The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-07-22

.Ioseph u, Folk. whose name has pc
come household word, has triumphen
aver all his foes, and in spite Of the OPP
nos,t,on Of boodlers and their a associates,
in spite of the opposlilllo-inl slt q
the political machine has been
unanimously nominated for Governor by
t,e Democrats of Missouri His nomna-
hon is a great victory for courageous
! honesty in office and for civic righteous
ness Ills nomination shows that the y
people will hnnof, uphold and promote t4
the Official who his duty d fiance
of the insoient Opposition Of criminal r11.1l
wealth. and in spitosof all the deterrent
pressure which 1t rnay=bTilg to bear.
The nomination Of Mr., Folk under these
circ,lmst ances is a warning to boodlers;t
is an inspiration TO every dutiful Office
holder. and it is reassuring 10 every citi-
zen who desires clean politics and honest,
government.
The bribery plank of the platform upon
which Mr.. Folk is nominated IS one OF the
s strongest pronouncements on that sub
jet ever declared by a political party
( II 4 n . ~ Il
..The appalling exposures Of corruption
in Missouri have brought upon the good
citizens OF this State the responsibility
Of stamping out the things that dishonor
and Cypress Good citizens may innocent-
Nv do wrong, but federation of known
abuses Is criminal. No party can be hurt
BY getting rid OF rascals, No State can
he injured by the enforcement OF the
(! law. The. "a disgrace is in liberation, not IN
mi i,ar M I, pucr mis-
sion III store for any political party than
81 10 fight public evils. The subject of the
eradication OF bribery is more important
than any other, for other problems con-
5 Germ The functions OF government, While
4 this goes to the existence OF government
itself Corruption In public life, II toll
Grated will lead to the destruction OF
Z free government"
These words have the flavor and force
OF the Declaration OF Independence. The
&. pronouncement ie a declaration OF In
dependence. The honest Democracy Of
Missouri has thrown Oft the yoke OF
boodlers, thrown down the gauntlet to
bribe-glvers. bribe-takers and political
corrupt!onists, and has served notice upon
them. not only that they will not be per-
mitted to run the government. but that
they Will be pursued and prosecuted to
the full extent Of the law. Never truer
saying than that good citizens may inno-
4 Gently do wrong, but that federation Of
known abuses Is criminal. The voters
are responsible for political abuses when
by mediterranean worse, by federation
they permit rascals to FIJI the Offices OF
government. Thecr are times when neg
lect of duty is as criminal as any over,
act
All honor to Joseph w Folk. OF Mis-
souri,. The public conscience OF Missouri
had become dormant; bribery had bcconie
SO common that the people accustomed
themselves to it and were not even OF
Tended nj lis practice. But Joseph "
FOLK, as circuit attorney exposed ilt
evil in MI It's hdeousness. quickencd III
"A public conscience, aroused the people i,
activity, and wrought one OF The mos
notable and significant reforms Of tn,
age, and Let ls hope that the Influence,
~ II will be felt Throughout, tho t1nlo,
Hurrah for tbs Democracy Of 1904