The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-06-06

bage contract and for his influence in mu-
nicipal legislation
Did you ever hear anything In his
favorT' asked Mr.. Folk
''oh, yes. have heard of several indtvid-
ual acts which were quite meritorious."
Henry W. King, editor Of the Globe-Dem-
ocrat. knew Of no personal prejudice against
Butler, but he admitted that there is wide
spread condemnation of the course he had
pursued in regard to the garbage contracts.
He said he knew Butler had large follow
ing. as shown at the last municipal cleo
ton Butler. he said, was known among
politicians as "the boss"
George s. Johns. editor of the Post-Dis-
patch, identified copies Of his paper. He
declared 1t as his opinion that there was a
general opinion against Butler.
HAWES SAYS PREJUDICE
AGAINST BUTLER Is GENERAL
Harry B. Halves, President of the Police
Board, was ono of the best witnesses for
Mr.. Butler, though they are political enc
mics. He said he had known Mr.. Butler
five or six years. In the last two years. he
said, he had read a great deal about Butler
in the newspapers and had heard a great
deal Of discussion of him Nearly all OF II,
he said. was unfavorable. He said he had
heard numerous adverse opinions from all
parts of the city and believed there was q
general prejudice against him
''Is It confined to this particular case or
to his connection with politics and city
contractsr' asked Mr.. Folk.
well, these expressions are generally
called forth by this particular case.
How general?'
.I have heard these discussions IN my
Office, at home. in the club. in the street
cars and on the streets-by everybody. eV-
erywhere" ,,.
have you not7'
well, no; our difference is personal
know many Of his friends who are also my
friends. In a general way nearly all the
conversations have been against him.
Before the indictment was found there
was considered criticism. of Butler in con-
nection with his political deals. The i'm
preston was that he had been influencing
legislation in the Municipal Assembly for
years.
THE general impression prevails about
town that Butler ought 10 be convicted on
general principles"
UNFAyORABLE OPINION DUE
TO TALK OF GEE"
William Marion ffSeoy, eolloE u lhe MIL
ror said he had discussed and had heard
many other persons discuss Colonel Butler
freely. taking up his connection with city
contracts and his influence in municipal
! legislation. He had heard a great deal OF
prejudice expressed. 1t was generally sup
! posed, he said, that Butler had agents In
| the House of Delegates to get bills through
; What caused all this prejudice against
I Butler7'' asked Mr.. Folk.
His conduct" Mr.. Reedy replied. 1T
J started the newspapers to talking Of him
! Buffers interviews, which he gave out &c
the papers started a prejudice against him
| his statements about his fee. fee and
! what he could do"
! Mr.. Reedy said he had written editorial:
! from time to time to the effect that II was
a mistake to indict Butler. because they
/ could not convict him. He said the genera
! impression about the city, however, wa:
( that Butler should be convicted.
! Judge Ryan asked: do you mean to say
I the people want to convict him on genera
| principles?''
''They want to convict him because he:
| Butler" was the reply.
| BUTLER's influence
| ESTIMATED BY MERIWETHER.
| : Lee Meriwether said he had heard But
lars reputation discussed on many occa-