The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1905-01-14
GOVERNOR FOLKS ADDRESS

laugural address. The tone and IA
pirit Of II is that Of a man who L
leans TO do his fun duty 70 the bes b.
{ his knowledge and ability. In
ONE respects Governor Folk Is cir n
'umStanced most iayora0ly and 10 II
'ume respects u%uiayorably The pub b
lie mind Of the state is more alert ,
than 1t has been for many years auu ,
more intent upon certain desirable .
legislation and reforms. He can
count upon the support o. public
opinion In any good work he NAV
undertake to a greater degree than
any governor has er ipyed 10 twenty
years This aroused state Of oublic
mind will enable him to pursue
courses which would have branded
any other governor In recent years as
demagogue. The failure OF the Han
maximum freight rate bill a few
years ago caused hardly a ripple OF
comment. The failure Of such a bill
AZ this session Of the legislature
would be occasion Of a scandal. There
Is today a degree OF interest in state
analrs that can be and should be
directed to useful ends. Such ia
Governor Folks opportunity.
On the other hand, Governor Folk
Is surrounded by some unusual EN-.
earrassments. The members Of bis
Ouicial family belong to an alien and
hostile political faith. While tbsy
are for the most part men Of ability.
personal worth and patriotism II car
hardly be doubted that they would
g. cretly rejoice at bis failures. Ant
then too much Is expected Of Governo,
Folk by many who look for him :,
inaugurate a political millennium
WaitecottOh as minority leader q,
the floor OF the house and Con RoacI
as clerk Of the Senate are hardly I
oe taken as morning stars Of tba
leiad day. Governor Folk is a youn
man, aud he viii miss the counsel Z
sumo Of the oldest. wiSest and mos
prudent Of advisers. Problems ,er
different from those OF the cour
room will raise to torment him.
Many of Governor Folks inaupur,
suggestions will meet with penera
appreciation at once, such as In
propos-l to enlarge the reformation
work Of our penal system; to amen.
the statute of Limitation in brtber
cases; to give greater emphasis +
tne Importance Of the question q
public highways by creating a stat
bureau devoted to tile subject; I
ueviSe some plan OF compulsor
suffrage upon pain Of losing tn
Suffrage; TO put the excise commit,
Slonef'S office on a salary oasis; I
provide Tor damages for the negligen
killing OF unmarried adults; and Tn
revision OF the statutes. There yer
some suggestions about which her
may be difference Of ipteujoen
opinion. The recommendation or
state primary law is in accordance,
WIN C"e platform declaration, though
u appears to many that the sinu,
Vaneousness of action by all IN,
counties is the only part of the plar
Chat has any merit to it. His sny.
A1 1hk'
gestlon to render null and void every
franchise or privilege secured BIZ
bribery, interpreted In the LIGHT y,
nls stolen horse Illustration, Is m
aSsailaole as a moral proposition bnt
extremely difficult Of practical appli.
cation. The enterprise contaminated
n any franchise grant could never ha
financed until it could be established
mat 1t was not born of bribery.
"nicn could never be done. Besides
me argument by which Governor
ok arrives at his home rule con.
''ctlon would reverse him IL applied
0 this proposition or to the promo
ition to elect United States senators
y a direct vote of the people.
But while individuals NAV d,Po,
pom particular recommendations =,
Governor Folks address, no n can
Bill to note that upon practically
very subject, except those upor
mich all honest men are agreed no
Expresses himself with far moro
lution and qualification than in HE
arly campaign speeches. Thar 80
E no doubt that Governor Folk will
lrefuily study radical measures be.
he gives his sanction to them
ID that he will have the courage to
wise cPnda ~ontntor.