Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1903-07-31
JOSEPH w. FOLK.
A Brief Biographical Sketch of
the Able Circuit Attorney
Of st. Louis.

Np>lb wv ~ -
October 2sth, 1865, in Browns,
vile, Tennessee. His father,
Henry Il. Folk was from North
Carolina. His mother, Martha
Estes Folk, was of Virginia
stock.
Mr.. Folk, after finishing in
the common schools Of his native
town, attended Vanderbilt Uni.
versity, where he graduated in
law in 1890. Returning TO bis
home town he praeticed law for
Il year or 50 there; then removed
g. st. Louis. He practiccd in
the civil courts, and soon built
upa large and lucrative prac-
tice. He took a deep interest IN
public affairs. Always a Demo.
crat, he took the stump for
Bryan in 1896, and warmly sup,
ported him again in 1900.
In the summer Of 1900 the
great street a strike paralyzed
the Industries Of the city. When
the situation seemed hopeless
Mr.. Folk was appealed to by
the strikers, and succeeded IN
settling the dispute and bring
ing an end 20 the strike.
In October, 1900, the Demo
cratic managers met to fix up a
ticket. The gold element Of the
party is strong in ST. Louis, and
the committee settled on a ticket
composed largely VI gold Demo.
Gratis. one of the party leaders
present called their attention to
the fact that the Bryan men
worC given no reorganization, and
insisted that they be given a
place on the ticket by putting
Joseph v. Folk ON as Circuit
Attorney. The managers saw
the political necessity OF this,
and acccdcd 70 it. Mr.. Folk did
not want the nomination nor the
Office. II meant a financial Il
rihcc TO him, as he was making
more in his practice than the
salary Of the office. He was
tinally persuaded to accept, how
ever, and vas elected by 5000
majority.
In the spring of 1901 Mr.. Folk
opposed the idea Of nominating
ROlla Wells for mayor by the
Democrats, because Mr.. Wells
had voted for Mckinley in 1896
and 1900. When Mr.. Wells was
nominated, however, ne sup.
ported him earnestly.
In April, 1901, Mr.. Folk com
menccd an Investigation Of clec.
ton frauds. He secured q mum
bur If indictments against fraud
ulont voter, When political
bosses demonstrated with him
for prosecuting Democratic
ward hcelcr,, he uttered the
now famous oplgram: cone who
violates the law IS not Il Demo.
crat, be is not Republican, he
is u criminal" The BOSSES urged
that the indicted men had voted
for him. lie replied: ''Ther
they made II mistake if they
supposed ! would violate my
oath OF Office. They viii b,
prosecuted The same as any on,
else" Seven Of tie election re
pcatcrs We're convicted and sen
fenced to the pcnitcntiary. Mr.
Folk has had the grand jury
Investigate fully all charges il
connection with elections. Th'
Supreme Court, however, hel'
the penalty clauses Of the Nesbi
law Unconstitutional, thus lcaV
ling no law to punish offenders
i new law VAS passed by tn
recent Legislature.
The most corrupt and power
full gang Of public plunderer
held sway III st. Louis for years
Laws We're bought and sold un
/ blushingly, No Circuit Attornc,
n had dared attack the System o
corruption. 1t seemed suicida
to do so. Yet Folk went aftc
D them hard and heavy. 1t wa
difficult work to secure evidence
and it required strategy an
. diplomacy and hard work, Fol
! was persistent and succeed. II
WAS threatened; close friend
urged HIM 10 desist. Yet, VI
mindful Of every consideration
/ save duty, he pursued his course
Lnul urlnr uuul mn. uunDrurnI