The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-23
FOLKS FIGHT AGAINST GRAFT.


It's moral should be noted by all--par-
ticularly by prosecuting attorneys.
He was a young lawyer, with a fair
practise and not great reputation
making his way to the front in ST.
Louis. He was regular Democrat
without frills and always supported
the nominees. He was known to the
Democratic leaders as a capable and
worthy young attorney, and he was
nominated and elected prosecuting at
torney. He came into office at a
time when the st. Louis City Council
had been converted into den of
thieves. Graft and Doodle held high
carnival. But exposure came, hood
Iers lit out for tall timber, some went
to Mexico and others to Canada to
"wait till the storm blows over.
Fortunately Mr.. Folk was a man who
had the right conception of his duty
The storm did not elbow over" and
the grafters and boodlers had to stand
trial. No Arrangement was made
with those who, as Democratic lead
ers, had supported Folk. and felt that
he ought to show gratitude and let
them down light ITO save the good
name of the party He knew no
politics among boodlers and prose-
cuted Democratic and Republican
boodlers alike. st. Louis had so long
been dominated by Doodle aldermen
that Mr. Folks plain discharge of his
sworn duty brought him great repu-
tation, and he awoke one morning to
find himself famous. About the same
time it was discovered that corrupt
LOBBYISTS exerted undue influence in
the Legislature. City and State were
cursed with a ring of lobbyists who
assumed to dictate. They were the
creatures of trusts and other illegal
corporations that maintained a lobby
to "save their bacon" There was
call for Folk to become Governor and
try to rid ST. Louis and the State of
grafters and boodlers. He was vio-
lently opposed by the city vote, but
the country voters earnestly support
ed him, and he has now been nom1-
mated on a platform that is an honor
to the great Democratic party in
Missouri. In his speech of acceptance
Mr.. Folk said:
1.-THE responsibility for the existence
Of corruption does not rest upon
either party, but the Democratic
party has assumed the responsibility
,.t., ant mr.
good citizens of every political belief
to aid u.s. The battle against Doodle
has only commenced in Missouri. If
l am elected to a larger field of OPP
portunity l propose to make Missouri
the most unhealthy place in all the
land for corruptionists to operate in
There are grafters in all parties.
In Pennsylvania and Delaware, where
Doodle politics have resigned supreme,
the Republican party, instead of as
Stunning the responsibility for stamp
ing it out has deliberately set the
seal of it's approval upon it by the
recognition of Addicks aid Byrne. In
Missouri under Folks lead, the peni-
tertiary doors open ITO boodlers; in
Pennsylvania success in grating in a
small office is a sure passport to a
higher office. This is not because the
Republicans of Pennsylvania are cor
rupt-thel bulk of them are hon
est-but because they are dominated
by a strong and corrupt political ma
chine that is so well oiled that its cor
ruption passes unheeded; and when
it is known, the people feel that it is
impossible to remedy the evils and
make no resistance.
Graft has obtained too strong hold
upon public life everywhere. In
town and city men find that politics
pays and they use their political in
fluence to put money in their purse,
directly and indirectly. The people
of every city should stamp out the
first sproutings if they would prevent
its growth to such proportions as to
overshadow public honesty.