The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-02
FIFTEEN THOUSAND STAND
IN RAIN AT NEW FLORENCE
TO HEAR JOSEPH w. FOLK
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Continued From Page One.
| sire good government they can get II.
| for they are supreme.
| ''There arc many honest public .cry-
| ants in Missouri; there arc many who
| have come through the fiery ordeal of
| investigation unframed and I'M
| ashamed. There nre. also. many oil
Gals in Missouri who have been con-
| sciencc1ess, and their cupidity has
| been such 10 shock the civilized
| world.
..Thexe and their allies have fast
| encd Themselves like vampires the
| state. and II Will require the best ef-
forts of good citizens to disIodge
them.
| "Thcse conditions arc the outEr0wth
of the commerciaIism of our times.
! ..In the one great sentiment of civic
| honor VIC nre behind the days of our
| forefathers. The desire for luxury.
| the mania for speculation. hns cnused
a departure from the divine injunc-
| ton. in the sweat of thy fnce shnH
| thou eat bread
| Too many men seek wealth without the
corresponding inclination TO labor for its
| achievement.
Political commercialism has taken the
| place. in many mems minds. of patriotism.
| Public office is held too often merely as a
| means Of earning livelihood easier than III
private life. We need more of the patriot
| ism Of peace IN private and public life,
| There must be revival Of civic righteous
ness in State and municipal affairs.
| DOODLE REVELATIONS
| READ LIKE ROMANCE.
The revelations of official corruption in
| St. Louis and Missouri read like a tale from
| the Arabian Nights officials elected 10
| represent the interests of the city betrayed
| their trust and sold themselves FOR gain.
Combines We're formed in the House of Del
egatca and City Council. These combines
held regular meetings in due parliamentary
form. Prices were fixed all ordinances
Of any value: prices not for the city. but to
go into the itching palms of these public
rflfererS.
Their. is to-day locked up in two safe
deposit boxes in the city OF St. Louis one
corruption fund Of Sl:J.tG0. which has been
used as evidence in court. This was put up
DN the legislative agent of Il street railroad
company N Response I" a demand rom
members of the Municipal Assembly. As
brihes for their votes in passing Il franchise
ordinance.
For another franchise $4,000 in brides
was paid to the members of the preceding
assembly: This franchise was afterwards
sold for 81 .25".1o, bit the city received not
cent Twenty-three of the twentyeight
members of the House Of Delegates took
srihes of 5000 each for this franchise
Seven members OF the Council obtained
from sl".tpt to $500 each for their votes
one Councilman was given s25.n0 to vote
against the franchise and afterwards ac-
cepted $4,000 10 vote in favor of ii. He re-
turned the $500 to the man who gave it
to him. saying he did not believe he could
honestly keep il without earning 1t by
giving his vote in accordance with the terms
ot purchase. Upon reflection he likewise
sent the s".eo back with the hope Of get
ting more. He finally voted for the ordi-
nance with the expcctat on and under prom
Use Of obtaining SlOA90o for his vot. His
Trend. the promoter. disappointed him by
al tln., a.
paying him. More in sorrow than in anger
the official tracked the promoter to New
ork. and, after much difcuty succeeded
| In obtaining $500 but not until the pro-
meter had him sign certificate of char
acter. saving. I have heard rImors in St
Louis that YOU paid members of the Assem-
| bly, for their votes. want to say that 1
am In a position TO krow. and | do know
| that you are as far above Offering n bribe
as am above receiving one This was
literally true. the official had taken
hrihSs right and left and the promoter had
bill through the Municipal Assembly
CoUNCILMhN WERE on
CORPORATION PAY ROLLS.
Seven members OF the Council. elected
TO serve the people at salary of 500 a
year. We're paid regular salary Of 81 O0D
, M Yea, 10 reiresent corporate interests. A
OF Delegates FOR $3.50 The bargain, was
made right on the floor of the House The
money was given to one of the members
and after the meeting they met in III.
! home of one of their number. whera tbc
pie, was cut and the money divided.
while the host msrrily sang to his owr, ac.
Commandment the old song of Home. Sweet
home ''t
Nineteen members of another House of
Delegates obtained 81. $50 each as brihas for
their votNs on still another franchise. In.
deed. no bill of consequence passed the A.
sembiy for years unless the members wer.
paid for their official action. Schedules or
bride prices were established. ranging from,
a few hundred dollars Tor passing switch
Dill TO $lN.eS Tor railroad franchise
Men would run for seat in the Mn
nicipal Assembly with the sole Object of
making money by the prostitution Of Their
position. The scheme of corruption Wa
systematic and far-reaching The peonIe
were careless: the public conscience was
asleep. These city legislators went on with-
out hindrance. They devised a scheme nr
selling the Waterworks. which belonged to
the city. for s15.0ooooO. the works beinS
100000 apiece for their votes on this. The