The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-07-19
Farmers Heartily for Folk, and
Strong Enough to Run
the Convention.
EXPRESSIONS ON PARKER.
Missouri Politicians, While Not
Claiming Enthusiasm, Say
Candidate Will Easily
Carry the State.
BY A STATE CORRESPONDENT.

BY n STAFF CORRESPONDENT.
Jefferson City. Mo. July 1S.-Grimly de-
termined in their espousal OF the cause of
Joseph w. Folk. the delegates from the
country began to arrive in large numbers
to-day. They We're everywhere in evil
dence, and not long after their strength
and their intentions became clear the pre-
liminary defeat of the machine became
apparent.
Early to-day many expressed the opin-
ion that Cook would be nominated on the
first ballot But the influx Of so many Of
these farmer Democrats. for whom this is
a first experience at n State convention
materially changed the outlook. Big white
badges with such declarations as the fol-
lowing printed upon them looked signifl-
cant: Folk and Il New Deal Folk and
n Clean Sweep" and Folk and Good Gov
ernment."
The farm the city business element and
professional Ten never before were 80
predominantly represented at a Missouri
convention. This is the remark of many
man who has attended many a State
convention.
1t is an astonishing thing to see the
Washington avenue Inerchants-the Folk
Indians as they are derisively called
hobnobbing, as n part of the new State
house crowd" with the farmers, the
younger lawyers and editors who hitherto
have been on the outside in state politics.
ALL ELEMENTS PRESENT.
Not that the county and State ring pol
iticians are absent. They are here by the
score minus the one essential upon which
for so long they have had monopoly
votes.
In the sense OF the crowd present the
State Convention is in full swing. The
lobby OF the Madison is rammed and
jamrled. and everybody is talking. hand
shaking and perspiring. Jefferson City is
making every effort to provide sstisfac-
tory accommodations and has done well
thus far.
Underlying the theme of the nomina-
tions to be made here. and the question
of the probable policies of the new Folk
regime. lies one subject OF converse ton.
the tone Of which probably has important
meaning in respect to the results on Mis-
souri, next November.
1t is the national ticket-Pa.knr and
Davis.
The crowd here includes all elements
the congressman. the county and city
politicians the country and city lawyers
and the farmers. Opinions expressed re
fleet sentiment as nearly as 1t can be
reflected at this early date upon the re-
organized Democracy.
ALL FOR PARKER.
AS said, Parker enthusiasm is not on
the surface. But the ideas which were
brought to the capital are more encour-
aging than would be expected That
Parker will carry the State easily Is the
'ardict with the addition that Folks
name Sn the ticket Will render tho ma
jority overwhelming. The following es-
Inmates of opinion from various sections
of the State comprise az index to the
situation.
John T Heard of Pettis County: Il
have seen and talked with representative
Democrats OF all walks of life in my
county, and can say that I have not
heard one say that he will not vote that
ticket. They are. perhaps. little sore
that the Eastern men had such n walk
| over in St Louis. but they Will forget
that In a little while. They say that what
| was done was the best thing to do. and
| while they are free to criticise the Parker
telegram. they. nevertheless. express ad-
| miration for the courage of the man who
sent it,
| Congressman Champ Clark: Il have not
| seen many of the people in my district
But from what hear. cannot see reason
! for alarm
Congressman Dougherty: "Of course.
many of the farmers dislike seeing the
| party placed upon n goldstandard plank
| in the way in which 1t was done. / must
| admit that do not find any great degree
| of enthusiasm for the ticket, but l be-
| lieve that they think the ticket and the
platform a lot better than the Republican
| ticket and platform"
! Judge W. N. Evans OF West Plains: II
| have talked with many Of the farmers
| 10th here and down in my section Of the
State. and though. as one always will. I
| found many GROWERS. not one whom I
have met has said that he will not vote
the ticket. / believe that the Democrats
| are wholly satisfied with the ticket in Mis-
| souri,. and that the degree of their en-
| thusiasm will increase as they begin to
realize a truly capable man has been
| chosen to head the ticket. 4 man not
dominated by David b. Hill or anybody
else. With Folk and n clean State ticket
Parker will carry Missouri by an unpre-
cedented majority
| REUNITED PARTY.
| ]. NJ Atkinson OF Ripley County: 1.-The
| more we learn Of Judge Parker the more
| we are individually satisfied with the
| nomina ton. l think that is the opinion.
| too, of others besides myself. / find that
| in my district the Democrats either ac-
cept the ticket unreservedly or do so as
| Bryan accepted it in his statements on the
| subject Besides that. we have with us
an element Of tie party which has been
on the other side for eight years. I know
we'll win in Missouri and believe we will
| In the country.
Frank Russell Of Laclede County: The
| Democratic vote will be polled for Parker
| in my county, and then when you con-
slider that Folk Is the State candidate, the
whole question becomes as simple as can
be in my estimation"
| N B. Martin of Vernon County: II an
| a farmer myself. and l think | know what
| I'm talking about when l say that we've
| been free-silver people from the beginning
| in Vernon County. But think the farm
| ers of Missouri realize. with the Demo.
| Gratis of the East. that the money Ques-
| ton is no longer an issue. OF course the
| telegram varied some OF us; but on
| thinking 1t over, we've come to the con-