The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-10-14
THE LAST STRAW

| Mr.. Hyde in action is the source
of much amusement to the people of
| the state. His petulance, when
crossed; his nonchalant and airy con-
tempt for facts, when engaged in
public discussions; his indifference to
ordinary considerations of propriety
and public morals; lis narrowness
and stupid craftsmanship, are all more
or less apt to arouse the risibilities
of the public, as the months run OH
and each day multiplies the Govern
or's weaknesses. His ways are be-
yond belief and his ideas of public af-
fairs are astounding. Yet it cannot
be forgotten that he is the Governor
of Missouri.
During the first session Of the leg
islature, the dashing cocksureness of
Mr.. Hyde in his ventures upon imror-
tant subjects of policy dazzled for
awhile, but when the depth of his ig-
norance became known and the eX-
tent to which he was prone to hasty
action, without any manner of in
quiry or consideration, became appar-
ent, Hyde's methods of dealing with
the business of the state inspired dis
gust and apprehension among the
people. His arbitrariness and I'M
willingness to seek intelligent coun-
sci, his lack of any measure of toll
erance toward those who encountered
adversely his plans. all contributed
to the growing belief that he consti-
tuted menace to the state.
/! His contempt for the taxpayers,
displayed by the ligh-handed way in
which he countenanced and encour-
aged extravaganza in the legislature,
and the summary fashion in which
he dictated the increase of valuations,
served as additional suggestions Of
the dangers resting in the rule OF
such a governor.
He manifested such an astonishing
amount of spleen toward Democratic
officials, commissioned under the law
for fixed periods, that he brooked no
thought of tolerating their existance
for an instant. At first, through a
supple and pliable emissary, McCaw-
ley, he tried to offer exchanges of
places to different men, so as to facil-
itate the development of his consol.
idation plan, whereby he hoped to rule
the state indefinitely. When this
failed he howled and prosecuted.
Elected by Democratic votes, he
has eschewed Democrats wherever he
encountered them. Even to the pur-
chase Of goods for the mansion, he
instructed his household to buy moth
ing from Democratic business men.
1t is even reported that the heads of
State institutions have been told not
to receive bids from certain establish
ments, known to be owned by DEM
ocrnts. No Governor has been so
proscriptive or SO narrow as Hyde.
And yet, it must be apparent that he
cannot help tit is the manner of
lis build. Ignorance, passion and in
tolerance are his ruling qualities.
| His thirst for authority, far be-
yond any sought or desired by other
Governor, seems to be supplemented
by purpose to throw executive fav-
ors calculated to produce financial
profit in the direction of gubernator-
ial pets among his friends and rela,
tives. He transfers trust fund to a
bank in which his family hold stock.
He appoints his brother Insurance
Commissioner. Another brother re-
turns from the far West to enter
practice in Kansas City and profit by
family prominence. He saves money