The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-05-14
TO NOMINATE GOV. GARDNER
THROUGH ELECTORS
(By A. 7. Edmonston.)

with the laudable opinion that the
1920 party State ticket can be great
ly strengthened thereby, to draft and
nominate Gov. Frederick d. Gardner
for United States Senator at the Au-
gust primary, irrespective Of his pres
ent wishes. The way to achieve this
coup d. etate is pointed out and if the
program is carefully carried uot the
end will justify the means.
In statement given out just be-
fore the Joplin convention, Missouri's
big Chief Executive announced he was
not candidate for the Senatorial
honor and would not be. While he
meant every word he promulgated
then to Missouri Democracy and he
has not undergone change of opin-
ion since, political conditions have al
tered their aspects to such an extent
that it is generally felt and believed
now that with his big record of eff
4 ficiency and achievement he is the
man of the hour to lead the 1920 tick
ct to the biggest victory the party
has ever experienced in this common
wealth.
How to Nominate Gov. Gardner
1t is pointed out by the Democrats
who are behindithe plan of nominal
ing Gov. Gardner for United States
Senator on the Democratic ticket that
the way to do is to write his name in
on the party ballot at the August pri-
mary. The method is plain and sim
pie and all that is needed is a good
lead pencil, but it will take the votes
of 1000 Democratic electors to ac-
complish the gigantic task and do it
so well that no one can dispute or find
fault with the result This plan is
legal and within the scope of all ma
tional and State election laws. When
in the polls on primary day call for a
Democratic ticket and in the blank
space at the top under the caption of
"For United States Senator" slowly
and clearly write in the name Erred
erick d. Gardner" And the task, as
far as each individual Democratic vot-
er is concerned, is completed. If 1907
1000 Democrats of Missouri do this,
Gov. Gardner will, through the indi-
vidual and personal choice of a ma
jority of the electors of Missouri vot-
ing at the primary, become the party
choice for United States Senator.
But to make the vote count it will
be necessary for each voter to delete
the names of all other candidates for
the same honor. This is done by
drawing a thick, heavy line through
all other names so that there is no
doubt as to the intention of the cleo
tor.
Harry B. Halves Will Not Run
, From Major Harry B. Halves of St.
| n11ic onp1ac tho fipaI a,oJ JaHYitn m
, nouncement that he will not be Dem
ocratic candidate for the Senatorial
nomination in 1920. He is the recog-
, nized wet leader of Democracy in
Missouri. Lawyer Charles M. Hay Of
st. Louis, formerly Representative
3 from Galloway county, the leading
Democratic dry champion of Missou-
ri, sometime ago stated he was not
. seeking senatorial honors in 1920 but
that he might enter the contest in
5 1922. The neutral attitude of the
Joplin convention on the question of
prohibition failed to hold out any In.
ducements or encouragement for him
, to undergo a change of mind. Demo-
Gratis who favor drafting Gov. Gard
ner as the party nominee for United
States Senator have talked to the
hackers of both Halves and Hay and
all are of the opinion that Gov. Gard
, ner is the logical man to make the
race and that they will heartily aid
in the movement to bring it about
The nomination of Gov. Gardner
, through the unanimous choice and col
lective action of 100000 Democratic
electors, would leave the wet and dry
tissue where it now is, in the United
States Supreme Court, pending final
, decision as to it's constitutionality, and
playing no part, for the present, in
the game of party politics.
Why 10000 Votes Are Needed
At the August primary, 1916, Mis-
: souri, Democracy to make Gov. Gard
2 lner the Democratic nominee for Gov
ernor, cast total of 235,000 votes.
1t is predicted that at least 100000
Democratic votes will be cast at the
primary of next August. To make
J the nomination of Gov. Gardner for
Senator huge achievement the vote
for the cause ought to be at least
100000. Such popular tribute paid
a deserving Missourian would give the
State tremendous publicity as being
a commonwealth in which the masses
do things worth while.
Those Democrats who favor the
proposition say it can be done and
would merely constitute a big move
ment on the part of Missouri Democ-
Tracy to fittingly reward State Of
fetal for his efficiency while in Of
flee and for re-establishing the form
er high financial standing of the
State through paying in less than
three years treasury deficit of over
$2,500,000, dating back fifteen years,
but which did not assume gigantic
proportions until nearly the close Of
the four year-period, commencing with
1909, when the mysterious stranger
had charge of the executive affairs Of
1.-THE State. aE
1t is further pointed out that such
an accomplishment as naming man
flor high honor on the State ticket
solely through popular vote would
forever establish the high value and
lpower of the primary system, effectu.
Tally for all time squelch all opposi-
Ition to it, and emphatically demon.
strate that Missouri is still governed
by the people, and not by political