The St. Louis Republic., 1903-05-26
sTEFFENs AND THE DOODLE ISSUE.

In haphazard opinion concerning Mr.. Folks po-
litical future Editor Lincoln Stefens remarks that
Folk seems to have of that idiOcy called party
loyalty" and further remarks that the politicians who
have kept the Doodle issue of politics would
let Folk be nominated
1t is true that Folk to have Of the
''diocy" mentioned. At numerous times during the
period of his performances for the Democratic party
Of Missouri Mr.. Folk has expressed his loyalty.
But Mr.. Steffens when he thinks that the
doodle issue has been kept out of politics 1t may
be to him that Folk was nominated and elected
upon Doodle ISSUE
That issue is thirty months old Every official
of Folk has evidenced loyalty to the party which long
ago declared its purpose to clean out corruption Mr.
Steens might proftably consult the speeches of Folk
candidate, therein to find express references to
the Doodle issue and explicit declarations of loyal
intention to pursue the party's plans. For thirty
months Folk has generously fulfilled his promises OF
loyalty and of reform.
1t should not require very long stay in St Louis
to convince Mr. Steffens that Doodle is in sense
still an ISSUE Although it has small basis for exist
ence in ST Lous-one glance at the thoroughly reno
waited conditions Of municipal government effected by
Folk and the Wells administration sufices prove
that-the Doodle issue has been seized upon by the
custed Republicans. the very who conducted the
orgies Of loot in the City Hall, and is being thrust
forward for the next campaign. Consistency plays
no part in framing the issues of the Republican
cline-it boldly cries "hoer than thou" to the clean
administration which drove it out of the temple.
Developments at the State capital have helped the
Doodle issue along. In the State in the city, the
Republican machine displays consistency. The
Republican minority in the Legislature is shown to
have been not a minority in crime. Republican boo
dlers have confessed duplicating numbers of their
brothers in creed. But nothing estops the machine
They shut their eyes and press the issue. Being the
attacking party they may choose their weapons-and
since they choose Doodle they must be upon that
issue.
Apparently nothing could be easier Unlike the Re
publican BOSSES the Democratic party does not as
responsibility for boodlers who profess its doc
trnes: it renounces who violate the laws of Mis-
souri, it Furnishes first of all the offenders who have
crept into its lines. 1t does retain men like
tie confessed boodler Busche, who is kept in good
standing on the Republican State Central Commit
tee For the purpose of the Doodle ISSUE however it
could assume responsibility for the men who have
called themselves Democrats without fear of a COM
paratve count
And for the purpose of making assurance doubly
the Democratic party will select candidate with
reference to the Doodle issue. AS The Republic has
previously stated, Folk provided that conditions re-
main unchanged and the Republicans do not perceive
the folly of their course might be logical selection
Together with several other possibilities he measures
up to the requirements as viewed in the light of to-
day.
The duty of nominating Governor will fall chiefly
to the Democrats Of Missouri whole What they
demand they will receive. No politicians" or set of
politicians" Mr.. Steffens suggests will deny the
voice of Missouri sentiment. Even were the matter
left wholly the politicians they would be governed
by considerations Of winning. They would not sacr
flee the chance of victory by turning deaf ear to the
voters desires concerning Mr.. Folk or any other
promising candidate.