Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-04-09

lis way Many of those he was prose.
cutting were members Of the machine
that had nominated and elected him.
and he was naturally accused of in
gratitude He had against him some
of the most skillful lawyers in the
city, with adverse judges on the bench.
Technicalities. motions for delay and
all the other subterfuges known to the
corporation attorney were introduced
DO block him. His life was even threat
ened 1t required courage, study and
constant alertness to meet all this oppo-
sition. 1t was he test of fire that
proved the stuff in the Folk makeup.
Here was a country attorney, little
more than boy in years, fighting mil
lions of money and the all powerful
political machine of his own party.
Until recently unknown, he was sud-
denly thrust into one of the most con-
spicuous and trying positions in the
country. 1t goes without saying that
he could have got almost any sized
bride for himself by dropping the
prosecution. But he was to be moved
neither by fear nor cupidity. The
coarse workers Of machine politics
found that there was more in this
quiet young man than was apparent
on the surface. He was new type,
one that could be neither bullied nor
bribed one not to be discouraged by
opposition or tempted by Office.
One of Governor Folks most marked
characteristics is that he is deeply re-
| ligious. He is ever ready with quo
tation from the four gospels, and his
appeal is to the higher and better in
| the hearts of his hearers. He is clean
in his life without Observation-Disclosures
for others. He is moved by inward
religious impulse without priggishness
So equipped with inner light and
outer knowledge, young Folk was more
than a match for all the talent that
the corruptionists could hire. AS he
won in his case against the boodlers
SO he won in his candidacy for govern
/ or. The corrupt machines Of st. Louis
and Kansas City counted the ballots
against him, but the sterling Mis-
souri, farmers rallied to his support
overturned the bosses and triumphant
ly gave him the nomination. 1t wa!
no brass band victory, but one of shu
lips and determined hearts. In thu
succeeding election Folk was the only
successful candidate on his ticket
Owing to the fearful exposures Mis-
souri, went Republican for the frs
time in her history. She could no
stand the Ryan-Belmont reactionar.
Democracy that was temporarily il
the saddle and gave her electoral vot
to Theodore Roosevelt. But at tn
same time she awarded signal mora
and political victory to ]. w. Folk.
Not Yet Forty.
While not classed as an orator, Gov
ernor Folk has great power with
jury or an audience because Of hi
sincerity, his ability in finding tn
weak point of his adversary and Q
going to the heart of a question an
his winning appeal to the hearts an
souls of his listeners. He is clean Gu
courageous and always In earnes
Whether he is ever president or nc
he is distinct force for civic righ'
eousness in this day that needs it S
much. Governor Folk is not yet fort
years old. He is to be reckoned wit
In the future. he is quite as fearles
in telling of trust graft as in exposin
political graft Through the comm
battle Of this people against the con
binations of crooks Folk will be in hi
element.
In this day of busy divorce court
and affinity dementia it is refreshin
to find SO many of our public men wit
clean and wholesome home lives. Thu
of Governor Folk is especially con
mendable. He. and Mrs. Folk, WI
} was Miss Gertrude Glass, were chilli
| hood playmates. She is quite as mo-
est and retiring as he, but takes
, keen interest in political affairs an
, counsels with him on every importal
move.
Quick Witted.
Despite the fact that he is a vel
! earnest individual, Governor Folk h,
q quick wit and keen appreciation
, humor. He tells good story and e
joys one at his own expense. Here
one he used to tell that still may
new to most readers:
, A colored man was hailed into cou
for some trivial offense. When b
, case was reached the clerk frightent
, the prisoner almost into spasms I
: reading in a loud voice, "The state
3 Missouri against John Jones'.
. Guilty or not guiltyY said Il
! Judge.
: Poor John Jones arose, with trer
{ bling limbs and bullying eyes.
: well, yo' honah," he gasped, "ef (
;, whole state O Missorah is agin d
E one pore niggah rs gwine to give ,
D right now"
3 Folk is almost as much Of a Cha
: tauqua favorite as his friend Brya
8 as the following story shows:
: A bootblack of an Illinois Chauta
] qua assembly was asked:
: "Who was the greatest lecturer {
:. the programme this year,"
: Governor Folk" was the reply.
: "Why do you think Governor Flo
3 the greatest lecturer?''
{ "Why, sir, made 1925 the day