The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-07-26
PARKS LETTER

Jefferson City, Mo-, July 15.--Gov.
Gardner today in a letter to Peyton
A. Parks of Clinton declared that he
would support Senator Wiley in the
August primary for the Democratic
senatorial nomination to succeed him
self
The Governor said that he had
known Senator Wiley long time
and that he was thoroughly patriotic
and a loyal Missourian
The Governor made public the fol-
lowing correspondence between him
and Parks.
The Governor has received the fol-
lowing letter from the Hon. Peyton A.
Parks of Clinton, Mo-, and attaches
herewith a copy of his reply to the
same:
"Clinton, Mo-, July ~, 191S.-Gov.
Frederick D. Gardner, Jefferson City,
Mo-: My Dear Governor-The situa-
ton which has arisen in the pending
campaign for the Democratic nomina-
ton for United States Senator dis.
turbs and tends to alarm. As view
1t, false issues have been injected, and
the acrimonious discussion ensuing
tends to destroy unity Of sentiment
and thought and action among our
people. and to result harmfully to all
your splendid efforts as war Cover
NOR in keeping Missouri to the front
IN all war activities. Such dissension
and discussion, II continued, tends to
t injury of the Democratic party. as
well as Of our state and nation.
Public Charges.
II have noted charges in public
print, rejecting on the Americanism
of Senator x. P. Whitley, United States
Senator, under appointment by you.
based on his joining In the socalled
peace telegram to the President. and
also charges calculated to produce
the impression Of sympathy for Ger
many on the part Of Ex-Gov. Joseph
w. Folk.
''The effect Of these charges is I'M
Just. for no sane man believes that at
any time have either Senator Whitley
or Gov. Folk been less than 100 per
cent American. We all know that both
these men are loyal to the core. and
that there is no basis for imputation
against either Of them.
"The only effect Of such charges ia
to weaken the nominee in the general
election, and as a humble Democrat,
holding no office and wanting none,
would like to enter a protest against
such charges against either Of these
distinguished Democrats.
81 thought of writing an article on
this line to the st. Louis Republic,
for have been a continuous reader
of that paper for IS years. but am not
acquainted with the management and
am not fond of the limelight, so
have concluded to write you this let
ter and one on similar lines to Hon.
Ewing Y. Mitchell. the close personal
friend Of Gov. Folk.
Knowing your intimate personal
relations with Senator Whitley and
the statements made by you at the
time you appointed him, also recalling
that you acted so fairly and Justly in
the matter of calling a special election
for senator a. an early date and long
before you were legally required to.
for the purpose Of permitting any one
desiring to become candidate at the
primary to do SO. I feel, and am sure
that the good people Of the state feel.
that your attitude In the matter has
been so candid and fair that your help
at this time will be appreciated and
very reassuring. Therefore. l am TAX
ing the liberty to ask you for your
advice and assistance to the end that
our party and country may not be In
jured by unfair charges and by d.
vided sentiment.
Faith In Both Men.