The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-10-24
DEMOCRATIC POT-POURRI
(By A. T. Edmonston.)

thusiastic conference the Democratic
State Committee, the women's auXll-
larry and the party leaders of both
sexes had here Tuesday, Oct. IA, Dem
ocratic and independent electors OF
Missouri are beginning to manifest a
keen interest in the composition of the
State ticket they will vote for next
November, 1920, and put over the
plate with a record plurality. The
word has gone over the State that all
Democratic factions, wings and ele-
ments are in perfect accord on all
State issues of any consequence ana
that the next step toward keeping the
harmony ball rolling is to select a
ticket at the August primary "hich
will prove acceptable to all true-blue
Missourians.
The spirit of the Democratic pow
WOW and love feast, as generally eN-
pressed, was that an Overwhelming
party victory was in sight for the next
election if all State warehouses; OF De-
mocracy and the rank and file worked
together with long strong pull.
The record Governor F. D. Gard
ner has achieved in making his admin
istration, not alone an economical,
hut. also. a highly efficient one, IN
Guiding the brilliant coup of paying
State deficit of over $2,0O0OOO,
small portion dating back years, but
which assumed high proportions dur
ing the four years that the "mySter-
ions stranger" ran the affairs of Mis-
souri with a full and uncontrolled
hand. was one of the favorite topics OF
the conference and gave rise to, the
oninion that he ought TO be drafted
to make the race for United States
Senator, and be given the nomination
at the primary Of next August WIN
out opposition.
While other senatorial possibilities
received consideration and their merits
and chances of success were treely
discussed, it seemed to be the consen-
sus of opinion that Governor Gardner
was the man of the hour.
The merits and chances of the var
ious possibilities for the Democratic
nomination for Governor were gwen
the attention due such an important
tonic. On the ground were Democrats
who favored handing this plum TO
Lieutenant Governor Wallace Cross
lev of Warrensburg, pointing to ms
brilliant record, first, as State Sen
ator. and, as presiding officer over
the Senate during the sessions Oh
1917 and 1919 as a reason for their ac-
Invites in behalf of their candidate:
Friends of Rolla Wells, the Worlds
Fair Mayor of St. Louis, voiced their
reasons why st. Louis should again
be favored by democracy in selecting
+he next gubernatorial candidate.
That city, it was announced, would
give the ticket majority ranging
from 5000 to 10000, if this honor
was bestowed on this favorite son.
The virtues, capabilities and eff
cheney of DR.. Arthur Nelson of Bunce-
ton. Cooper county, were extolled by
admiring friends. 1t was asserted ne
stood high as citizen in rural Mis-
souri, had an extensive acquaintance
and many friends in the heavy demo-
cratic counties of Central Missouri,
and, therefore, would be pillar of
strength to the ticket if he was ten
dered first honors on the State party
ticket at the August primary
The possible entry of former state
Senator Francis M. Wilson OF Platte
county, now United States Distrlct
Attorney for the Western half OF
Missouri, with headquarters in the
Democratic stronghold of Kansas
CITY. in the race for the gubernatorial
nomination and what effect it would
have on the chances Of success Of
other candidates, was given careful
thought by the assembled gladiators.
Those who started the Wilson boom
at the democratic love feast are re-
sponsible for the assertion that Kan
sas City and Jackson, Platte, Cass,
Rates. Buchanan and two or three
other western Missouri Democratic
counties would go strongly for that
warhorse at the primary if ne got IN
to the contest.
Friends of John M. Atkinson, now
of St. Louis, but formerly of Donl-
phan, Reynolds county, put in many
hours in acquainting all with his
strong points and the other reasons
why the Democrats Of Missouri should
select him at the primary of next Au>
gust as their candidate for Governor.
The records he made while Speaker OF
the House and Representative from
REYNOLDS county few years ago, and
as Assistant Attorney General, and,
H0&lly. as d anu
the Public Service Commission, were
freely aired.
Democrats from jefferson, Perry,
St. Francois, Washington, Ste. Gene
We've. and other counties of the Thir--
tecnth Congressional District, aroused
keen interest in the coming primary
race for Governor by stating they
would unite on Judge Edwin j. Bean
of DeSoto, now member of the State
Public Service Commission, if ne
would consent to allow them to draft
him. 1t was held out by the, Bean
boomers that his efforts in behalf OF
the welfare of the people as member
of that State commission which reg
ulates and controls all public affairs,
including the fixing of rates and
charges, for public service companies
of Missouri, would make him a popu-
lar candidate. Particular attention
was called to his activities for the
citizens of st. Louis in their still
nending controversy with the United
Railway Company, and, it was added,
That this fact alone would cause him to
carry that city at the general cleo
lion of November, 1920, and that
ptoth ox,4,ra nar,