The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-11-24

Gardner's plurality for Governor of
about LOO looks like a close shave,
and it will, therefore, be interesting
to review a number of previous CUB
ernatoriaI campaigns in Missouri, in
which the successful candidate either
got through by a small majority. or,
as in many instances, by considera-
BILE minority.
In 1856, Trusten Polk was elected
Governor, receiving 46,993 votes,
while other candidates for Governor
received 68,207. In 1857. R. M. Stew
art received 1876 and his opponent,
j. S. Rollins, received 1854, so Stew
art got in by only 1874 votes In 1860,
G. F. Jackson received 74,446 and his
opponents S2,129, Jackson's votes be-
ing 1858 less than his opponents. In
1884, j. S. .Marmadulxe was elected by
majority of 500 votes. In 1888, D.
r. Francis received 255,764 votes,
while his opponents received 262,358.
Francis was elected, although in the
minority by 1884 votes. In 1892, w.
]. Stone received 265,044 votes, while
his opponents received 276,038, Stone
being in minority of 1894. In
1908, Hadley received 355,532 votes,
and his opponents 359,7S2, Hadley be-
ing 1850 in the minority. In 1912,
Major received 337, 001 votes, while
his opponents received 362,191, Ma
ior falling short Of his competitors
by 25,172.
In this connection, it may be inter-
esting to review some of the notable
Incidents connected with the Gardner
campaign.
About November 1, 1915, Gardner
announced his purpose to become a
candidate for Governor Shortly af-
forwards the newspapers stated
Champ Clark and Joseph w. Folk
probably would be candidates and
about the same time Barker, Lindsey,
Painter, Houchin, and others an
nounced themselves as candidates for
the Democratic nomination. Gardner
withdrew from the race about the
middle Of December, as it looked too
much like "Kilkenney" fight for
him.
At the Jackson Day banquet, Jan
uary, 1916, all the respective candi-
dates were present and made speeches
V
the preference and added that, in the
event that no other entered the race,
he would become a candidate within
30 days. Folk had developed consid-
cradle strength throughout the State
but was hesitating about entering the
race.
Early in February Folk announced
he would not be a candidate, and i'm
mediately afterward Gardner re-en-
tered the race, much to the chagrin
and indignation of the other candi-
dates, who looked upon him as an in
terloper trespassing upon the rights
of the professional politicians. Gard
ner Immediately became the target of
all the other candidates.
Vandiver entered soon after Folks
withdrawal, but Gardeners rush to the
front was so spectacular that Vandi-
yer withdrew, leaving Barker, Lind
sey, Houchin, Painter, Roach and At
kinson still active contenders. The
primary campaign was extremely ac-
tive and, on the part of some of the
candidates, extremely bitter against
Gardner.
The Anti-Saloon League entered the
campaign, and made demands upon
all the candidates to pledge support to
bill which would exempt a prohibi-
ton measure from the provisions of
the referendum. The Anti-Saloor
League had an inflated opinion of its
political influence, by reasons Of the
results of the st. Joseph Convention
where Rumsey was defeated for Ma
tional Committeeman. The League
claimed credit for this and through ite
newspaper, "The American ISSUE"
threatened Gardner with defeat
claiming it controlled So counties CT
the State.
The league also stated that several
Of the candidates had agreed to sign
this bill and denounced Gardner be-
cause he stated that he would no
sign any bill which would deprive the
people Of the right to pass upon leg
islation according to law. The league
paper published photographs of dem
Johns and hollow canes, which it was
claimed, had been used by Gardner as
presents for his customers. 1t also
said he had made practice of ship
ping liquor into dry counties in collins.
These statements, although untrue,
had considerable effect.
Sixteen Methodist ministers signed
letter presumed to have been pre-
pared by the Anti-Saloon League.
This letter repeated the charges made
by the league and practically endorsed
them. Rev. Elmer T. Clark of the
Shaw Avenue Methodist Episcopal
church Of st. Louis was especially ac-
tive against Gardner and predicted po-
litical disaster for him.
Gardner, however, developed great
strength and it soon became evident
that he would win in the primary by
considerable majority. This he
did
The regular campaign for the Gov
ernorship now began, Gardner having
received the Democratic nomination
and Lamm the Republican nomination.
Lamm made very energetic canvass,
charging Gardner with having indors-
ed the Major administration and MAX