The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-07-09
THE SENATORIAL
COUP DE TAT''

The following article on the Demo-
cratic nomination for United States
Senator is from the Huntsville, Ran
dolph county, Herald, and clearly eX-
presses q growing conviction among
thoughtful Democrats:
1t might be well to consider the
cases of those candidates who are
making the race for the Democratic
nomination for United States Sem
ator from Missouri. Many were sur
prised at the entrance of the eleventh
hour" candidates. Missouri Demo-
Gratis had definitely fixed their minds
upon Breckenridge Long and after the
decision of Champ Clark and Govern
or Gardner not to enter the senatorial
race against him, it was taken for
granted that Long would have no op-
position, these "favorite sons" be-
lieving that he typihed those princi-
Piles Of Democracy acceptable to the
rank and file of the party.
Then came the "eleventh-hour"
candidates-Hay, Priest, Lindsey and
Scruton-and so it becomes the bus
mess Of the people to arrive at some
decision on the situation and to act
accordingly. To begin, everybody
knows that Priest is impossible.
Priest himself knows that. He knew
before he filed that his only hope was
to announce "wet" plank in his pri-
Yate platform, thus drawing Chas. NJ.
Hay, the dry" exponent, into the
fight, hoping thereby to cause di-
vision Of dry votes between Long and
Hay. The Priest interests waited
long and patiently for Maj, Harry
HAYES to enter against Long on a
wet" platform, but Halves was too
keen to make the race on a issue
that had practically ceased to exist,
So the only man to be found who was
willing to take chance on political
suicide was Judge Priest.
As for Lindsey, he has the respect
Of Missouri Democracy, but no
strength. 1t is unnecessary to dwell
on his candidacy. The same will like
wise apply to Col. Scruton. He is d
fine fellow, was a participant in the
recent war, but has no following what
ever, and probably will not carry his
own county.
In considering the case of Chas. H.
Hay, we wish to say that, personally
we admire this man. He is a good
clean fellow and we deplore the cir
cumstances that made him feel the
necessity of getting into the race
After the speech of Breckenridge
Long in st. Louis last April, in which
he openly and Enthusiastically declared
against the return of the saloon, ii
was presumed that Mr.. Hay would not
become a candidate under the circum-
stances, believing that Mr.. Long was
safe candidate, if elected, to depend
upon to carry out the ideas and prin-
eiples which the good people of this
state have fought for so long and val
iantly. In the speech above mentioned
Breckenridge Long declared for the
administration and the League Of Ma.
tions. In fact he made the first speech
in the State of Missouri in defense OF
the League.
Thus, for a time, everything was
calm and serene, and Longs candidacy
took deep root in the Democracy OF
Missouri. But with the advent of the
eleventh hour" candidates an attempt
is being made to revive an issue
which has been finally settled by the
United States Supreme Court. Oh
course, the late entrants counted or
their candidates. causing a stampede
one way or the other. to either Hay OIL