The St. Louis Republic., 1904-09-21
DOODLE ISSUE THE BEST FAME.

DOODLE ISSUE THE BEST FAME.
Doodle is the issue in Missouri; and the issue
means that this State has been and is throwing on
corruption. Doodle is also the issue in a Dozen per
haps two three dozen. other States-which are
throwing Off corruption. The difference is that
in Missouri issue is eve. while in other States
the eruptive process has not begun. The other
States like many peaks which are turned TO
witness a volcanic explosion in sister peak. In
the other States the disturbance is felt but ii has
not found an opening and outlet in politics For
other States suffering from besetting lobby and
bcodie influences Missouri expresses the actual test.
the trisI the ordeal Of reform.
The Republican candidate for Governor COM
plains that the issue nausurated 10y Folk and adopt
cd by the people is a bad thing for Missouri
BOodlers ought not TO be prosecuted and Doodle
should not be made an ISSUE he implies. because Of
the resultant publicity. But his proposition is in
defensible The prosecution Of crime and the polit
ica pursuit Of criminal forces is the best guaranty
which Missouri could offer tie world TO the char
acer Of its people and institutions. 1t must compel
increased respect for citizenship. enhance State
credit and invite commercial and social relations.
Capital seeks clean government. The honest cor
poration has the biggest to hate boedIer
Boodng renders laws insecure and the status Of
corporations unstable. 1t makes the corporation its
main prey: corporations are the subsistence OF the
lobby. Becoming the tools OF the inherently
crooked corporation the lobbyists and boodlers look
upon all corporations meat, and saudbag corpora
tons which otherwise in many instances would not
employ corrupt means and methods. DO away with
the paid procurers Of legislation and the black
maiers and sandbaggers Of decent enterprises and
you have offered the very highest inducements to
business TO come into Missouri The boodle issue is
the best advertisement which Missouri could have
1t is the best Missouri has ever had.
The Doodle issue means that Governor Folk and
the Democratic administration will maintain viC
liant defense against corruption. With the election
Of Democrats 10 the Legislature who are in SYM
pathy with the Folk side Of the ISSUE there will be
small opportunity for corrupt besiegng force.
Let the Republican voters Of the State see to il
that the socalled Republican nucleus OF Doodle
which mbedded itself in the last Legislature is thor
oughy routed and replaced by men Of integrity and
the accomplishment will be complete. In any event
the vigilance OF the Folk administration will be
proof against serious onsaughts or large attempts
at corruption 1t would take an intrepid boodler in
deed assail the citadel Of aggressive honesty
which will both expose and prosecute. Folks cleo
ton will mean conclusively that system OF boo
ding lobbyism do business at jefferson City
His election will be the overthrow of the system
which has found a refuge under the skirts of the
a
system with the success defeat OF its candidate.
The result Of the Doodle issue is to establish
higher standard Of governmental conduct in all re-
principle that the State must be ruled in the inter
ess Of the public clone. Missouri government for
Missourians Is secured for many. many years 10
come by the success Of the peoples war. 1t will
not be easy for the Doodle elements. weakened by
their present overthrow n system under Republic
protection reassemble under the conditions Of
administration during the next four years Even if
reassembled they could not in all prolab bty gain a
foothold In the Democratic party at the end Of
Folks term RepelIed by aggressive admnstra-
tion, they would be driven naturally into political
sympathy with the opposing party; the party in
which their strength has centered heretofore Their
Affiliations with that party would he strengthened
and the difficulty Of finding Democratic allies in
creased Conditions which obtain under Governor
Folk will necessarily influence favOraby the politics
Of four years hence and be prolonged into the
ceeding administration. Such conditions will vital
" initiate against the reconstruction OF the ma
chinery Of Doodle.
Crushed once, crushed for all time. will be true
Of boodling in Missouri. provided the Missouri idea
is taken up by the other States generally and boo
ding is made universally unfashicnable But
whether or not this should follow. the fact remains
that the doodle system cannot be rehabilitated in
this State for many years to come. Boode has been
driven into the weaker party and will be wholly
demoralized and stricken down in November-and in
the weaker party it must stay II 1t survives at all
Virtually cut of from all opportunity with Democ-
racy and reduced to the weaker party solely for its
weapon. boobies plight offers the very brightest
prospects to all the legitimate interests Of the State
for long time to come. Missouri should make the
most Of its advertisement to the world.
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