The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-16
THE RISEOF MR.. FOLK AND WHAT
IT,MEANS.

Two years ago the name Joseph w.
Folk was not known to anybody, except
a few personal friends. outside of st.
Louis. Even in that city he was known
by the many only as the Circuit Attorney
Of st. Louis, elected as a Democrat. He
was young lawyer of capacity. That
was all that was known about him.
Today Mr.. Folk is one of the most wide
ly and most favorably known men IN
America His rise into prominence is the
most interesting of recent political phe-
nomena. What is the explanation? The
explanation is one that does little or no
credit to the prosecuting officers oil
Americas rather reflection upon their
zeal in prosecuting wealthy or influential
law-breakers. 1t is a marvel how many
prosecuting attorneys shirk their duty
. when the accused has influence, or money,
or belongs TO their political party. This
Is particularly true in eases involving
bribery or other public corruption.
Mr.. Folks name is on every tongue
simply because he did his duty. 1t was j
hard duty, a difficult duty, an unpleasant
duty. calling for the exercise of courage,
good sense and ability. But no sworn Of
6cer ought to shrink from the perform
snce of the unpleasant duties OF the OF
flee. If he is unwilling to do the un-
pleasant duties incident to his office. Re
ought to have the decency to resign. All
over this country corruption fourlshes.
from the great departments In Washing
ton to the petty township positions. If
the law authorities were as Jealous to
Punish these public robbers as they are
to convict chicken thief, Mr.. Folk
wouldn't be today looked upon as such
a notable man. He would be not whit
less deserving of honor, but he would not
stand so nearly alone in the class of prose
cutting 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
moro bunglingly because the rascals were
new at the business. They are MOI ex
perts like the Philadelphia and Pennsyl-
vania aldermen and legislators. Mr.. Folk
has succeeded in the past eighteen months
IN placing under Indictment eighteen
councilmen, delegates and senators has
compelled the resignation of the ieuten-
aIt-governor, and has convicted some of
the boodlers. More than that: ne has
broken up the graft" sort of government
that dominates too many city and State
governments. In the ST. Louis city gov
eminent most of the "grafters' convicted
are Republicans. In the State govern
ment, most of them are Democrats.
Though a Democrat, he has prosecuted
grafters of his own party with as much
zeal as Republican grafters. In so doing
he has not only done his State service.
but has also served his party. 1t is ever
true that he who best serves his State
best serves his party.
Int pCOpiS VI Ot. LOUIS were 80 SSuSltIc
Of the great public service rendered by
Mr.. Folk that they offered to give him a
splendid home as token of their appre
citation. He declined the gift, stating mod
estly that he could not accept any gift
for doing his duty. That was Jefferson
ianism incarnate. Nj Folk talks as wise
ly as he acts. In a recent interview he
spoke thus vigorously against official cor
ruption:
The greatest enemies of thesv9epublic
today are the givers and takcrAbf brides.
The official who would betray his trust
would sell his country if he could.
mo State or nation can be injured by
getting rid Of physical or moral filth.
No more serious question confronts the
American people than the eradication of
bribery Other problems concern the
functions Of government, while this strikes
at the foundation of the Government
itself. other offenses violate the law.