The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-13
Circuit Attorney Speaks at Ma
con and Calls on the Police
Commissioner to Declare Him.
sell.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Macon. Mo-. Dec. l2.-Joseph W. FOLK
delivered 4 speech here this afternoon to
an audience which crowded the Blees
Theater
Mr.. Folk was introduced by former sena-
tor Web n. Rubey. He spoke about an
hour and Il half and his remarks were en-
Enthusiastically cheered. Judge r. II. Kern
followed in half-hour's talk.
Mr.. Folk has expressed himself as high
ly gratified with his reception here.
Mr.. Folk said in part:
THE highest tribunal in Missouri Is the
people OF Missouri. and to the people
appeal the case of the State of Missouri
against the givers and takers Of brides.
The exposures of official corruption in st.
Louis and Missouri have startled a civil
lied world. What are the people Of Mis-
souri, going to do about it? That is the
question being asked all over this land
to-day. Have the people OF this great
State suffered enough? VIII they longer
Tolerate the shameless conditions that
nave prevailed? Will they ignore all this
shocking venality and go on as il moth
Ing mad happened" Will they refuse to
make the cure Of this corruption an issue,
even while the eyes of all mankind are
looking to see the manhood of Missouri
assert itself? 1 have endeavored to do my
uuty as your official. under my oath of
once to my God ana to my State. 1 can
not finish the work without your help.
YOU alone can do that at the ballot box.
Men OF Missouri. this State belongs to you,
what are you going to do with IT? II you
IKE the sort of things that have been go
Ing on. 1t is your privilege; TO allow them
to continue: II you want to correct, them
you have remedy through your ballots.
nave confidence in the people. believe
IN the honesty Of the great masses
Inc cure OF corruption is an issue con-
fronting the people Of Missouri that can
not be honorably evaded. 1t is up to the
democratic party to say whether the
party Will dodge this question or make 1t
its first and highest duty to stamp out
this corruption. AS the days go by events
accentuate this issue and make it palmer
that the people must speak in order that
Missouri may be set right before her sis
ter States and the world. The Democratic
party must decide this question one way
or the other. Shall the cure of corruption
be made an issue or shall it be ignored
want the Democratic party. to have the
credit Of accomplishing this reform. 1
love my party and have faith in the hon
ssty and integrity of the rank and file Of
The Democracy. and am making this fight
within party lines. The Democratic party
belongs to the people. and IL the people
assert their rights and do not allow
themselves to be controlled by self-seek-
ng bosses. all their wrongs can be cor
'ected through the party. IT,
INDORSES WELLS. :.
The statement WIS made in a recent
speech at Hannibal that my friends and
myself were opposing Mayor Rolla Wells |
4 st. Louis As l stated in my address |
it st. Joseph, take pleasure in acknowl- |
'dgtng the great help Mayor Wells has |
endered In raising funds to aid in the
of corruption. and 1 gladly |
estify TO the ability. honesty and cour-
Ige with which he has administered the |
uties OF his office. Mayor Wellss admin ]
not involved in this contest. 1 |
AVE only the frtendliest feelings for him
nd will give him my most hearty CO.
peration in any good work he may I'M
ertake. Certain designing persons have
ttempted to make a breech in our cordial
Citations. but without success SO far as I
m concerned. 1t fs true 1 opposed his
omination as the head Of the Demo-
ratio ticket in St. Louis in 1901. for the
eason that he had voted the Republican
ational ticket in 1895 and 1900 But when
Q was nominated anyway. voted for
I'm. and he has been a high example of
iyic integrity In public office
Mr. Halves understands pretty well
ow to play boss in the Fourth Ward
st. Louis, but his whip cannot drive
lie country Democracy of Missouri. 1t
one thing to threaten the indians of st.
outs. and quite another thing to bulldoze
10 honest yeomanry who have not yet
admitted to that element in st. Louis
inning the State. The people are SOW
eign though, and II the Halves brand OF
emocracy is what you want. of course
,u can, get it. BY the way, what in
rest has Mr.. Halves in this fight any
ay? is he running for Governor? II he
he should say 80 and stop his BUSH
ha cking. 1t is customary to select Of
'ials for their own merits. not for the
.merits OF some one else. If he is not
inning. whom does he represent in his
aides? At whose instance is he hurting
g wordy thunderbolts-it would be in
resting to know.
WHAT FOLK WOULD DO.
There are many things needed In Ms
uri. and were I Governor L should see
1t that corruption at the State Capitol
ID all over the State be exposed and
lnished, not concealed. If the courts hold
: have no laws to punish corruption, ,
en- should recommend laws to protect ,
ciety from those wolves that prey on
e vitals of the people. I would not per- I
It the police to be used as machine in 4
vor of one side or the other in political '
either in primaries or gen. n
Il elections. The Democratic party needs r
machine other than the approval of t
e people. The name Democracy should | h
md for official honor and integrity. The '
party must not tolerate cor +
ption. and when 1t reare It's ugly head, I
9 first duty Of the party is to put an d
j to 1t. Whenever corruption comes to C
hit, there arises an issue before true
besides which all other issues Z
. insignificant. The corruptionists are G
'olent now. Will you teach them @
son? You. the people alone. can teach II
nv,