The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-09
FOLK COESIN.
INDUCES in Plain Talk to
Missouri Legislators.
Best Public Service lis Best
Party Service, He Says.
A TRAFFIC IN HONOR.
Does Not Necessarily Mean Sale
OF Vote for Money.
8 Professional Lobbying Should
Be Made a Crime.'' -

Jefferson City, Mo, Jan. EVERY
train arriving today added to the al
ready large crowds of people who had
assembled from various parts to at
| the inaugural OF Joseph w. Folk as
governor of Missouri. Previous to the
inaugural ceremonies Mr.. and Mrs.
Folk were guests of honor at break
fast given at the gubernatorial man
sion by outgoing Governor Dockery.
Mr. and Mrs. William Jennings Bryan
and thirty other guests. among them
prominent Democrats and their wives,
were present
Promptly at noon Joseph w. Folk
was inaugurated governor of Missouri.
The ceremonies took place in the
house OF representatives which had
been appropriately decorated. Gov
ernor Folk in his inaugural address
said in part:
"Partisanship is a good thing some
times, but patriotism is a better thing
all the time. Partisanship is we'll
enough when it does not conflict with
patriotism; but patriotism is a higher
virtue than partisanShip. Some of
you are Democrats. some are Repub-
licans, all are Missourians In the
| discharge Of official duties let US be
| MiSourians before we are ANYTHING
else. Do not forget that you viii be
| aiding the party you may belong to
most by 81 ng the public the highest
service. 4S1 can not help your party
/ by injuring the public. One may be
in private life a Democrat or Repub-
lican but when he steps into public Of
nee ne becomes public servant-a
servant of all ii people.
When you come before the people
to give an account of your stewardship
! the acc dr+ must be for public service
and not party work. Your party
nominated you, the people elected you
and sent you here to serve the public.
and by that service you will reflect
credit or discredit on your party. You
are here as legislators, not as polite
lans and the welfare of the state
should ever be your first consideration.
If the public veal should conflict with
party advantage or personal ambition,
the public good should prevail. If there
be any corruption during this session
of the general assembly it would be a
disgrace to the state and a reelection
on every man in this body and upon ev-
cry official in the state government. The
legislator who sells his vote rraffics
in the honor of a sovereign and prosti-
tutes the trust repoSed in him. 1t is not
always by taking money that an Off
cial may prostitute his trust. He does
it whenever he uses the power given
him to be exercised for the public good
for any other purpose. An official can
embezzle public power as well as public
money. One in public office has no
more right to use his official powers for
personal ends than he would have to
put his hands into the public treasury
to pay a private debt.
I'm order to aid in the investigation
of rumOrs of corruption, laws should
be enacted compelling witnesses to tes-
tify as to their knowledge of bribery
transactions and exempting such wit
nesses from prosecution for any mat
terS directly or indirectly gro wing cut
of such testimony.
when a legislator accepts pass he
puts it in the knowledge of the rep
lresentatiVe of the railroad that he has
xyfn "a q Is fn in
dictment This knowledge can be
used by the railroad representative to
club the legislator into submission to
corporate interests.
professional lobbying should be
made crime.
ST believe it is the province of the
governor of the state to keep the pub
lie peace by settling disputes between
employers and employees. and he
should make it his business as far as
possible to do so, If the contest in
wolves the public interests in any way"
The governor spoke of the necessity
for good roads, and said the state
should not license gambling in any
form, whether it be a lottery or pool
selling on horse races.
"And the pernicious effect on pub
lie morals is not Iessened by requiring
a fence to be put around the place
where the racing is carried on. There
is no magic in a license to change
moral wrong into innocence"
At the conclusion of Governor
Folks address, the oath of Office was
administered to Lieutenant Governor
Mckinley.
William J. Bryan, who came with his
wife today to attend the inaugura-
ton of Governor Folk addressed-the
legislature on invitation of the Repub
lican house. The speaker who was
heartily received congratulated the peo-
pie on the election of Mr.. Folk, because
he said, it was the reward for duty well
performed Corporation influences, the
speaker said, often controlled officials
and to stop this he favored municipal
ownership of public institutions. He ad-
vocated the establishment Of state fire
and state life insurance departments to
furnish insurance to the people at cost.
sI do not think our banks are safe,
said Mr.. Bryan. ''They are so arranged
that they make money in good times
and throw the risk on the depositor in
to the affair of Mrs. Chadwick.
Mr.. Bryan commended President
Roosevelt for recommending legislature !
to have campaign contributions print !
ed. He also commended the president |
for his recommendation of legislation |
enlarging the powers of the interstate |
commerce commission.
Railroads control much legislation
said Mr.. Bryan, "and if President |
roosevelt is in earnest about curbing |
their power, he will lead a strenuous
life during the next four years"
Weather Indications.
Chicago, Jan. 9.-Forecast for Kan |
sas: Partly cloudy tonight and Tues /
dav with probably snow in west pOr-