The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-09-12
VETERAN IMPRESSED
BY FOLKS TIDAL WAVE.
Doctor w. VI. McPheetcrS' NenSr""'N
Worker for Good Governments
Returns From Trip.

Doctor William M. McPheeters re-
turned from his outing recently. greatly
invigorated by his holiday. The doctor
has the distinction of being not only one
Of the Oldest citizens in St. Louis-be!ng
in his eighty-eighth year-but also of be-
ing one OF the most active and intelligent
workers for the cause of good govern
meIt.
He is one Of the few who might with
proprlety ~paraphrase Bismarck's cpl
gram by saying The first lightweight
years Of a mans life are the best"
The doctor said yesterday. when DOWN
town:
Il have been away about two months
and cannot say that ! am entirely in
: touch with the local situation. but this l
can say. that while absent l met a great
number of people from all over the coun-
try. and their one paramount thought
seems to be what Mr.. Folk so happily
christened The Missouri Idea namely,
tho idea of fidelity to high standards in
public office.
Missouri stand to-day in the eyes OF
the world as having achieved more IN me
way OF the punishment OF corrupt ON
Gals than any other State In the Union,
and more than it was believed possible
any State could accomplish. The people
with one accord ascribe this great and
successful movement 20 Joseph W. FOLK
Mob .dy means TO say that he Is the
only Ihan that could have done II. but
what everybody feels Is that he Is ;h-
lnan that has done It. And where a man
i responsible for a movement OF this KIND
he is rightly entitled TO the credit for II
His work has struck down deep into the
hearts Of the people.
Il have heard It sneeringly said that
even cough Mr.. Folk has proved to be
au CfIIcient Circuit Attorney. that does
not necessarily qualify him to be the Gov
eTuDr of the State. That may be strict
j. rue. But the Office of Governor re-
QuiTes INST the same qualities which MY.
Folk has 50 cOnspiCuOusly shown, name
excellent ability. Such criticisms come L
think. from sources which Will not al
feet Nr. Folks standing with the people.
II is q tradition Of the American pepple
10 make those who have been faithful
over a few things, rulers over many
Il have lived a good many years. and
have never seen nor heard OF sucn d
Spontaneous and widespread expression
OF approval as has come up from the peor
PIE OF this State in their Endorsement OF
lis official conduct. II IS enough to reas-
sure any one who has any doubt as 70
the devotion of the masses of the people
10 high ideals in public life. l am proud OF
mis- grand old State when I see with what
Uuauimity IL has arisen to do honor 10
this faithful public servant.
1T is my hope and that Of many thou
sands Of my elloT-citizen that Mr, OK
State next year by ~acclamation; that
there will be no other candidate In the
field against him In the Democratic party,
for I rejoice in the fact tndt Mr.. Folk is
4 Democrat Of the highest order-the old
style Democrat. true 10 the great ideals Of
In" party.
The eyes OF the world are already up
on Missouri. \ large part Of the world
will be in st. Louis at the Exposition. at
the time The nominating convention meets.
The issue Is Clearly and clearly drawn.
and il is not Democratic or Republican
II is the issue Of good government and
good government only.
If ~ any chance the Democratic organ-
izatiUH OF this State should refuse to
nominate A msa who stands so pre-emi-
uently FOR good government. the verdict
oT the world would be that the elements
in control Of the party organization have
deliberately chosen to turn down as they
say. the man who stands so pre-eminent-
Is for all that is good IN public life. but
in my opinion the Organization cannot
urn him dgwn.'