The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-09-13
Congressman Vandiver SAYS
Democrats Cannot Afford to
Turn Down Folk.
STRONG CLUB IS ORGANIZED.
Cape Girardeau Man Asserts
That Circuit Attorney Has
Made the Issue and There
Is No Getting Around 1t. >,
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Osceola, No, Sept. PA strong Folk
Club was organized here to-day with 12
charter members to boom the st. Louis
Circuit Attorney for Governor
Congressman ". d. Vandivel delivered
the principal address to the large assem-
blage. advocating the principles for which
Mr.. Folk stanGs. His speech was well re-
ceived and elected frequent and loud ap-
plause.
Considerable enthusiasm was aroused
when he declared that the people could not
turn down the man who was leading the
procession 'fn this era Of reform"
VANDIvER SPEAKS.
After outlining the condition Of the pub
lie service in other States and in the gov
eminent at Washington, Mr.. Vandiyer de-
clared:
The era OF reform has come ano Mis-
souri, is leading the procession. A handful
OF corrupt legislators have blackened the
fair sscutcheon of the State and We pro-
pose to wipe out that foul blot by pro-
noting to the gOvernorship that gallant
and courageous attorney who has exposed
their r~ottenness and who has demon
strated his i~ncorruptible fidelity to a pub
lie trust.
Both political parties will declare for
honest government and punishment of
those who undermine II either by buying
or by selling votes. The boodler will find
no apologist on any platform. All parties
will dcnounce the bOodler. Where, then,
will come the issue? 1t must be In the
character and the record Of the men on
the ticket, and especially the head OF the
ticket.
Now, imagine cur plight. after declar-
ing for punishment of hoodlers and eradi-
cation of official corruption. II We should
then turn down the very man who has
made the issue, the only man. 1 may say.
who has really accomplished anything in.
that line. suppose We denounce boodling
and then defeat the Doodle prosecutor?
What a spectacle for gods n men
Political hypocrisy. fighting sham bat
ties, merits only the scorn and ridicule of
mankind.
MI Folk is not the only honest man.
nor the only capable man in the State
for Governor. There are a thousand men
in the State capable Of making good
Governors but just at this time the peo-
pie recognize him as the chief represent
alive of the issue which lies nearest
their hearts.
HONEST GOVERNMENT.
Tariff and trusts and currency legis-
latiOn demand serious attention, but that
which comes nearest the hearts of the
people is honest government. They have
been betrayed; they are ri~ghteously in
Asnant. Let US show them tina we are
in earnest and they will stand by us.
II want n candidate for Governor
for whom l shall not need to make any
apologies. who will not need any de-
Tense. but whose name will inspire the
hosts OF Democracy with the fire of true
patriotism ana devotion to lofty ideals
Therefore. 1 an for Joseph W. Folk OF
ST.. Louis.
Some people tell me this is only a pass
ing sentiment. and that it is on the wane.
I do not believe it. 1 do not believe that
this meeting to-day indicates any decline.
On the contrary, it Is stronger with every
new day. and I venture to predict that it
will sweep everything before it. until the
next Democratic State Convention will be
the most harmonious, because the most
unanimous body that ever met to plan for
battle in this great Commonwealth.
Give US Folk for Governor and Cock
rell FOR Senator and good men for. other
State Offices on the ticket, and Democracy.
having once more earned the confidence OF
the people. will take 4 new ease of power
in Missouri. and every Democrat. as we'll
az every good citizen. may walk erect.
hold his head up and declare to all the
world. L am a M~issourian.'