The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-26
From the New J

HNN 1SSOURI is in the throes of a
IV struggle to free itself from the
grasp of boodlers. st. Louis,
its commercial center, and Jefferson City,
its political capital, are the scenes Of
rayed prosecuting officers and grand
juries; upon the other stand the boodlers,
exposed to public scorn and contempt,
but relying upon the strength and cum
ming of the democratic machine, that has
controlled the state for thirty years and
that is intrenched against adverse popular
majorities by the infamous Nesbit cleo
tion law, for escape from further pun
ishment. The story of their crimes cam
not yet be fully told, for the investigation
is now going on. revealing day by day
new chapters of shame. But the situa-
ton Is one of general interest as it H.
Illustrates forcibly how a somnolent pub
lie sentiment may be awakened into In
dignation and moved to enforce REFORM
not only in Missouri but In other states
where legislative corruption deserves pun
ishment.
The central figure, the champion of re-
form, in this battle is Circuit Attorney
Joseph w. Folk, the public prosecutor of
st. Louis. A democrat he was nominated
and elected to office against the wish of
the machine. His campaign pledge was
II promise that If elected l will do my
duty before God and this community"
How well he has kept that pledge is now
a matter of history, for 1t is more than
O. 7
grand jury with the evidence of boodling
he had obtained against members Of the
municipal assembly. He prosecuted and
convicted of bribery thirteen Of these
city boodlers, who had sold their votes to
a corporation that thus obtained valuable
street railway franchises. But II is to
be noted that not one of these thirteen
convicts is yet In stripes. Two of their
appeals upon technical points of law were
decided by the Supreme court in favor of
the defendants this week. But the decision
sustains the state upon every vital point.
Folk declares: 1.-The defendants will be
tried again as soon as possible. The de-
cision will not affect my course in the
least" 1t is to be noted that the decision
holds that false testimony in the grand
jury room constitutes perjury-a ruling
that will bear directly upon future prose-
cutions.
Those municipal prosecutions made of
Folk a national figure He knew no
party distinctions in performing his Of
fetal duty before God and this commun-
ity."
Taken in connection with his present
course, they have won him the applause
and support of the vast majority of citi-
zens He has refused a testimonial In the
form of a handsome residence declaring
that he wished nothing more than his
salary for doing his sworn duty. With
difficulty he was persuaded to accept a
loving cup, the gift of eager subscribers.
prominent men of both parties, declaring
that men who violate the raw are neither
democrats nor republicans, but criminals"
But in his present investigation of leg
islative boodling, Folk has struck the
trail of bigger game than aldermen. He
has involved Lieutenant Governor Lee,
many members of the legislature. and
threatened the reputation of United
States Senator stone lie mas dltackeu
the state machine In the very citadel Of
it's power The newspaper organs OF the
machine are forced to join in the general
chorus of applause The machine ITSELF
while hating him, does not defy him and
is resorting to fiattery and cajolery, In
the hope of swerving him from his
course For example, the private secre-
tary of Senator Stone, who was chief
clerk of the house during the last ses-
sion Of the legislature. and whose name
Is involved in an alleged legislative
deal of $4,000. has now the hardhood
to declare in favor of nominating Folk
for governor Should the machine be
back of that suggestion, Folk could be
elected; but he might prove more dan
gerous to corruption as governor than as
circuit attorney.
The scandal In the Missouri legislature
began during its last session. whea Speak
err Whitecotton openly charged on the
floor that there had been boodling In the
house An investigating committee made
a white-washing report. but Judge Hazlet
of the Circuit court of Cole county, In
!! which is Jefferson City. called a special