Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1903-09-17
FOLK EXPONENT
on PEOPLES idea. :
Former State Senator Web NJ. Rubey
Strongly Declares for the
Circuit Attorney.
STRONG FOLK CLUB Ar MACON
One Hundred and Twenty Democrats
Sign as Charter Members of the
Organization Enthusiastic
Meeting,

From the st. Louis Republic
MACON, Mo-, September 11.--A
Joseph w. Folk club 120 strong was
organized at the court house last
night. Many Of the most distinguished
citizens Of the county were present.
Former State Senator Web NJ. Rubey,
In calling the meeting to order, said
be was for Mr.. Folk for Governor be-
cause he had all his life consistently
advocated the principles the st.
Louisan stood for, no matter which
party presented them.
"It has been repeatedly asked by
those who are disposed TO attempt to
stem the popular tide for Mr.. Folk,
why is his name always associated
with the talk of honest government?
Is be the only man who possesses in-
tegrity in the State? Are no criminals
prosecuted except by him? Why, in
the name OF common sense, they say,
lis the name Of Joseph W. Folk being
used as a household word throughout
the counties of Missouri to-day any
more than that of hundreds Of other
good men who have done their sworn
duty?'
''Do you know why tonight this
club is going to heartily indorse Mr..
Folk for Governor? l will tell you
why, and at the same time answer the
criticisms noted. 1t is because there
never has been a movement In the
worlds history inaugurated for the
good Of mankind, that has not been
led or associated with somebody
around whom the. people naturally
and spontaneously rally because he
stands as the living exponent of the
great idea in the interests Of the gen.
eral welfare for which they are strug-
CLING.
EXPONENT OF PEOPLES IDEA.
"Joseph W. Folk is the exponent of
that idea-that hope for a better gov
ernment-by virtue Of his official
action and successful labors In that
direction. The people have pro-
nounced his work well done. They
have accepted his accomplishments as
an evidence Of good faith--as an earn-
est Of what be will do If placed at the
head Of the State administration.
"Folk to-day is the personal ex-
ponent Of the wishes and hopes Of the
people of Missouri. That is why you
hear his name on every tongue when
the subject Of honest government is
mentioned.
Referring to recent speech made
in st, Louis by Mayor James Reed, of
Kansas City, Mr.. Rubey said:
"Mr. Reed, OF Kansas City, in a
speech at the Jefferson Club, st.
Louis, night before last, made re-
markable statement which wish to
call your attention to. That is, 1t is
remarkable II he was correctly re-
ported, and l presume he was. Here
is what Mr.. Reed is quoted as saying:
+" Any party is liable to make mis-
takes in the selection of men for State
and city offices, and when a party
undertakes to remove from office dis
honest men that it has been more or
less instrumental In putting there,
the party is not to be condemned.
"Then he says; 4 think / can
think of nothing more contemplate
than for one man to seek to build up
his fortunes by tearing down the
character Of Others
TERROR TO BooDLERs.
"If language means anything, that
is a direct thrust at Joseph Folk, who
undoubtedly has been tearing down
the regulations of the boodlers and
bribers to a greater extent than any
man ever did before In this State. He
has certainly done what brings him
within the fire zone Of Mayor Reeds
battery. Mr.. Folk has now q men
between the Supreme Court and the
walls Of the penitentiary. Is he to
be condemned for that-fof blasting
or tearing down the characters Of
those men? II Mayor Reed has a
contempt for that kind of prose-
cutor, have no use for the Mayor as
Governor Of this State.
'srhese are simply my views. II the
reporter has misquoted Mr.. Reed his
friends can defend him, but l say 1t is
a mean, contemplate insinuatlon. 1t
could not have been meant for any
other than Mr.. Folk: The Mayor has
several times thrown out these sort Of
slurs against Mr.. Folk, the object
being to charge him with tearing
down the character Of others In order
to build his own reputation. II the
Democratic party of Missouri were to
put up a man whose utterances or
whose sympathies were against the
work Of Joseph W. Folk, l don't hesl-
tate TO say / would not support him
under any circumstances. Mycountry
and honest government are far dearer
to me than the success of my party"