The Washington times., 1908-10-15

ST. JOSEPH, No, oct. 15.-That
melancholy statesman. lean and sparse
from brOoding over the wrongs Of the
people, the Hon. ''Gumshoe Bill"
Stone, of Missouri, is looking on, fas-
oinated, filled with feelings indescrib-
able. The foe Of "GumshOe Bill' IS no
less a champion of the public rights
than Gov. Joseph w. Folk. now
near the close Of a four-year term as
chief executive of the State. The cause
Of controversy IS the United States
Senatorship. beginning March 4, 1909,
and succeeding the, term which Senator
stone IS now serving.
Folks down this way with no axes
10 grind and not inclined either 10
Stone or to the governor, say that
"Gumshoe Bill" is beaten man. It is
certain that If this champion Of the
public veal is not actually knocked
out, he is at least getting perilOusly
near 10 grOgStness- Governor Folk
has been landing some hard raps on his
opponents political solar plexus, and
unless there is q shift in things Senator
Stone will be practically down and out
before the primary election the Sd OF
November
Time was when the redoubtabIe
'Gumshoe Biz trailed through Mis-
souri, as II he wore moccasins, smooth
y. silently, secretly. But that time is
past Nov he is chased so hard by
the ineXC Sable Folk that he claIters
along Ike a wooden-shod citizen of
Holland just over from Amsterdam.
Missouri Indulgence.
It is a sad thing that the laborer in
the vineyard Of craftsmanship should
find that n5uhing is in store for him
for his pains except to get kicked out.
but ii some times happens. It is not
efvaa ssfrrrrrr-g41,
standing in his place in the Senate de
claiming against the malefactors Of
great wealth who were trying TO riveU
the AldriCh currency bill on the limbs
Of the nation. In spite Of all he could
90, however, the malefactOrS accom-
plished their purpose One would think
that now, when II came time 10 decide
the question Of OustinE "GUmShOe BilI'
from office the State of Missouri would
arise as. one man and say nay. But
II Is not So On the contrary Missouri
IS Just now extremely busy making
money out Of hogs and cattle and corn
and large number Of expanding in
dustries. II seems as If there is a
strange dearth of sympathy for the
patriot who gives his voice and his
time TO his country.
The contest between Senator Stone
and Governor Folk is becoming one Of
much bitterness. 1t shows symptoms OF
getting more and more bitter rs the
50 happens that the primary expression
on the SeuatOTshIp will be taken by
both parties on election day As be
tween stone and Folk who are the 0uIv
Democratic candidates for the Senate,
things are rapidly beginning to warm
up.
This is not to be a lady-Iize cam
paiEu." was the assertion made by Gov
frnor Folk, when he made his opening
speech against stone. It Is quite gen
orally agreed that this prediction was
correct. For several weeks, il went
along mildly and then the governor be-
gan to strike out. He seems 10 have
fealized that unless he did. and If he
permitted "GUmshOe Bill 10 make a
stiA hunt for the office, the Senator
would get the best of IT,
Folk Makes Attack.
Folk tried to tangle Stone Up in
Joint debate. but did not succeed
in a recent speech Folk thanked God
that Stone had the support Of all the
saloonkeepers and gamblers. He at
tackled Stone as an egg-sucker and
shell-hidiuS person, and scored him for
serving in the Senate SlN years and
having no more 10 his credit than the
Introduction uf bill to relieve Sub
treasurer T. J. Atkins, OF ST. Louis, from
2 $4,000 shortage I'm his Office.
In the face Jf this sort of fire from
Folk. it is expected Senator Stone viii
return Ike for Ike and strike at all
the weak points ol his antagonist. It
appears thar when Stone first went
into the campaign he and some Of his
friends Thought II would not be diff
cult 10 defeat the governor Some of
Stones supporters warned him that be
had the fight af his life on his hands,
but until recently le has not seemed
fully 10 appreciate this fact
Folk is pointing % his own record of
things done ass governor in his fOur-year
term ana at the same time is bitterly
assal-i~g Stone. Among the pieces of
legislation for which Folk takes credit
= himself are a general primary law,
mcuCi-g direct vote on Senator's an
antl-uas- law 2-ceut fare law, and a
law against lobbying at Jefferson City,
which requires ali persons going to the
State capital for the purpose Of trying to
influence legislation or the course Of
ahe State government TO register and
make known their business.
Folk has also brought about strict en-
fOrCeueut of The EQr-Or laws, especially
as to Sunday closing III The large cities,
St. Louis, -. Joseph, and Kansas City.
He has driven raCe-traCk gambling out
of the state. much to the disgust of the
liberal element in ST. louis and Kansas
CITY, where raCe-tTacsc gambling -four
ished. lie has also brought about leg
isIatiCn for public utility commissions
Tor St Joseph, St. Louis and Kansas
City.
Liquor Interest Aligned.
Naturally, Folks record as ~ the en-
forcenent Of the liquor laws, and as to
,a ca-fragT- srarr,bIfDr- mas stirred I'M