The penitentiary, under Republican rule
a charge upon the taxpayer of the
State, has been made practically self
supporting.
Not only has democracy built up
these great institutions, but the in
terests of the people have been fos-
tered by wise and benefcent laws
passed under Democratic ~administra-
tons.
sPKcIFIosLAws IN BEHALF OF LABOR.
No state in the union has more
carefully or conscientiously sought to
improve the conditions of the labor
ing man than Democratic Missouri.
Child labor has been prohibited. The
hard rule of the English common law
that prevented the injured party from
recovering compensation where the
negligence was that of a fellow SER
vant has been modified to meet the
changed conditions of modern ciyili-
zation. The inspection of mine and
factory gives greater security to life
and improves the conditions under
which so many of our fellow men
must work. Inspection of food and
boards of health are improving the
conditions under which we live. The
inspection of banks, building and loan
associations and insurance companies
has given a security to savings and
investments not heretofore known.
The regulation of railroad rates, while
not yet satisfactorily worked out,
gives 70 the farmer and the merchant
hope Of transportation at a fair cost.
HOME RULE IN THE CITIES.
The problem Of the cities is always
with us. 1t is the serious and I'M
solved problem of the age. In those
communities where men are crowded
together, and life so frequently de-
ponds on the days work, government
presents conditions unknown to the
freer life of the country districts.
From the city government has come
the boss, a product of modern times,
and the most difficult character that
confronts the statesman dealing with
an electorate based on universal suf-
frage. The Republican platform an
u it favors the principle of
home rule for the cities, and possibly
former Democratic platforms have
made similar pronouncements.
/ have never agreed with those who
would put the police force Of a great
city wholly under the control of local
authorities. The general public di-
vides its vote along lines Of political
principles, The law breaker and those
seeking special fayors at the hands of
the police will always be able to unite
for personal advantage and protection;
we cannot afford to make the control of
the police force of our cities a prize
to be won by such a combination.
Aside from their pride in them, the
people of the State have a direct in
terest in the prosperity and good gov
eminent of our great cities. They are
the markets through which our prod
ucts must reach the world. They are
the marts of trade that furnish us
the articles we demand. Their streets
are walked by the citizens Of every
county, and the security of life, and
property, and preservation of health
in the cities is a matter of direct in
terest to every community in the
State.
These police officials are officers of
the State enforcing its laws, as well
as the laws of the city, and it is best
alike fer city and country that some
power over them be reserved in the
State.
EFFICIENT NON : POLITICAL POLICE
FORCE PROMISED.
One thing above all others must be
recognized if a police force is TO be
efficient-it must be kept out of poll
tics. The individual policeman has
the same right as any other citizen
to his party preference, but on duty
he must be a peace officer, and not a
partisan. When the force becomes
an adjunct Of a political machine, both
the police and the party are corrupted
by the power it wields,
If | am elected Governor of this
State, no police force in any city UNI
der a board appointed by me win be
used to control an election or permit
ted to exercise its power for the benefit
of either party at the polls or any fac
ton at a primary.
HOME RULE A SOP TO ADVOCATES
OF SUNDAY SALOON.
/ charge here and now that the
home rule plank in the Republican
platform was put tn e for a specific
purpose, and that purpose was to
counteract the promise made in the
next lines of the platform, that the
saloon should be closed on Sunday.
l had supposed the policies of both