Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-11-26

efnof ana Mr. FOLK is.
Mr.. Folk could not claim that he did
not support the Democratic tickets be-
cause OF the character Of their candi-
dates, as the Democratic candidates
were conspicuously better men in ev-
cry sense OF the word than their Re-
publican opponents But, granting
that tney were not, for the sake of ar
gument, why did Mr.. Folk In previous
campaigns, when the Democratic party
had sunk to a low ebh in its o~rganiza-
ton and its party nominees were not
in any way equal to those in this
election, support them eheerfullyg
And, in fact, why did he always up to
the time OF his own election support
any, all kinds and every description
OF a candidate that might be placed on
his ticket and then after his. election
to ONCE draw fine distinctions?
The main developments OF the sit
uation are these: First, that Mr.. Folk
did not support his party nominees:
second, that since his refusal TO sup
port the Democratic nominees he has
been himself supported by Republican
papers. There may not be any connec-
ton between these two facts. Neverthe-
less they are true, and | am PERSONAL
ly convinced that there Is a connec
ton; that is to say. that Mr.. Folks
failure TO support the Democratic can
didates brought TO him the support Of
the Republican press. Let the Demo-
Gratis Of st. Louis decide this question
at their next State primary-there will
be no doubt about their verdict
l do not know in the whole City Of
St Louis or the State Of Missouri one
single Democrat who has assisted his
party in the past in any material way
ter language this betrayal of his party.
1t was a fruitful topic of conversation
on the streets of St Louis and there
were a great many Democrats who be-
lieved at that time that 1t meant that
Mr.. Folk would seek the nomination
for governor at the hands of the Re-
publican party. or that he would be-
come an independent candidate. They
could not conceive how he could treat
his party in the manner he did and at
the same time consistently ask for
higher honors or future favors It its
hands. Mr.. Folk can not plead the
pressure Of official duties as an ex-
cuse. He has had time TO make
speeches in New York, to make good
government speeches, and to hold each
day, morning and evening, conferences
with the representatives of the daily
newspapers.
one-hundredth part Of the time tina!
he has spent in the Offices Of the st.
Louis Star and with its Republican ed
itor would have enabled him to have
made either a speech or a statement
which would have been of material as
sistance to his party at what then ap-
peared to be a critical period. Nor can
he plead that 1t was to the best inter-
est of his party that he did not speak.
II this should be his plea, 1t would
mean that he had set his opinion up
against that Of all the State and local
Democratic leaders OF the Democratic
party.
| further charge that In remaining
silent at this time he placed an odium
upon his fellow Democrats In that they
we're charged with failing to support
him in his Doodle crusade and that
they had nominated a ticket which was
inimical TO the best interests of thai
crusade. Mr.. Folk knew that Thu
statement was false. so that his silence
to my mind. was a species OF political
dishonesty for which he can not be ex
cused.
a In his present candidacy the sam,
, arguments are being used. All thos,
J who are opposed to Mr.. Folk arr
charged by Republicans and Mr.. Folk
i friends with being under Doodle or cor
rupt influences, those Democrats In st
Louis who do not favor his nomina
ton, IL is intimated must be dishon
q est, and further anyone who Opposes
Mr.. Folk In St. Louis does so, II is as
serted, for the reason that he does no
sympathize with the in whicl
he has conducted his official duties
These charges again brand as infa
mously false.
Take for illustration the commuuica
! ton sent out by Mr.. N. w. Mcleod
the gentleman who has figured here
I tofore as Mr.. Folks campaign man
ager, who has been described as a sol
Of Missouri Hanna, who introduce
modern trust methods in conductin
the campaign of his candidate. Thou
: sands OF pounds of Folk literature hav
been sent out into the State by Nj
Mcleod. Paid agents are now traveI
ing the State under his direction. II
was featured in a st. Louis newspape
with a large picture and a full pag
description as a campaign manager {
Mr.. Folk
His letter of September %, sent OF
!, to country newspapers, contains som
remarkable statements, among other
A this: Although 1t is conceded ths
Linety per cent Of the Democratic vol
: ers of Missouri are for Joseph w. Fol
for governor, certain INSCRIPTIONS pC
litieal manipulators are loudly boasi
ing that they will be able to defeat III
FOLK by thieyery, thuggery and trici
cry in the large cities of the Stat
!" II the honest yeomanry Of Missouri al
. active all the powers of evil cannC
prevail"
. Continuing, he said: "The questio
now is, car the Democratic party no
"a afford to let the boodler select the Den
ocratic ticket? Honest Democrats ha'
the right to be suspicious of a ma
like Mr.. Reed. who is popular wit
boodlers. Mr.. Folk IL the hated enem
. Of the boodlers. His nomination woul
be the most bitter dose that could
, given TO the boodiers Of Missouri. tn
- crowd opposing Mr.. Folk are DONNA
ed largely by Doodle influences. The
u are not good Democrats, for they woul
u prefer to have the State Of Nilsson
y go Republican than to have Folk cleo
u ed governor. II they cannot contr'
, the party they will try to wreck !
The bitterness of their opposition an
the conspicuous disregard for trut
they display in their position show
70 tnis. Look around you in your ow
o county and see the class Of fellows Of
, posing Mr.. Folk. and draw your ow
20 conclusions"