Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-17
BATTLE NOW ON
Between Factions Of Phi|a-
de|phia Politicians.
Governor Folk Of Missouri
Lends a Willing Hand
Delivering a Good Government Speech
to a Crowded House.

to a Crowded House.
Philadelphia, Oct. 1G.-The great bat
| tie between the local Republicans or
ganiZation and the city party, the mu-
nicipal reform organization, recently
formed here, was enlivened, today, by
the visit of Governor Folk Of Missouri,
who came to lend his voice In the in
tereSt of good government. The Mis-
souri, governor, tonight, addressed a
large and enthusiastic audience in the
Academy of Music. He spoke under
the auspices of the City Club, which
claims no connection with the City
party.
The crowd that attempted to gain
entrance to the Academy, tonight, was
so great that the doors were closed be-
fore the meeting began. When Gov
ernor Folk entered the Academy, the
entire audience stood up to welcome
him. Governor Folk spoke in part as
follows:
The most conspicuous fact of NUM-
clpal government i'll the United States,
today, is that they are governed by the
few and not by the people. There is
more aggressive rottcnneSs and less
aggressive patriotism in our large
cities than anywhere else. If the pa
trlotism can be made as aggressive as
the rottenness the problem of good
government would be solved by the
people taking the government into their
own hands. The fight you are making
mere lS hDtt1n which will M f,l+ -,
every town, city and state in the land.
The benefit Of q victory for good gov
eminent will be universal. and the evil
effects Of a defeat will demoralize
those who believe in good government
By the people.
The moral revolution now sweeping
over the land means the patriotism
that comes from the heart not from
the head.
Many men would be willing. If
need be, TO give up their lives for their
city or state. They are needed some
times, and this kind of patriotism
cannot be too highly commended but
the man who is willing to live for his
city and his state every day is the
man that is needed just now. There
may be as much patriotism in giving
ones time to the bettarmcnt of civic
conditions and the election of good
men 10 office and purifying the ballot
as in barring ones breast to the bullets
Of an enemy.
The strength Of the lawless element
is great, but il is as nothing when it
comes in contact with a public con-
science thoroughly aroused The law
abiding people are in the ma jority in
Philadelphia. and there is hardly q
community in this country of which
this canrot be said. They are usually
quiet, however. while the lawless are
50 vociferous as to deceive many as
to their number. They may bluff and
bulldoZe but they are towards and if
resolutely fought they can be over
come. They are always active how
ever, while the average good citizen
becomes active only occasionally.
The moral revolution that is now
sweeping over the land is merely re-
vival of the rule of the people. Four
years ago the laws against bribery in
all Of the states We're considered as
practically dead letters. When the
prosecutions We're commenced in St
Louis members Of the house of dele
gates claimed that this bribery had
been going on so long they were en-
titled to notice to quit before being
prosecuted. Here was n crime worse
than any other for their offence vio-
lated the law while bribery strikes at
the foundation of all laws. Yet the
law denOuncing it was not enforced,
bribery became the usual and expect
ed thing all over the land; corrupt
men Toasted and fattened at public
expense, laws became merchandise on
the market and all this time the pub
lie conscience was asleep. When the
revelation came the people saw how
they had been plundercd. they saw the
offence in all if its onormity, and from
one end of the land to the other there
was a civic awakening.
A political party has no right to ask
for support because it is that party,
but because it stands for the right. If
q political party cannot get votes on
the ground of patriotism it has no
right to ask for votes on the ground
of partisanship. Under our form of
government political parties are neces-
sary for it is through them the people
can come to agreements on public
questions and announce their principles
and Intentions but political parties
should be the servants of the people
not their masters.
When those on the inside Of any
great financial concern divert the
trust funds for their profits, that is a
graft against the law; when a class of
men have special privileges whereby
thew can preV uDOn the rest of the peO-