CANDIDATES FROM BOTH PARTIES FLOCK HERE; CAMPAIGN IN FINAL DAYS

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Betty Hearnes, above, Democratic candidate for State Senator, rides in the university homecoming parade. Below, David Steelman, Republican candidate for Attorney General, speaks with Congressman Bill Emerson, left, and State Rep. Mary Kasten. Bottom, Gary Melton, left, Republican treasurer candidate, talks with Bill Reynolds and Julia Kridelbaugh.

Candidates from both parties rolled through Cape Girardeau this weekend, with some taking advantage of Homecoming parade crowds and others just passing through to offer credentials to voters on more time before election day Tuesday.

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond focused his attention on his "Agenda For The Future" during his final barnstorming tour in Cape Girardeau.

On Friday morning, Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan, who is hoping to be the first Democrat to win the governor's office in 12 years, toured the University's Demonstration farm and discussed agriculture; David Steelman, the Republican candidate for attorney general, contended his opponent had forged newspaper headlines to run in TV ads; and Gary Melton, the Republican candidate for state treasurer, said he was optimistic his qualifications would boost him to victory with polls showing 44 percent of the voters still undecided.

On Friday evening, Republican State Senate Candidate Peter Kinder held a rally for supporters on the final campaign weekend Among those in attendance were Attorney General William Webster, the Republican nominee for governor, and Sen. Bond.

At a Common Pleas Courthouse rally Saturday morning after the Homecoming parade, Bond said: "We've got to make some fundamental changes to get the kind of future we want for this country.

"We have to hold down on foreign spending and cut defensive costs by one third over the next five years and we've got to quit talking about this Mars trip."

Bond, who was in Poplar Bluff, Sikeston and Kennett Friday and headed West following his appearance here, said he may have to "rock the boat" to get some things done.

"If I have to challenge the established order, if I have to rock the boat, if I have to make people in Washington upset to get things done, I'm going to do it," said Bond. "We have to eliminate the budget deficit and reduce the national debt."

Bond emphasized that eliminating the budget deficit was a must.

"That's one thing that Ross Perot has done," said Bond. "He has made people realize the importance of discussing the budget.

In his "Agenda For The Future," bond focuses on reforming the health care system and reforming Congress by cutting bureaucracy and limited congressional terms.

Carnahan toured the dairy operation at the Southeast farm with Dr. Michael Aide, head of the College of Agriculture. Carnahan was impressed that Southeast and the University of Missouri were working together with their agriculture programs.

"Frankly, you are doing more than I realize already in a cooperative exchange," Carnhan said.

Aide responded that both institutions share the same mission - to serve agriculture.

Carnahan promised to develop a statewide economic development plan if elected, making agriculture a key element in that plan. "We would target value added industries for our agricultural products," he remarked.

Carnahan said he felt good about Tuesday's election with polls showing him running ahead, but stressed, "the only poll that matters is Tuesday."

The Democrat said he believes voters realize that he stands for change and that the Republican alternative is "more of the same do nothing government."

During his stop in Cape Friday night, Webster was warning that Carnahan would raise taxes.

"Don't be fooled by their fancy footwork. Mel Carnahan will tell you that he only wants to tax the rich, but here's the problem: Mel thinks you are rich."

Webster promised to hold the line on taxes. "We need to get the waste and duplication out of state government. We need to open every agency, board, department and commission to see how many people they employ and how much money they cost.

"If they are still performing a useful service, we'll let them alone. If they aren't we'll shut them down and use that money to help you and help your kids' schools."

Steelman was joined at his press conference by U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and State Rep. Mary Kasten who praised his qualifications. Steelman also outlined the agenda he would follow immediately if elected.

The Republican said he would take immediate action on the court ordered school desegregation cases, establish an open door policy with his office, and begin working on crime proposals he outlined during the campaign.

"Immediately after the election, I plan to begin working with my staff to develop a complete legislative package to introduce the crime and punishment initiatives I have proposed throughout this campaign, including a proposal for funding these programs," he explained.

But Steelman was particularly concerned by ads being run by Democratic nominee Jay Nixon trying to tie him to the Second Injury fund and suggesting he received $250,000 from the fund.

"The governor's race has become a referendum on the Second Injury Fund," said Steelman. "In his ads Jay Nixon is forging headlines that never existed."

"He's desperate to tie me into the Second Injury Fund Scandal and since he can't prove it, he's created headlines to do it," said Steelman.

In ads where he has used legitimate headlines from newspapers, "he has inserted my picture in their articles that have nothing to do with me."

Steelman added, "It is one thing to take newspaper headlines to put your own spin on it, but if he can't find a headline to say what he wants, he just makes it up. That goes beyond what anyone has ever done in a campaign - to falsify documents. That is what he has done; he has falsified newspaper headlines."

Steelman is starting ads this weekend critical of Nixon's actions and suggesting if he forges campaign headlines he will do anything as an elected official.

Kasten praised Steelman and noted, "I served with David Steelman in the legislature. I'd bet my life on his integrity. He can be the best attorney general Missouri has ever had."

Emerson added, "He has the same kind of common sense, conservative values of people here in southern Missouri."

Melton pointed out that Central Trust Bank in Jefferson City, who charged the state $3 million a year for bank services, but later after a bid process fees dropped to $1 million, is involved in "a conspiracy to take over the state treasurer's office."

Melton explained that Democratic nominee Bob Holden has received over $100,000 from the bank during his 1988 and 1992 campaigns, including over $20,000 to this one. Melton said he returned a contribution from Central Trust and has limited contributions from banks to $500.

"Bob Holden has been traveling the state pledging to restore voters confidence in state government, promising to be the champion of campaign reform while selling himself to special interest," said Melton.

If elected, Melton said statutes make the treasurer custodian of the Second Injury Fund, and he promised, "to review every single claim to make sure an attorney doesn't get $40,000 for mashing his finger in a file cabinet."

He predicted close scrutiny would save $10 million a year in claims.

Melton added, "with this many undecided I feel like we are in good shape."

The Republican candidate believes his qualifications will help him win Tuesday, particularly six years experience as treasurer of Ozark County. "We are the only candidate who has performed this duties," he remarked.

Melton has seem an accountant for 23 years and worked in management for the Frisco railroad at Springfield.

"I feel we need an accountant in government, not a political science major," said Melton.