Mexico weekly ledger., 1904-05-12
FOLK now NOMINATED.

From the ST. Louis Republic.
Joseph W. Folk is the choice Of the
Missouri Democracy for the Cover
norship. No doubt is left In any
reasonable mind. The people have
settled upon an intention to identify
him with the Missouri Idea.
The Republic makes no claim OF
having discovered or promoted Mr..
Folks candidacy. Back in 1900 the
Republic made him the central issue
OF the reform campaign urging that
the chief need was a prosecuting OIL
Ger who could and would deal with
the known corruption Ia municipal
affairs. After years OF warfare
against the gang, the Republic had
convinced the voters OF St Louis that
the government OF the city, especially
in the legislative branch, was reeking
with bribery and graft. When MIR.
Folk was nominated for the Office Of
Circuit Attorney the Republic show
ed that here lay the great opportunity
for honest public opinion In the
election Of a clean, capable, fearless
man to the office which could grapple
WITH expose and punish the corrup-
tionists. The people accepted the
issue. Mr.. Folk and the rest of the
ticket were elected. The State and
the United States know the rest of a
movement which has spread to every
section and forced action In Washing
ton.
After his crusade against Doodle be-
gan the Republic vas the principal
instrument of keeping the public
mind aroused to the Importance Of his
great work. 1t concentrated around
him the active support Of the Sincere
elements OF reform.
But for his nomination to the Gov
ernorship 1t claims no credit beyond
that Of insisting that no nan could be
nominated who opposed or belittled
his deeds. There we're and are many
high-minded Democrats In Missouri
whose equipment for the Governor
ship could not be doubted. There
seemed to be no reason requiring the
Republic to depart from its rule of
impartiality toward candidates for
party nomination.
The people have decided the ques-
tion for themselves. The result at
this point of the canvass is umistak-
able. MI. Folk is to be the nominee
of the Democratic State Convention.
1t would be a futile affectation to as
sumo that there is any longer a con-
test.
Not enough delegates are yet elect
ed to make for him a majority, but he
has an overwhelming preponderance
among those so far elected by the
counties. The Republics most reli-
able advices from the counties yet to
choose delegates are all of one kind.
He will carry nearly all of them by
sweeping majorities; just as he has SC
far carried every one where the issue
was left to the people and where the
governorship was not complicated by
the enminties of local factions.
Mr.. Halves has practically with
drawn, though he has the Ill dele
gates elected in st. Louis. Every
friend OF Mr.. Reed has abandoned ex-
pectation Of securing further strength
OF any consequence. Judge CAN'T has
not been at any stage a active candi-
date. 1t is the unanimous opinion OF
the men who know Missouri that Mr..
Folk will be the Democratic nominee.
~Prolongation OF the remnant of a
contest would be only q selfish disre-
gard Of the party's interests. 1t is
now time to admit the will of the
people as Of record; and next to turn
all efforts toward a "unification of the
Democratic party for the campaign.
Mr.. Folk is to be the candidate. He
deserves to have the greatest majority
In the history Of u State elections.
1t should now be the business OF every
Democrat to help in producing that
unprecedented majority. Loyal party
men should devote themselves to max
ing nominations for the rest Of the
State ticket which will honor and
strengthen the man at the head; to
directing all local nominations
throughout the State to the purpose
of presenting an unbroken front of re-
preventative citizens to the voters in
November.
1t is an obligation upon the whole
party to end at once the governorship
question so that the energies of Demo-
Gratis may be free to unite on the other
preparations for a great aggressive
campaign. The nomination is settled.
The time has now come for beginning
the campaign for the triumphant
election Of Joseph W. Folk, whom the
people, without the compulsion Of
or cliques, have selected to
be the exponent of the Missouri Idea
of crushing bOOdle and graft