The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-09-10
Anxious About St. Louis

has been in our midst since the
session Of the Democratic State Con-
vention at Jefferson City. He ex-
planned TO his colleagues that
his absence from Washington
at time when the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations
might be called upon to deal with
the most delicate matters Of nearest
consequence" at any moment was
rendered imperative by statute. AS a
candidate it became his lawful duty to
assist in the drafting Of his party plat
form. 1t was not the inclusion Of
pledges which gave him concern. He
could have safely sent BY mail any
declarations he wished inserted. All
the circumstances indicated that he
was chiefly desirous Of preventing i'm
polite platform deliverances. But
after having calmed the beligerants
and toned the platform down until it
could not jar on the nerves Of the
most sensitive Democrat, the senator
still tarried. He sought to utilize his
diplomatic skill in mediating between
the St. Louis Democratic City Commit
tee and the Major forces, While his
emissary to the commander at Jefer
son City was treated in accordance
with humane principles of civilized
warfare his mission was a failure. The
governor remained obdurate.
The senator has publicly expressed
his qualification over the Democratic
situation in the state. But he has
with equal publicity shown great solici-
tude about the condition Of the party
in St. Louis. This new concern
about St, Louis is the thing that
amazeS the senator's friends, They
recall that heretofore the senator has
shown great Indifference, to use no
stronger term, about St. Louis. The
Democrats OF rural Missouri remember
when he vaunted Of his independence
Of St Louis. At times this indepen-
dence reached the pitch Of outright
hostility. 1t will be difficult for them
to understand why he should spend
several days here, at a time when our
foreign relations are so critical, striving
to persuade the Democratic brethren
that they must dwell in unity for the
party's veal in November. They can
but wonder if this kindlier attitude
grows out OF the general change Of
views and habits which both he and
his friends have been rather assiduous
in proclaiming within the last few
weeks.
Bui there are cynical observers who
take less charitable view. These
were taught by Col. Bill Phelps,
through his famous illustration, to
scrutinize the conduct oil our senior
senator in quest Of shells.
They accept the Battle Creek motto,
There's a Reason" and proceed to
search for it. These observers find in
the senator's strenuous efforts for har'
mony and his lively interest in the
personnel Of the election judges Of St,
Louis an evidence that things are not
as serene out in the state as the sena
tor would have US believe. They
argue that the overwhelming deiea'
Of his enemies in the primary has lef
wounds that may not be healed in
November. The reports that ambit
ious Democrats in sections ignored il
the making Of important federal ap'
pointments have served notice that the
senator must expect his votes from
the communities he has favored
strengthen this theory. Howeve
that may be, the senator is clearly o
the opinion that this is no year 70 TAXI
chances. Globe Democrat