The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-06-04
The Jackson County Machine
EDITOR IETELLIGFNcER:

governor 10 a vote of the people Of The
party at a primary election to be held
in tba, county, June 18th 1904. 1t de
cIded also that there should be no vote
of the people on any other state office,
nor should there be any deli gates
elected to the State Convention which
is 10 nominate candidates for slate
offices, but that the man chosen as the
candidate Tor governor should have
the right to select the delegates. This
gives the successful candidate for the
governorsbip in that county the power
to say for what Other state Offices Jack
son %ccuntl's fort! five votes shall be
cast in the nominating convention.
AS there was no other candidate for
governor in the field save MIR. Folk,
it was Intended TO give al this power
to him.
l have beer, from the beginning. al
ardent advocate OF Mr.. Folk as the
most suitable candidate for governor
on the democratic ticket. Long before
there was any popular m vement in
his behalf, advocated his nomination
because / believ, d he would be a strong
man before the people.
l believed him to he an honest man,
who would do right under all circum-
stances.
For years, in my limited way, l have
been opposing and protesting against
"machine" rule in politics. ! believe
that machine rule and Official corrdp
ton go together, one depending large.
ly upon the other. / have not been
one Of those who have foollshly cbarg.
ed that the officers elected were part Of
the "macblne." Machine rule means
party government by comnntees which
keep themselves in power by tricks
and sharp practices, and using fol-
personal ends the power and authority
delegated to them for the general good
Party machinery is a necessity anC
committees are a necessary part Of
u that machinery, and ] believe in hsv
= ing the very best and most effective
u party machinery possible; but com
mittees are intended to be the servant
of the party, and to provide the hes
= method for enabling the voters of th,
party 10 give expression TO their will
J Then the machinery serves il
right and only legitimate purpose; bu
D. when il is used to thwart tue will U
y the voters, or To prevent them from
70 far and full expression of their will, d
defeats the only purpose for which il
was created, and "%machine" rule be
comes an un%mitigated evil.
That there has been much of thi
in many places cannot be denied
Hence comes midwinter primaries, snaI
conventions and the like.
|. l looked upon Mr.. Folks candidacy
as a most excellent opportunity to ge
y public sentiment aroused upon all o
= these abuses, and it was the genera
belief that he was opposed to suct
party practices, and would not counte
c nance them and this belief prevailed
among the masses Of the party, anC
accounts for the phenomenal turning
b toward him, latterly, when the impress
b sion got abroad that all OF the "ma.
= chine" politicians were lighting him
70 This was even more effective in hi
2 behalf than his reputation as a prose
cutor Of boodlers, and shows how tn
popular mind had become disguised
WIN mdCuluO uiOLhllOu.
! l am yet of the opinion that Mr.. Fol
I is opposed to all such methods, and tina
as soon as he has fully considered thI
! case he will refuse to take the par
: marked ont for him BY the Jackso.
! county committee. l shall continue t,
Z hold to that opinion until be defnitel
announces otherwise.
In the NEAR time there can be moth
! ing but the severest censure and strong
est condemnation Of the action Of til
Jackson county committee IN the mind
of every advocate Of honest polite
Z who has not allowed his partisan yes
Z to obscure his moral vision, and clou
! his mental horizon. The mere state
I ment of the proposition gives such
: shock to every sense Of natural jusLiC
that 1t is scarcely possible to speak 4
1t IN temperate language. AH.
I 1t Is as fragrant q viOlstion Of N
a rfKkto % tkn 1oOozo,oa. - tV-A..