The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-10-13

both OF the lNtletatofe WHO
wore honestly In favor OF these mtaE
ures were compelled TO weakly sur.
rcndeg their judgment and for par.
tissn purposes Join with the majority.
Lobbyists stIll Control.
And that this domination OF the
Democratic party by the lobbyists OF
tho railroads and other special in
terests stiil continues Ia forclbly dem.
oiastrated IN the organisation OF the
Democratic state committee. The
very same men who successfully de-
feated measures IN the last general
assembly dominated m the organi-
zation OF the Democratic state com.
nittee.
We have heard considerable In this
campaign about "Cannonism" being
one OF the political issues upon which
the people viii have to decide. But
Al issue Of far more importance TO
the people Of Missouri IL the issue OF
"ShAnnonism."
Gerrymanderina Of Districts.
There is another question that
bears a direct relation to the ques-
ton 10 which / have referred, and
which IL o important than any
controversy as to national politics
which confronts the people OF this
state, and that Is the question OF the
acknowledgment OF the Republican
voters OF Missouri. I believe that tho
great majority OF the people OF this
state. irrespective OF party. believe
In a square deal in public life. in basi
ness life. and In politics, a. II has
been advocated aud established By
Theodore Roosevelt And yet Wa
find here in the state OF Missouri =
condition existing by which the vote
Of one Democrat, when II comes 10
the election Of a Congressman or OF
a state senator. il equal TO the vote
OF WI Republicans: and the result IL
that one-half OF the Republicans Of
the state. in 80 far a. the election OF
those officials is concerned. are as
completely disfranchised as II they
were denied the right 70 vote at all.
In order that this condition may
be brought 10 the attention Of the
people. and they be given an oppor-
tunity TO bring about It's correction
by direct vote. initiative petitions
were signed by nearly $1,000 OF the
legally qualified voters Of Missouri
] asking that a plan for ths redistrict.
ing Of the state IN 4 fair and just man.
nor be submitted n the next general
election. Upon the EubterfgEe that
such an amendment to the state con-
~stitution would be unconstitutional.
the secretary Of stsss, under the Sd
vice Of tho attorney general. refused
10 accept these petitions for Ming. And
four members Of the supreme court
by a political decision. in complete
harmony with the record OF tina court
upon political questions. sustained this
unwarranted assumption OF author
ity. But this question. nOtwtthstAnd-
ing this decision. comes before the
people for discussion and final decis-
ion. For Il will b. the duty OF the
next legislature 20 divide this state
into senatorial and congressional dis
tricts. As Il Is now. the Republicans
could carry Missouri by 10000 major
ity and the state senate would sull
continue two-thirds Democratic. and
over half OF the congressman would
be Of that party.
I have seen the defense offered that
unfairAess characterized the division
Of other states into congressional and
senatorial districts. That may be
true. / am confident however, that
no such outrageous abuse OF power
a be found In any other state "a
that which obtains here. But is there
a Democrat in this audience who
would be willing TO Justify and con.
unue the present unfair. dishonest
and unconstitutional gerrymander OF
this state into senatorial and congress
sional districts upon the plea that
Republicans have been guilty OF sim,
liar acts Of unfAipess ehewhere1 II
Is As much for the benefit OF the Dem.
oerats as Il IL for the Republicans
that this condition shouh be correct
ed. because. from such a dishonest
Eerrymander OF the statB you cannot
get honest representation with sen
ators elected by such a method. YOU
Will secure a body dominated a. thi,
body has been dominated by the rep
resentatives Of the Rpec-tzl interests
- 80 NNNNA afAANN WAN NN.lAlNNNFM q
representatives who reAlRrsd thst theft
continuance in office was d~cprndcn,
upon a continuance Of pubic conn
dsnee and approval. you wouh move
have feund such a record 81 bills "a
be interest Of the psopA, ahamelessly
defeated as can be found In the rec
esd Of this body for the last two
pears. n you want Legislation In the
peoples interest. free from tho dom
ihRton OF special interests, you must
have Legislators elecSsd by honest
nsthods, vhOae tiug bo office read,
clear from the beginning TO the end
Perhaps the present state Repub
iieau administrator Ia costing q few
dollars more than a slou.H0ing Dem
oeratie administration would cost, buI
II Is accomplishing a vast zeal more
and making II much easier for tai
nnWara 70 INA fha -. nA..-