The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1910-12-15
Local Democratic Disaster

city elcCllOu ooSS "
charges of fraud made by Democratic
leaders. But we are open for con-
viction. We hold no brief for the Re-
publican administration. If the Dem
ocrats are convinced that frauds have
been committed they will serve the
public by taking steps to expose the
facts.
But we assure the Democrats that
the cause of Democratic disaster In st.
Louis cannot be charged wholly to
Republicans. The worst enemies OF
rhe Democracy in this are not outside,
but inside, the party. They are not
Republicans, but wear the livery and
assume the label of Democrats. The
obstacle to party growth and success
and the greatest menace to the demo-
cratic cause is the democratic party
organization. The local democracy is
cursed by the control of combination
Of rough necks and silk-stockings.
The silk-stockings represent the in
terests which want protection or favor
at the city hall, and the rough-necks
want the spoils. Whenever results
have been gained there has been a
fair division between the two, but un-
der the deadly influence of the COM
bine, party success and the substan
tial results which follow it have van
ished.
The rough-necks haye been in con-
troll of the party organization. The
funds have been supplied by the in
terests. The party committee has
been dominated by men whom self
respecting democrats with regard for
either party or public welfare could
not support. They have dictated
tickets, splitting them between few
respectables at the top and lot of
disreputables below the top. They
forced the election of members of the
house Of delegates who formed Doodle
combines and turned that legislative
body into a den of thieves. They
packed certain justices courts with
spoilsmen who made the administra-
ton of justice for the poor by-word
and reproach. They turned the
processes of the court into collection
agencies and the instruments of
sharks. They sent lobbyists and
boodlers to the state legislature. They
debased every Office they could
seize.
The continued decay and demoriza-
ton Of the democratic party of this
city may be traced directly to the in
huence of this combine. 1t has been
marked by falling off in the demo-
cratic vote and the consequent defeat
OF democratic candidates. At every
election not only independent voters
and independent newspapers, but self
respecting democrats, found themsel-
YES impelled to denounce democratic
leadership and a large proportion of
uemocratic candidates. The revolt |
against the degradation of the party
reached climax in the municipal
election Of two years ago, when local
republican leaders, having recently
pfohted in the election of state officers
Oy democratic disgust and apathy, |
snfewdly took advantage of the party's
situation to capture the entire city ad-
minishation.
Ahe combine was strong contrib
Jung cause to the overwhelming dis
aS'ei OF the recent election. One
neeo only read the roster of the demo-
S.auc city committee and the record
v us conduct to realize its potency to
: 'e democrats out of the party and
Neep tnem from the polls. The sole
.OnceFn :. OF the committee was to find
alseis' The organization was sold
us highest bidder. It's chairman
:, .1Oncaiiy admitted its subservience to
money power. The committee
!, - controlled by a group of four sa-
keepers, one of whom was con-
"e.ed of boodling; two notorious
sis Oh gangs" and lobbyist. 1t
-, - incapable of leading a party to
w