Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-11-26

= - NAlaA NNUUD-
lican papers, and lately some self
serving Democrats, have been ingeni-
oHsly creating an erroneous impress
sion of political conditions in 81, Louis.
Ii is tor the purpose OF correcting
these false impressions that this ad-
dress is made, 1t not being my inten-
ton at this time to discuss National
issues and only those State questions
which grow out OF the st. Louis sltua-
tion. Later | trust that | may be able
10 discuss those principles advocated
by tho Democratic party and to expose
the fallacy of the doctrines now being
taught by the party Of piutocracy.
In dealing with my subject | shall
endeayor TO avoid the use Of plati-
tudes, and shall not seek to adorn my
address with well-known quotations
whose excellency of thought and merit
in diction have been ~expounded and
discussed by every political tyro since
the days when Jefferson and Hamilton
first contested in the arena Of Amer
ican politics. For my part | find that
the active mind of the day, whether 1t
be of the farmer or the merchant, the
blacksmith or the banker, requires
thought more than words, demands the
discussion of issues by public men
rather than their avoidance. If, there
fore, l proceed to the discussion of
my subject in direct and blunt terms,
emitting the statement of self-eyident
truths, l hope that what | say may
make up in clearness what it probably
will lack in oratorical flourish and
meaningless rhetorical display. .
Shrewdly and with much cunning,
Republican papers, assisted by those
Democrats whose absence from the
council boards of their party has filled
them with such jealousy that they
are now being unconsciously used as
powerful allies of our established Re-
publican foes, are adroitly disseminat-
ing unfounded Republican statements.
1t would seem to an unprecedented
observer that the Democratic party
in st. Louis, after its recent magni1-
cent victories, after the overthrow OF
the corrupt forces of the Republican
party which It has accomplished, after
its recent assistance to the State De-
mocracy, would need no defense at this
time. Strange. indeed, II is, that the
great metropolis Of the Mississippi
Valley, which has for sixteen years
been under Republican rule, now SOL
idly Democratic, and giving to the peo-
pie Of st. Louis, and indirectly the
people OF Missouri, the best govern
ment It has ever had, should be called
upon TO answer any charges. 1t seems
10 me that II Is deserving more OF
praise than Of censure. that IL is de-
serving more OF applause from coun-
try Democrats than of suspicion.
Designing demagogues, hoping to ad-
vance their political fortunes, are try
ing quietly TO fan the blazes OF jeal-
ousy and suspicion between city Dem
ocrats and their country comrades. BY
i%nnuendo, by suggestion, rather than
by direct charge. Is their work ae-
complished. am here tonight to an
swer these Democratic renegades and
TO reply to the more open yet not more
villalnous slanderers OF the Repub-
llcan press.
All classes Of our citizens are proud
OF the work Of reform which is going
on in st. Louis. Mayor Wells is doing
his full duty, and Circuit Attorney Folk
in the conduct of his office has re-
celved, and Is still receiving. my full
tsympathy and cooperation in his pros
ecution of corrupt officials and bribe-
glvers. Every Democratic official in
st. Louis applauds him for his com
mendable zeal in the performance Of
his public duties.
The matters which | shall particu-
larry call to your attention are:
First-The attempt to confuse in the
minds of the public the corruption
which existed under Republican rule
with the present model Democratic adj
ministration;
Second-The false picture which has
been painted of Mr.. Joseph Folk stand
ing singly and alone in an heroic
fight for honest government unassist-
ed by his brother Democratic officials;
Third-The outrageous and SANDER
Gus 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
Of his failure TO support his party when
called upon to do so by Democratic
leaders and others. when his failure
to declare himself was a campaign is
sue.
These four subdivisions Of my gen.
eral subject will form the basis of my
remarks tonight. The injustice of
these accusations and insinuations are
well understood In st. Louis by Dem
ocrats, but no st. Louis newspaper
having thus far sought to explain
them. the necessity probably not being
apparent, ! believe II incumbent upon
me 20 do so.
CONDITIONS IN ST. LOUIS PRIOR
TO 1900.
The political conditions In St Louis
under Republican rule were absolutely
lntolerable. Favortism and gfaft were
the -9le. The exposures of St. Louis
grand jurles 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,
%inGecency In high places and q total
lack Of dignity everywhere. A mayor
whose coarse buffoonery was a con-
slant 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
I'VE got a moon yet, Amt it?' which
afterwsrd became a Democratic slogan
The city government became democrat
lied, streets were unpaved, hospitals
and warehouses became g~erm-infected
Institutions, the city's insane and poor
were crowded together like hogs In n
pen. little children were placed in IN
stitutions side by side with hardened
criminals IN take their first lessons In