The Washington times., 1908-10-15
POT POLITIC
Is STEPPED WITH MUD
Folks Fight on Stone Brings Senator Into Such Notice
That His "Gumshoe Bil1' Identity Is Taking
- Holland Clod Shape.
QGissOuH Letter, No. BY JOHN SNURE)

his four years Of service as governor
have brought the people little Of prac-
teal value, and that the credit for some
OF the things Folk takes credit for be
longs TO others.
Generally. the machine politicians Of
the state Democracy are lined up Tor
stone but this is not a new experience
Tor Folk, who has fought the machine
element before stone is strong IN the
cities where there is a large liberal ele-
ment while Folk is relying largely on
the rural districts TO help him out. In
MISSOURI are ll5 counties, and OF these
about seventy have gone dry. in supch
counties. naturally, Folk is strong
One OF the troubles OF stone Is that
he seems to have lost something OF his
old fire and energy, and his friends are
though their control of the organization
IN state and county is a great asset
TO them. Stone has to bear the burden
Of that famous remark Of Col. Bill
Phelps. Of Carthage, political attorney
for the Missouri Pacific, who. on being
criticised for certain political work,
sought 70 lay part Of the blame on
Stone by declaring. Bill Stone and me
both suck eggs. but he hides the shells. q"
The senator is no mere able to outlive
this than he is 10 draw away from the
appellation Of 'GumshOe BILL
Inheritance to Fame.
This arose from a remark Of one Of
Stones confrcres at a political confer
euce in St Louis years ago. when he
was seeking the governorship.
The conference was secret and
"GumshOe Bin" slid into Il so silently
as to give rise TO the name be has
never been able to shake loose.
One possibility in the situation Is that
the heat Of factionaIism among the
Democrats will make the Legislature
Republican. The Republican candidates
for the senate are Richard c. Kercns,
Of St Louis; Lieut. Gov. Johl c. Nc
Knley, q relative Of the former Presi-
dent. and John Kenn sah, first assistant
TO Attorney General HadIey. Some talk
is heard that the Democratic nOIdOvers
IN the State senate, numbering half Of
that body, elected In 1905 20 serve until
1910, may refuse to abide by the re-
suits Of the coming primary on the
ground they We're elected long before
II was held.
The contest over the govern0rshiD be-
tween the Republican nominee. Attor-
ney General Herbert s. ,HadIey. and the
Democratic nominee. cX-RcuUescutativ
w. 5. Cowherd. - Kansas City. is also
attracting much notice. Hadley is run
ming on his eXCeIIenr record as attor-
ncy general. part Cularly on his activity
against the Wacers-Pierre Oil Com
pany, q subsidiary Of the Standard.
which he Ouste3 from this State H11-
icy is handicapped by the fact this is
a Presidential year and a big Demo
cratic vote viii he got out. with thc
prospects in favor Of the Democrats
carrying the State. His friends. how
ever, say he has a fighting chance Of
winning. Cowherd won the nomination
away from David Bail. who had strong
rural support, and whose friends charge
COwherds partisans with frauds.
Already numerous indictments have
been returned on charges Of fraud at
St. Louis. OBJECTIONS from COwhcrd on
the part Of the Ball factionists are ex-
peCted TO reduce the Cowherd vote TO
some extent. Folk opposed the COwherd
nomination. but on account Of the Sen
atOTship his followers cannot afford tG
make a fight against COwherd for the
election