The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1912-12-12
Jefferson City Letter.

| SNhNioSA SANyf wv 49, 80 ~
pertinent Of putting new vine in old
bottles is about tc be tried out in
Missouri. It's failure is a iOregone
conclusion.
In few days the first republican
governor elected in this state in forty
years will turn over the reins Of state
government to a democsat and again
this grand commonwealth will be dom
mated by practically the same bour
bonism that held it in check through
four decades. The reversion is not
Of the people but Of the politicians. 1t
came about through division Of the
people resulting from conditions arising
outside OF the state. On state matters
there could not have been a division
other than that which always exists
a division into two contending parties,
the one the old line democracy, the
other the aggressive hos, olrepublicans.
The record OF the republican state
administration would have given
a united republican party the victory
at the late election. The democrats
could not have overcome the favorable
disposition of the people toward the
Republican governor and his policies.
In fact the democrats, unable to op-
pose the propositions advanced by the
republican state administration, ap-
pealed for support on the promise 10
adopt and establish the chief policies
pursued by the republican state ad-
minisuatioD during the past four years.
The democratic state convention
last September committed that party
TO the work OF road building, knowing
that the progress made in that work
cannot be stopped and must be pro
noted. Never before in the history Of
Missouri had that important subject
been seriously considered by a dem
ocralic convention. The same con
vention declared for an organized
immigration system because the work
done under the republican state ad-
mlnistration 10 attract immigrants was
so successful and so popular that it
would have been political folly to ignore
or TO waive serious consideration OF the
demand for an intelligent, effective
immigration system, TO be supported
with public funds. The same con-
vention promised the enactment OF a
law for the regulation OF the rates and
service Of public service corporations
and companies, though a democratic
senate had prevented such legislation
through the four years Of the repub'
lican administration.
So, although the bourbons are com
ing back they are coming under pie dyes
TO follow the example Of a progressive
republican administration Of state al
state affairs. They may not keep that
pledge but they dare not deny the
success, the usefulness and the achieve
ments Of the first republican admins.
tration they have had to confront in
forty years.
Back to bourbonism is the unIor-
tunate prospect just now. Yet it must
be RENE mbered that the crushing de-
feat OF Missouri bourbonism four years
ago broke its defiant spirit; and it should
not be forgotten that the contrast now
between four years Of republican rule
and the preceding forty years oi bour-
bon rule is so striking, so illuminating
and altogether so pleasing to the peo
pie generally that they are apt TO re-
volt at the first outcropping Of the old
bourbon spirit; and if bourbonism does
take the saddle it will ride TO far
more decisive defeat than it suffered
four years ago.
Four years Of republican rule has
lifted Missouri cut Of the mud, has
popularized good state government,
has made a partisan public service in
,olerable and has made progress in
material development imperative. The
new democratic regime will have to
adjust itself to these new conditions or