The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-12-23
G-overnnr.elect Losenh " Folk told yes

Governor-elect Joseph W Folk told yes
terday what he knew of the late James L.
Blair's connection with Doodle prosecution,
general civic reform movements and his
connection with the bar. at the hearing
before the Master in Chancery on the in
surance case.
According TO the evidence of Mr.. Folk,
Blair came forth as an advocate of purity
in city and business affairs. MIR. Folk
said he knew Blair as a light among men.
When his campaign Of honesty comnence1
and he prosecuted dishonest city officials,
funds for actual costs in court were not
at hand, he said.
All honest business men were friends OF
AIr. Folk. and when he appealed to them
for aid he was referred TO James L Blair.
he said. that attorney. with his position
and standing at the bar. could interest all
classes OF business IN honesty. he ayerred.
Like the witnesses before him, Mr.. Folk
appeared reluctant TO disclose facts which
between him and Blair were secret and
sacred. Questioning. however. brought
| out every detail and laid it bare so that
personal transactions became public rec
ords.
Mr. Felix testified as to tho length OF
time he had known Blair; his Practice in
local courts. and his standing in the com
munity as a lawyer and citizen.
In particular the Governor elect disclosed
that part taken by Blair in raising funds
to prosecute boodiers. The Questioning at
torneys shaped their queries so that they
would injure the reputation OF Blair. but
when Mr.. Folks testimony WAS finished
IT. i-z-. ....sl1, ,5-,r- NO. INDN
JUDGE Seldom TESTiFIES.
Judge Seddon. partner OF Mr.. BAR. c.
| cupIed almost the entire afternoon with
his testimony. He was 50 closely associ-
ated with Blair. he sad. that be- had in
time come TO look upon him as almost a
son. The testimony OF Judge Seldom Of
fered no material nv points. but it went
over the latter years % Bia'rs life t
| placed in an entirely new light the disso-
luton OF the firm Of seldom & Blair.
II was generally thought that when the
charges against Blair were S3oSt2atiattd
Judge Seddon Immediately dissolved part
nership with him. HIS narrative yesterday
brought out the fact that the witness was
almost the last one to believe in B!a:r's
dishonesty.
Repeatedly before the crisis came and
rumors we're current aft citing BARS
honesty. judge Seldom said he refused to
| believe them. When facts bo!e in heavily
upon him. and Il became impossible longer
! to refute current talk. Judge Seddon
| called in his partner and 20 him said that
tire tine of talking Lad passed and now
! facts must be shown.
Judge Seldom offered to 20 over Biair's
| books and accounts. In his own words
| the witness related The facts as follows:
When made this proposition jim was
| adverse to accepting It. He said that l
WIS too busy to attend 10 such matters.
I insisted that II was not n small matter
by any means. and il was necessary 10
! ADJUST It at once"
TOLD OF RELATIONS.
In response to questioning Judge Sed-
don told Of the relations Blair held with
Dick Bros. of philadelphia.
In the course OF his testimony Judge
| Seldom said that Blair bore such relation
to him. and vas so high in his regard
| that 1t would have been impossible 10 be-
lieve any wrong of him.
While investigating the rumo-s regard
ing B!ai-. Judge Seldom went to- d. X.
Francis. At that lime Blair was general
| counsel OF the Louisiana Purchase Expo
sition. Of which Mr.. Francis was presi-
| dent. According 10 the witness My. Fran
| cis said oandidly that he had learned
that Blair had told unt-uths, and tina ne
had no further confidence in him. Even
this and other testimony did not shake
| Judge Seddon's confidence in his partner.
1t was only when such facts were pre-
| scented as were undenilble that he sub
mitted.
in detail Judge Seldom told Of Blai-'s
explanation. He said tina Blair tod him
that his brother had committed forgeries
and TO preEerve the family name he had
been Obliged to sacrifice u great deal il
order to clear him.