New-York tribune., 1905-02-06
MISSOURI LOBBYISTS.
10 BE Kept 447cay from State Capi-
tol-Col. Slupskys Sustendnce.

St Louis. Feb. CspeciaD-ciovernor Folk has
given the Missouri lobbyists hours in which to
leave the Capitol at Jefferson City. He has warned
the throng of Legislative agents. just Inspector
Byrnes used to give notice 20 the crooks when
they approached the famous downtown dead line
in Nev-York And the lobbyists, like the mice who
have long nibbled at the legislative cheese, are
very bitter against the cat, Governor Folk, who
has driven them scampering to their holes. Cow
ernor Folk does not propose to exclude the lobby
from Jefferson City entirely but he declares that
their work be conducted along strictly le
gitimate lines. This is Governor Folks official edIct
to the lobbyist:
You must report 70 me when you come to Jefrer-
son ci{y ,I ana the PURPOSE OF your coming. ,A 90
fects your employers. you have a perfect right TO
appear before the committee. but
in any particular visit.
whatever business you have on hand.
Governor Folk has not Yet intimated what
the consequences may be in Of infractions
of his ultimatum, but declares that he is deter
mined TO keep the lobbyist away from the State
House. even from maintaining headquarters at
tho capital. There will be exception To the
general rule have decided to adopt with respect
to the representatives OF corporations interested IN
legislation said Governor Folk. The Cover
has likewise decreed that the lobbyist, on his
arrival in town, must, demand. inform the Iesis
| latve newspaper correspondents concerning his
business in Jefferson City. and answer any legiti-
mate questions concerning his modus operandt
The first to come under the ruling against
/ lobbyists was Colonel William r. Phelps. a pict-
uresque legislative agent. who has been long and
successfully known as the king Of the Missouri
lobby Colonel Phelps's coming to Jefferson
| City has for thirty years been heralded with
concealed delight by the hayseed and city Legislator
| alike. His appearance on the scene has meant
much TO the State lawmakers. 1t has meant rail-
road passes gelore-thst was no secret. Sometimes
! it meant much more 10 those who were next to
| the good things that often to him who waits
! and votes right.
| Colonel Phelps Is the agent Of the railroad cor
porations which embrace the Missouri Pacific. the
| Chicago and Alton the St. Louis. Iron Mountain
and Southern, ard the ST. Louis. Southwestern rail-
! road companies.
| So It is easv to see why Colonel Phelps
| always welcomed with joy and glad hands when
/ he struck and he generally hit Jefferson
| City about Friday when the legislature was reaoS
| TO adjourn until the following Monday. That gave
the boys" plenty OF time run over to St. Louis
/ or Kansas City and see the sights And those rail-
road passes, with paror car seats thrown in GER
| tainy did help some
But now that is only history. Colonel Phelps
has declared himself in these words:
81 have not issued a solitary pass 10 any one
connected with the legislature. nor do intend to-
| We shall hereafter depend upon Governor Folk to
| protect us from sandbagging legislation.
| Thus 1t is that not only are the lobbyists made
| to suffer, but the legislative "grafters as we'll
And the latter saying things against Governor
| Folk for presuming to deprive them OF what they
consider legitimate perQuisites.
| In former years 1t not uncommon to see
from a score to fifty rural legislators In ST. Louis
every sunday-when passes were freely distributed.
| To-day the rural representatives content them
| selves al Jefferson City playing seven up, pin
ochle and poker in the Madison House, the prin-
cpal hotel at the capital and the rendezvous for
! statesmen and politicians.
| Only one man has thus far had the temerity to
| openly defy the Governor He is Colonel "Cy"
Clarke Colonel Clarke declares in so many words.
1T is of Governor Folks tarnation business.
when I strike town. what I'm thar for or when
| I expect to git out" Colonel 'Cy' is at present
engaged in effort 10 persuade the legislature
! that the present Breeders law, which permits
horseracing in Missouri and betting at the tracks.
is all right and should not De repealed. The bill
is really in danger of being repealed. Several in
huential newspapers in st. Louis. Kansas City and
| the smaller towns advocating its repeal, and
the newspapers are backed by the clergy and many
prominent citizens. Colonel Clarke, who halls from
| Mexico, Mo. represents the racetrack interests
! and he has work enough out for him to last
much longer than the thirty hours allowed by Gov
ernor Folk. Colonel Clarke says he'll stay in JEFF
ferson City till he gets ready to quit. But-Gov
| ernor Folk Is a determined man and fighter, aud
| there are many who believe that Colonel 'Cy' will
be tin canned" along with the rest.
Apropos Of the Breeders law and Its proposed re-
peal at session OF the Committee on Criminal
boEEs eTs bqsGa 0sg % ers5 C bst lynn t f I
was rspesieS ii Would ruin The b1siness Of hoTss
raising and mule raising me word raising
of the audience sravely shook his head and re-
marked; ARK a. II guess IT. was was one OF BraItGns mules
and an adjournment had to be taken tax 'S'' ~
There Is stu da s9o{her lobbyist who while he has
that, beneath clever disguise, he has stayed at
tity having become known
This DTT9fessed lobbyist is none. other than the
the diamonds that rival, at least in briancy. the
tanned Kohinoor. and are only exceeded IN size BY
Africa Colonel slupsky is one Of 81 Iouiss best
Way First one sees what appears to be the Search
light on an approaching locomotive ones eyes
are dazzled by the brancy until one becomes ac-
Ss 'G Is iPS e the eIpoo t
o95e we !he Tss hsr turned & on That
sparkler" in Missouri-there is only one Abe"
Colonel slupsky says he does detective work
No divorce cases in his. ne says He does things
slupsky declares he was in Jefferson City sixteen
days, and what he didn't find out isn't known he
1t wasn't the smooth -shaven Colonel slupsky that
'sparkler'' wasn't screwed TO his shirt bosom and
the big siouch hat he Il wont TO affect was not
worn eareessly on one one side of his great shock Of
own story of his adventures in Missouris capital:
weesr these clothes and this sparkleE. wears "a
hooked over NV boosand wears my ps1ts asd sis Is
my hair like this Colonel Slupsky illustrated by
sending them fyins in all directions i0'A' anu
Nobody ever thinks it's me, Then I don't go
And drink champagne, only Budssiser for me me
m he Len cry 90 GeteGfiye tive work and was up
You've; heard. all about that bull con, Of Gov
thirty hours? Wen. now. If Folk found out I was
siuPsky yo@|e t" got @ thry ia aR gst out
wouldn't I? SAY this thing reminds me- OF Chief
back III send you to the w0rkhouse.' Or maybe