The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-11-28
HON. ARR B. HAYES
OF ST. LOUIS
addressed the Democrats of Hannibal and Surround
ing Country Wednesday Night, November 10. He
Discussed Issues That Are Now interest
ing the Democracy of Missouri.
Mr.. Halves Said:
OF ST. LOUIS

Dusly creating an erroneous impress
bion OF political conditions IN ST. Louis
81 is Tor The purpose OF cOrrecans
these false impressions that this ad-
kress is made, it not being my inten-
uon at this time TO discuss National
ISSUES and only those State questions
(which grow out Of the st. Louis sltua-
hon. Later l trust that may be able
10 discuss those principles advocated
by the Democratic party and to expose
she fallacy of the doctrines now being
taught by the party OF plutocracy.
All classes of our citizens are proud
Icf the work of reform which is going
on in St Louis. Mayor Wells is doing
bis full duty. and Circuit Attorney Folk
hn the conduct of his Office has re-
ceived. and is still receiving, my full
bympathy and cooperation in his pros
ecution of corrupt officials and bribe-
givers. Every Democratic official in
st. Louis applauds him for his com
mendable zeal in the performance Of
bis public duties.
The matters which l shall particu-
barly call to your attention are:
First-The attempt to confuse in the
minds of the public the corruption
which existed under Republican rule
Eith the present model Democratic ad-
m%inistration;
Second-The false picture which has
been painted of Mr.. Joseph Folk stand
ing singly and alone in an heroic
Eight for honest government unassist-
ed by his brother Democratic officials;
Third--The outrageous and SANDER
pus charges made against the Jefferson
club;
~Fourth-The charge that st. Louis
Democrats who are now opposing Mr..
Folks candidacy for governor, are do
Ing so because they do not approve OF
his acts as a public prosecutor, when
quite the contrary is the case, and an
expl nation of this opposition because
bf his failure to support his party when
called upon to do so by Democratic
leaders and others, when his failure
10 declare himself was a campaign is
sue.
CONDITIONS ~ ST. LOUIS PRIOR
TO 1900.
The political conditions in st. Louis
under Republican rule were absolutely
sntolerable. Favortism and graft were
the rule. The exposures of St. Louis
grand juries show the giving away of
valuable franchises without any recon-
pense to the city. The carnival of
graft and crime was complete, Stuffed
payrolls, straw men drawing salaries,
~lndecency in high places and a total
lack Of dignity everywhere. A mayor
whose coarse %buffoonery was a con-
stant source of shame to all citizens,
who. when the city was plunged in
darkness because of the rapacious
greed Of the members of the house of
delegates and council, and being called
upon to perform his duty, made reply.
1--WE got a moon yet, amt it?" which
afterward became a Democratic slogan
The city government became democrat
azed, streets we're %unpaved, hospitals
and warehouses; became germ-infected
institutions, the city's insane and poor
were crowded together like hogs in
pen, little children were placed in in.
ntitutions side by side with hardened
criminals to take their first lessons il
careers of crime. Sloth, indifference,
and a lack Of civic pride were every
where apparent.
Attracted by the looseness of gov
eminent, the dishonesty Of the city
public officials and the corruption
which permeated its official life, schem
Ing capitalists came in and bough
from public officials franchises an
rights Of inestimable value to the cit!
Our citizens lost pride, neglected thei
civic duties, and devoted their entir
thought to their personal enterprises.
The character and legal attainmen
of our circuit judges were lower /
standard than ever known before !
the city. Cases we're tried in the pc
lice courts, in the criminal courts, an
even in the circuit courts, not by la
and evidence, not by lawyers, but b
politicians, and decisions were msa!
ured out by the size of political pull
rather than by law and evidenc
Megenhein and Becker, Wurtzberg'
and Schumacher, Florsheim and Krat
Ianeed the carmagnole while the pei
pie we're robbed and the city fell I'M
decay.
THE JEFFERSON CLUB.
The reformation Of the City Of S
FOULS has been brought about main
Shrough the fundamentally Of the Je
Borson Club, That organization, |
systematic. intelligent and patriot
political work, probably has done mo
IN the cause Of good government Al
behalf Of the Democracy than al
Other similar organization in the who
United States. That It is misrepr
nented, abused and villihed by Repu
1icsn speakers and the Republics
PRESS, is but natural. That It's We
Rame should cause Republicans ans
I'D lead them to resort to the vile
sander, Il what might be naturally q
,sted.
Let US see what the Jefferson q
Il, Of whom II is composed, q
laB & works. II was organized
T]. taDa. I had the hsaas e q