The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-21


8 = - ~
are certain OF the Republican Representa-
lives for whom I have personal afrec-
ton, but nevertheless. I say it without
the slightest doubt OF the truth OF the
statement. Perhaps, before the news OF
the Maine election came over the wires,
there might have been faint chance of
the Republicans pulling through one or
two of their stronger districts. as FOR
example, Coudreys. Elvins', or Crows
Their majorities were narrow. bur at
the same time might have been main
tanned by the strong influence which
are back OF these men. They are all
"standpatters." and perhaps for that
reason are doomed TO defeat.
Indeed, the reason why the Repub
lican party in Missouri is going 10 have
no representation 10 speak of in the
Sixty-second Congress is simply because
In that State there is no insurgent senti-
ment which has been able 10 express its
views. In the Northwest ! found feel
ing among the Democrats that the in
surgents were practically stealing Demo
cratic ideas and gathering into their
own ranks Democratic voters.
Down here I find that there seems 20
be no organized movement The effect
Is that the Democrats hold absolute con-
troll, and have no enemy 10 fear.
There is not the slightest doubt about
their electing fifteen out of the sixteen
~ tl-E- l.
the slightest doubt OF the State delega-
ton being for Gov Folk. nor is there
to-day the slightest doubt of the state
Of Missouri returning 70 the position
which II has held for so many years as
one OF the banner Democratic States OF
the Union. l say this without any inten-
ton of speaking as a partisan.
Nothing but Democracy.
From the Northwest I wrote letters IN
which pointed out that that section OF
the country was far from being Demo-
cratic. or from being infected With the
Democratic tone to-day. Here in Mis-
souri, is nothing but Democracy, There
is nothing but Bryan Democracy. if you
wish TO put il so. although Gov. Francis
is easily in the lead as q candidate for
the suffrages OF the voters.
There Is no State in the Union In which
have found so much Bryan sentiment
They hold here that Bryan Is as strong
to-day as he was in the bravest days If
HIS great campaign. have heard no
word OF criticism upon him. Now and
again there has been the question raised
as 70 the wisdom OF his taking the stand
on what Is thought 10 be q rather local
question-namely, that Of county option.
And. indeed. that question Of the regula-
ton OF the liquor traffic is one which will
affect politics in this part Of the country
more than any other one presented 10
the people.
A few days ago the chief talk about
the hotels corridors here was whether
there should be any word said on the
topic In either the Democratic platform
or Republican platform. Both parties
practically ignored it. How this is going
10 affect the voters OF the State is the
first question. How It is going to affect
the influence OF Mr.. Bryan one can only
guess. He has frankly taken his stand
for most radical regulation OF the liquor
traffic. and on that stand he must, to
great extent. base his future fortune.
Two Divergent Feelings.
find here two very divergent feelings
regarding his position. There are many
who think that he is attempting to es-
tablish sumptuary laws. There are others
who hold that he is doing a great work
for the American people by laboring TO
destroy the liquor evil should say,
however, that the great majority OF the
politicians are inclined 10 believe that he
has done the party an injury, while the
great majority of voters think that he
has done both his party and himself
a great service by his recent utterances.
do not find the Commoner lacking
in the places where il has formerly
been. and have not been into my Office
In this part of the country where I was
not asked II had seen its latest edition
This seems TO be significant concerning
the present Bryan strngth. Here. with
all the politicians of the State gathered
together. you could find none who would
say one word against Mr.. Bryan
All of them. from Folk to Jim" Reed,
eulogize him. This means much. II
doesn't mean that there Is any intention
OF having him again for Presidential
candidate. for that is inconceivable, but
il does mean that in this section the in
fluence Of the longtime leader of the
Democratic party which I found to be
waning in the Northwest. Is as strong
as and perhaps stronger than ever.
Copyright 1910. hy Joeerh b. fowles.l