Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1903-08-01
SATURDAY, AUGUST 4.
THE RISE OF MR.. FOLK AND
WHAT 1T MEANS.

WHAT IT MEANS.
Two years ago the name OF 10.
seph W. Folk was not known to
anybody. except q few personal
friends, outside of st. Louis. Even
in that city he wac known by the
many only 40 the Circuit Attorney
of ST. Louis, elected az Democrat.
He was a young lawyer of capacity.
That wac all that was known about
him, says Ben Strother in the Gale
ma Times.
Today Mr.. Folk 10 one of the most
widely and most favorably known
men in America. HE rise into
prominence 10 the most interesting
of recent political phenomena.
What 10 the explanation The ex.
PLANTATION is one that does little or
no credit to the prosecuting oficera
of Americans rather reflection
upon their zeal in prosecuting
wealthy or influential law.breakers.
II is q marvel how many prosecut'
ing attorneys shirk their duty when
the accused has influence, or mon
ey, or belongs to their political par.
~. This 10 particularly true In
cases involving bribery or other
public corruption.
Mr.. Folk's name 10 on every
tongue simply because he did his
duty. 1t was hard duty, a difficult
duty, an unpleasant duty, calling
for the exercise of courage, good
sense and ability. But no sworn
officer ought to shirk from the per-
Torrance of the unpleasant duties
of the Office. If he 10 unwilling to
do the unpleasant duties incident
to his Office, he ought to have the
decency to resign. All over this
country corruption fourishes, from
the great departments In Washing
ton to the petty township positions
If the law authorities were 40 zeal
ous to punish these public robbers
az they are to convict a chicken
thief, Mr.. Folk wouldn't be today
looked upon az such notable man.
He would be not whit less deserv'
ing of honor, but he would not
stand 80 nearly alone In the class
of prosecuting officers.
ST. Louis, like most great cities,
has been the scene of notable bride
giving and bribe.taking. In the
Missouri Legislature legislation
has been bought and sold-no more
probably than in other states, but
more bunglingly because the ras-
cals were new at the business
They are not experts like the Phila-
delphia and Pennsylvania alder
men and Legislators. Mr.. Folk has
succeeded in the past eighteen
months in placing under indict-
ment eighteen councilmen, dele
gates and senators, has compelled
the resignation of the lieutenant
governor, and has convicted come
of the boodlers. More than that;
He has broken up the graft" sort
of Government that dominates too
many city and state governments
In the st. Louis city government
most of the "grafters" convicted are
Republicans. In the state govern
ment, most of them are Democrats
he has prosecuted grafters Of his
own party with az much zeal az Re-
publican grafters. In 30 doing he
has not only done his state . ser
vice, but has also served his party
| It 10 ever true that he who best
serves his state best serves HE
party.
The people of St. Louis were 90
sensible of the great public service
rendered by Mr. Folk that they Of
fered to give him q splendid home
az token of their appreciation. BE
declined the gift, stating modestly
that he could not accept any gift
for doing his duty. That was JET
fersonianism incarnate.' Mr. Folh
talks az wisely az he acts. In . re-
cent interview he spoke thus vigor.
ously against official corruption;a
1.-THE greatest'enenies of the Re.
public today are the givers and Ia.
kers of bribes.I ''., -