Mexico Missouri message., 1909-01-21
PLEDGES HONEST ELEc-
TONS, HOME RULE AND
REGULATION OF THE
LIQUOR TRAFFIC..
NO STEPPING BACKWARD
Law Enforcement to Be Main
Feature of Administration
Need of Better Educa-
tonal System Is
Seen.

In taking the oath OF office aa the chief
executive officer OF this great state. !
wish 10 express TO the people OF Missouri
my sincere appreciation for the honor
they have conferred upon me, and my
full realization OF the responsibilities that
I today assume, In the performance OF
the duties OF the offlce OF governor. my
sole ambition and desire will DO to con-
tinue to deserve the confidence and APP
proval OF the people OF Missouri
Pledges Home Rule.
IL has been truthfully said that the
problem Of the cities Is not only n ques-
ton that h always with us. but Il is one
OF the most difficult problems with which
we, as people. have TO deal. II has
been charged. on the one hand. that mu-
nicipal government In this country Is the
only conspicuous failure OF our civillza-
ton, and. on the other hand. there are
those who assert that there are no evils
incident to municipal affairs that democ-
raoy or home rule will not cure.
But whatever may be the truth In ref
erence 20 these assertions. the party that
have the honor 90 represent stands
pledged 70 give home rule TO the people
OF the large cities OF the state. and that
promise, In so far as l can accomplish,
will be faithfully kept.
There should be, as a part OF any home
rule measure that may be enacted. a
provision for carefully devised civil
service and merit system by which the
honest aud efficient police officer may be
assured OF his position as against any
political influence
This will remove tho motive md the
tendency Of the police departments to
participate In, or to permit themselves TO
be used In political contests. There will
be presented to you. bills which will rep
resent my views and the views OF my
party upon these questions. and to these
measures ! invite your careful and un-
preJudiced consideration.
The Saloon In Politics.
IL Is automatic that TO conduct a aA-
loon Is a privilege which the law confers
and not natural right that any indi-
Vidual enjoys. And II ought 20 be ac-
oepted without question that the saloons
and liquor interests must obey the laws
OF the state, whatever those laws may
BE. So long as the state undertakes TO
deal with this traffic by regulation and
not by efforts at suppression II should
eliminate as far as possible the evils In
cident thereto. The active participation
OF the representatives OF these interests
In political Affairs for the purpose of
domination and control constitutes, In my
opinion. one OF the evils Incident to this
traffic with which Il Is necessary 10 deal.
IL II. l think, the unquestioned senti-
ment Of the people OF the state that the
representatives of these interests must
not be permitted TO nominate and elect
our public officials Tor their own benefit
and protection. And In order that this
result may be accomplished the brewer
and the distiller should by law be strictly
confined to the business the law permits
When brewer or distlller or whole
ealer OF Intoxicating liquors 10 permitted
directly OF indirectly. TO own or operate
or control dramshops. then there exists
a necessary combination OF power thai
results IN the injury OF the business it,
self and inevitably tends TO pernIclous
and DANGEROUS political activity and in
nuence. The evils incident 10 this con-
dition are 80 many and so manifest that
Il II unnecessary for me TO mention them
today. Legislation striking az this evil
was attempted by the last general as
sembly. but the law then enacted has
failed to accomplish the desired result.
recommend. therefore, that you pass
law which VIII secure the complete
loon the ono from the other.
Legislation should be enacted to meet
this situation. and. In my opinion. every
club. OF any character. which dispenses
state.
Nc Backward step.
There VIII he no backward step during
my administration In the enforcement OF
the laws OF this state with which /, or
those whom appoint to Office, are
charged with the duty OF enforcing. And
all that can legally do win do, In ex-
ecutlon OF my constitutional powers az
chiet executive, to see that other execu-
tive Officers In the various counties and
cities OF the state do what they should
do 70 enforce the laws which come with
In the scope OF their official dutIes
There can be no question OF greater
Importance In our system and form OF
Would enable the people 20 express fair
honestly and intelligently their choice
Il 10 candidates for public office. This
u 9S,s q primary ,r,s a. % general elections
Injecting an election as Il IN OF the mat.
Der OF casting and counting the ballots
themselves. That there have been gross
Vabusas In the conduct OF the elections IN
I the large cities IN this state Il . fact
II well known to all familiar with condi.
lions: Ihat there has been a marked
lions IN the large cities in the last few
1 years should only emphasize the nocea,
atty and importance Of completing thli
important work OF reform
Unless we have honest elections, We al
not have a republican form OF govern.
ment; we do not have "a government ol
the people for the people and by tbs
ppeSSpI ss. - anu tne casting or counting o.
primary or general election 10 lust a,
much OF wrong 20 the people Of IN.
state as y Il 70 the people Of the citie,
themselves. The important influences
towards securing an hOnext eiection h
the large cities must be found In ths
names n which the police and election
OFFICIALS perform their duties.
And 30 Ions as there shall Fent npos
NE the responsibility Of enforcing TN
laws OF this state, ! unreseFvediy pledgl
! you today that everything win be- dom
zen the right TO cast but one ballot an,
have that ballot honestly counted as cast
favor the enactment % a law bl
which the election machinery % the atntl
may be PLACED IN the charge Of bipartisan
boards evenly divided between tbs tWl
political PARTIES, AZ are now the Judge
and clerks ~ eieclion. The necessity 10
such boards 10 conduct the elections Ii
she counties 81 the state II not 10 urRen
a. II u IN the laffe cities o. the state.
earnestly URGE upon you the adoption o
law by which there may be created, Il
each Of the large cities 81 the state.
bipartisan election board. and ! hope 4
SEQ established during the next 4Qu
years such 4 STANDARD % honest Ell
cheney In the conduct 81 our election