The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-11-27
Political Gossip From the Capital.

tA-''bftFUnT " FiHfN J. Nluitf VIII ~
elected 10 the United States Senate
to sre,s 81 S"ur'nr George q. Vest
whose term is about to expire. a new
factor has come into the situation il
the person of Joseph W. Folk, circuit
attorney Of st. Louis,-commonly
known as ire prosecutor, who has
madeSt Louis bad town TO boodlt
in.
As matter of fact, Attorney Folk
is hardly old enough to he eligible tc
the senate. even IL he should he chos
en-. vet there are some enthusiasts
who seemingly lose sight ot the
handicapplaced upon him by hisagc,
and they reason that since Folk has
distinguished himself IA n circuit at
torney, he ought in the natural
course of things to do equally aswell
in the senate chamber. The Folk
senatorial boom has been started
since his latest triumph-the convic-
tion OF Ed. Butler at Columbia.
Advic received Mt the capital in
dicate, however, that Governor Stone
is not in the leust uneasy about his
chances, and with siXty-seven MEM
hers of the legislature-that is the
strength already pledged to Stone
he sees almost a clear walk.away to
the senate. 1t has been suggested
that Folk might, at the eleventh
hour, be run in as dark horse on "A
wave Of popular enthusiasm, yet
levelheaded politicians see no likeli-
hood of such a thing ut this time,
even though Mr., Folk, bright young
man that he is, had sufficient age up
ON his shoulders. Governor Stone is
very widely recognized as one OF the
leading men OF western Democracy
and by many he is regarded ms the
most prominent man in Missouri,
Stone is even more than II Missou-
rian, having been for several years
generally recognized as "A national
character. The name of Stone is
nearly rs well known in New York or
san Francisco political circles as tits
here in Missouri, and it is the general
opinion that when Governor Stone
goes Ia the senate he will exert an
influence that will at once strengthen
the Missouri representation
Seventy six votes are necessary To
election, and as previously stated,
Governor Stone and his friends as
sert that he has sixty-seven Of that
number pledged. William Wallace,
Of Kansas City, has six votes and it
would not be surprising il his friends
should make another rally on his be-
half and try to get him at least a
complimentary vote OF generous pro-
portions.
The Republicans will cut but little
figure in the senatorial election
With the exception of the year 1890,
when there was an accidental land
slide, the Republicans have not been
in the habit Of doing much in the
Missouri legislature. As the late
Senator Hiram BledsOe OncercmHrk-
ed: They seem kind OF ont OF place
in the Missouri state house.
Tire unusual number OF lawyers i'll
the senate indicates increased ability
in that body. OF the senator's OF the
last two sessions only Farris, Fields,
Morton and Walker return. Sena-
tors Morton and Farris, because OF
their abilityand experience as iegis-
latOrs, having grown up III the bu-l'
ness from Legislative clerks, will con
tinue To exercise an influence and
control in aud over the next senate
The combine Of eight members which
existed and controlled the business
of the senate in the last two sessions
is broken by reason OF the failure oi
some of the members of it toget buck
to the senate. Senator Orchard
defeat creates a vacancy in the chail'
manship OF theimportant committee
of criminal Jurisprudence. There il
also vacancy in the craftsmanship
of the Judiciary committee. Senator
Dickinson, elected from the sixteenth
district, was in the last house, and h
is likely to become prominent in th'
senate.
For all fresh cuts or wounds, eithe