The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-06
corruptionists. with all their power and
wealth. will be overcome and overthrow"
vANDIvER SPEAKS FOR FOLK.
ConEressman Addresses Folk Club n
Mexico, Mo.

SOuBFeBBm0n AOOfeSSeo FOLK Clo0 NJ
| Mexico, Mo.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
| Mexico. Mo-, Dec. 5.-Congressman w.
| D. Vandiver Of the Fourteenth District
| addressed the Folk Club, which has a
| membership Of over 700 persons, here this
afternoon.
1t was the opening gun of the club,
which has the distinction of being one
Of the largest yet organized in this part
the largest that has assembled in Mexico
to hear political speech since the last
St State .ts eampalsp. Mr. Nandiser said. in
II am proud Of the record of every
Democratic administration in Missouri
from that Of Woodson to Dockery inclu-
sive. AS a whole it is record that any
been personally acquainted with every
Governor from Hardin to the present in
cumbent- Charles H. Hardin was my
and I want to say right here in this
town where his body sleeps that no better
man ever administered the affairs Of this
great State.
THE last two Governors, Stephens and
Dockery. have had unusual difficulties to
contend with. 1t is no secret at all that
have sometimes differed with them
but have never doubted the integrity Of
either.
STATE MACHINE.
II do not believe in building I'D any
State machine for the purpose of con-
trolling party policy or party nominations.
I am not yet ready to say that this is be-
ing done. I am waiting to see whether it
"One thing is certain: Missouri Demo-
Gratis Will not stand bossism. In New
york Tammany boss is respected and In
~: Louis he nay be able for time to
the country Democracy will repudiate any
believe now. rs have said perhaps a
s thousand times before. that since Mis-
sourfs return to Democratic control thir-
" years ago it has been the best-goy-
erned State In the Union. We have done,
what other States have not been able to
our debts at 'he same time, and built nm
the finest system of public schools and
PUBIC institutions to be found in all this
that the Executive Board of the State
government has never been open to any
}uss charge Of fraud. peculation or en-
nPe smeanefis The whole thirty years of
ROD OF honest snd faithful administrator.
But In at least one end of the legisla-
I'VE branch certain abuses have crept.
thoIsand-dollar bills have circulated too
a l, among people whose salary was
supposed to be only IS per day.
REFORM NEEDED.
who shall say that this does not de-
mand reform? To my personal knowledge
we have in every campaign for the last
dozen years promised the people to drive
tne LOBBY out of Jefferson City. An honest
eHort mas been made to do So But has II
succeeded! Who is there to deny that the
exposures OF corruption In ST. Louis and
Jenerson City has created a new issue
IN the minds of the people? You say it Is
NOT an issue because there is nobody to
champion the boodlers' cause No. not
openly.
But I will show you where the issue
Is. There are really several issues in
volved. Who exposed these frauds and
all this corruption? The evidence and the
confessions Of the guilty shows that they
had been going on for twelve years at
least and probably longer
It was Folk who exposed 1t. and it
would be grievous blow to the Democ-
racy II 1t failed to promote him. 1t must
and / believe 1t will be DONE II we had
such man. one that has accomplished
what Folk has accomplished. We could
carry Kansas, Illinois. New York, Iowa
and even Massachusetts,"
Mr.. Vandiver was cheered repeatedly.
Resolutions were adopted calling for a
county primary and indorsing Cockrell
for President.
MIR. Vandiver asked the club to send a
representative to the big Folk rally in ST.
Louis during the holidays. He said 1t
would be great demonstration, and he
believed 1t would show the people that
St. Louis was for Folk in spite Of reports