The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-11
HOW TO CHECK LOBBYING.

Lobbying on large scale in State
recent growth. This State has never had
as much as most other States, but it
has been cursed by the miasmatc influ-
ence of the lobbyists. In Georgia a spe-
cial investigating committee, appointed to
investigate lobbying, will make it's report
today Of course the lobbyists and the
lobby -apologists are declaring that all the
talk is made up of SANDER and is voiced
by demagogues. But the investigation
has shown that there is fire where the
smoke abounds.
Missouri is the only State shat has
punished lobbyists and corruptionists, and
it is nearly all due to the courage and
ability of one man, Mr.. Joseph Wlngate
Folk, Of st. Louis, Mo-, who as district
attorney, has prosecuted them. He has
the malefactors, who usually pose as par
ty leaders and distinguished gentlemen,
but has told the people how corrupt lob
bying can be stopped In a recent
speech Mr.. Folk said:
Select representatives who will not toll
crate corrupt lobby; men pledged to
stamp out bribery from public office;
men who will not allow the touch OF
the unclean dollar to contaminate legis-
lative halls; men who are brave enough
to speak out and denounce corruption;
men who will expose venality, not con-
cea it,
Missouri is on trial before the world.
Her fair name is at stake. Good citizens
must defend her from those VINO would
debauch her honor to selfish ends. There
have been many fights for freedom IN
the history of civilization, and the battle
is not yet ended. Peace hath her Veto
RES no less renowned than war. The
overthrow of corruption here would be
the greatest battle won for good govern
nlent in the tide of times. fearless
and righteous decision upon this mighty
issue will give encouragement and cheer
to the laW-abiding everywhere. Grid up
your loins for the fight and let the decree
be announced and enforced that the
bocdlers must GO
1.-The corruptionists have insolently de-
nianded of the people: What are you
gong to 10 about il: an answer Will
be given by hundreds of thousands of
patriotic Missourians who hate corrup-
ton and despise wrong, and when it is,
the force of evil will be buried under an
avalanche of civic Righteousness. Mis-
souri,, the fifth State in population, will
then be the first in civic honor and
American manhood
my friends, | am not an alarmst
when 1 say that if these conditions be
permitted to go on in city, State and
nation, then the death of the nation
itself is but a question of time. Like
the Republics of old that attained a pin
nacle of greatness and were undermined
by corruption, ours will fellow the same
course and have the same historical re
cord Since the dawn of creation gov
ernments innumerable have lived and
died; dynasties have decayed and dia-
dems crumbled. Republics with as
splendid possibilities as ours have exist
ed and tottered off the stage of the
world into oblivion. They were under
mined by the same insidious corruption
that threatens US. Will history repeat
itself?
Wnere wars, peStllence, 1amlneS ana
all other calamities combined have de-
stroyed one government, corruption has
destroyed score. When we behold as
in vision the nations of other days that
rose, declined and fell, we can see that
one thing they lacked was mcn-honest
men. without these governments must
molder into dust; with these the high
est summit of human achievement may
be attained.
mo grander, nobler opportunity was
ever given to good people than the fight
now going on in Missouri against public
evils. 1t is battle of right against
wrong; of the true against the false
Evil has been arrogant, but tha day of
reckoning has come