Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-03
MISSOURI POLITICS
Mr.. A. J. Fleming Talks on
the Subject.
REPUBLICANS HOPEFUL
IF MACHINE DEMOCRATS FAIL TO
NOMINATE FOLK.
Good Work He Has Done in Running
Down Boodlers-Still We'd
ded to Bryan.

Mr.. A. ]. Fleming. editor Of the Braymer.
Mo-, Comet, and veteran in western
newspaper work and politics, is in Wash
ington today Mr.. Fleming was one of the
original Roosevelt editors; four years ago
he put Mr. Roosevelt's name at the head of
his paper, where 1t has remained since.
Under certain conditions the republicans
are very hopeful in Missouri" said Mr..
Fleming to Star reporter. IF the ma
chine democracy does not place Joseph w.
Folk at the head of the state ticket, and
does place machine man there, nothing
will prevent a republican victory IN Mis-
souri, in 1904. The rank and file of the Mis-
souri, democracy are for Folk, but II the
machine triumphs and places machine
man at the head of the ticket the chances
are that Mr.. Folk will be put upon some
other ticket and elected governor Of Mis-
souri,.
Whether Mr.. Folk would accept repub-
lican nomination If rendered him Is doubt
full: he is sterling democrat. clean man,
and has iron in his blood. 1t is believed,
however, In some quarters that the repupn-
cans may nominate a ticket, should Mr..
Folk be the democratic nominee. and also
place Mr.. Folk at the head of the republi-
can ticket. All Missouri is enthusiastic for
Mr.. Folk with the exception of the demo-
cratic machine which ignores him almost
In every dlrecUOn.
Good Work Of MI. Folk.
This enthusiasm for Mr.. Folk is the re-
suit of his splendid work in running down
boodlers and scoundrels. In ST. Louis eigh-
teen out of nineteen boodlers have been
convicted and given from three to five years
In the penitentiary. These cases are all
now in the supreme court. and will come
up for final adjudication in October.
In addition to the work that Mr.. Folk has
done in st. Louis four or five state senators
of prominence have been indicted, and
one of this number already has been con-
victed of soliciting bribes. Others will be
tried Immediately. Attorney General Crow
has very materially assisted Mr.. Folk In
this state work Of unearthing rascality.
I'm doing this work Mr.. Folk has, OF
course gained the bitter enmity of the
machine and several Of the men indicted
are conspicuous in state politics; hence
especially the bitter opposition of the ma
chine to Mr.. Folks candidacy"
Still Welded to Bryan.
"Are Missouri democrats still welded to
Mr. Bryan?' Mr.. Fleming was asked.
Yes, the rank and file of the Missouri
democracy are loyal to Mr.. Bryan. not,
however as a presidential candidate. but
they feel that he is a leader in whom they
can safely trust, and he is very popular in
Missouri, worshiped by possibly 6o per
cent of the Missouri democracy"
How about Mr. Cleveland?'
"Mr. Cleveland has no following in Mis-
souri, to speak of. D. r. Francis and a
few others, not 10 per cent of the Missouri
democracy, would stand for Mr.. Cleve-
land. Presidentially speaking, the Mis-
souri, democracy are at sea; but one thing
is sure-no goldbug of the Cleveland stripe
will satisfy the democratic party of Mis-
souri, Mr. Roosevelt Is idolized by Mis-
souri, republicans and there is absolutely
no opposition to him worth mentioning
for President in 1904