Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-08-06

tAth6 - tAhtF oA AN
subject of Good Government on
Saturday, August /, and despite the
inclemency of the weather not one
of the thousands in range of his
voice moved away until the speech
was finished.
Mr.. Folk showed himself TO be i'm
mensely popular with the people of
Montgomery county and those from
neighboring counties who came over
to hear him speak, Judging from the
favorable comment heard on all sides
after his speech.
We give Mr.. Folks speech verba-
TIM:
1t was with much pleasure l found
myself able to accept the invitation
10 be present here to-day and address
the old settlers of Montgomery and
surrounding counties. The subject
Of good government is evidently not
new in Montgomery county, for |
learn the first public building erect
ed here was a Jail and the next a
courthouse. 1t seems that the order
should have been reversed, but | take
il punishment for crime was swifter
in Missouri in those days than now.
The old settlers of the county evil
dently believed in enforcement of the
law. for the first criminal ease tried
in the new courthouse was hat of p
Young man charged with stealing his
sweetheart's shoes. What he wanted
with her shoes the record does no.
say. Anyway. he was convicted and
given t~wenty-nine lashes. So bene-
fetal was the example to other evil
doors of like character that the crime
has not been repeated in the county
since-at least there has been no one
else indicted for the ~offense. Serious
w, though. when | read of this case
in the history of the count" l could
not help but imagine what those peo-
pie would have done TO the latter-day
boodlers who clean out whole munich
pal Iarders and plumber the people Of
an entire state.
The early settlers who developed
the great west were n sturdy and hon
est race. They were the immediate
descendants of the founders OF the
republic and were imbued with the
spirit OF their forefathers.
They realized the value of the gov
ernmental heritage, vouchsafed 10
them by the heroic efforts Of the men
of the revolution. They were patriot
ic and believed in the stability OF
their government. Honorable and
great men were their trusted leaders
whom they loved, almost revered. The
charge Of dishonesty on the part "
those intrusted with power or place
was rarely II ever heard. Men
strived in the pathway of laudable
ambition for the respect, honor and
confidence il brought them in the es-
TEEN Of their fellowmen. Though
there were differences of opinion on
Important questions of public policy,
and ON matters of that kind, partisan
ship. often ran high,peculation in pub
lie Office was practically unknown. As
times progressed this faith in the
honesty of public servants among the
great masses continued. They were
oblivious to the sowing of the seeds
and the gradual development of cor
ruption. Especially was this true of
the rural district; for, after all,it must
be admitted that the germs of cor
ruption have begun in the populous
centers. At length, the unpleasant
truth dawned and the knowledge.
spread that corruption had entered
into the sacred precincts Of municipal
government. That places of honor
and trust were being made the ave-
for venality and were being dis
gracefully prostituted for criminal
purposes.
The revelations startled all good
yet the belief was general
that these conditions were confined
10 the cities. Another awakening
took place, and the voice OF con-
arose throughout the
tate. investigation revealed h
.ancerous growth 10 the country
hat some of the most trusted aud
representatives had for
their high commission and
became involved I'm the meshes of
This was astounding TO the
people Of n great state, who had
taught TO believe in the In
egrity of those in oficial positions.
Honest Blood Is Royal Blood.
Missouri is a grand state and
by noble men and women.
Nowhere is honesty held in higher re-
ard in the hearts OF the people. Here
'onest blood is royal blood. and man
lood is the only patent of nobility. Z
The title of n Missouri citizen is n 1
'roud one. but II carries with IL re-
possibilities as well as privileges. q
Zach citizen owes a political duty to {
is state, as well as financial. Civic q
bligations are us morally binding as
axes, and he who avoids them is NJ Q
etter than the tax dodger. Indeed, !
he chief responsibility Of citizenship Q
the duty Of taking part in the Sc :