The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-04-29

~ Gov. Folk, the great little
.staEssnan from Missouri, addressed
large crowd Of the best citizens of
IT. city at the Opera house Sstur-
~ night, when he spoke for nearly
jtWO hours on "The Era of Con-
science" .. @
The governor was introduced BY
~ Governor Devine, who paid him
~ hishsst kind Of tribute, linking
III name with those of Gov. Hughes,
loe New York, Gov. Johnson Of Min
8lessta, Gov. LaEollette Of Wiscon-
3sin, Wn. ]. Bryan and others.
~ the bright eyed little man with
stAs mild voice, but = senacity of pur-
spese, stepped to tho front, he was
.gres&sd j. s1sat applause He paid
= high tribute to Minot, "The coming
saStropolis," he termed 1t, and said
w had q lot OF aggressive citizens
there. He was pleased to meet SO
many former Missourians, not in the
tact that they were fugitives from
their native st4te, for he said that
they would be more than welcome to
return at any time.
He then plunged into his subject
which he has studied in a practical
way for years. He told Of the graft
that lad been practiced in the state
legislature of Missouri; how the leg
islaters has accepted thousands OF
dollars for their votes, and then
epenly boasted of the fact. The leg
islaters had accepted Thousands OF
held meetings to consider the amount
. Of graft rnsney that they would ac-
cent for certain propositions, and
their prices ranged all theasWay from
!, $6ee to $75,eo0. There was always
some on, of their number who had
to be paid money and he would divide
the spoils. Il was not so hard to
prove that bribery existed, as it was
to make the jnries think that It was
all risht to drag men with honorable
families into court. These grafters
,aaaA ~. honest men. He told little
story Of how 4 negro porter on q
train stole pocket book containing
$500 of money which one of these
xrafters was carrying to another.
The porter was accused, frightened,
and rave up the money. LET me
give you little piece Of advice" the
CRATER said. Hereafter, remember
that honesty is always the best pol
ICY" #.
The people have finally awakened
to the fact that it is wrong to take
money for giving their votes. the vote
that belongs to the public.
Mr.. Folk referred to the corrupt
condition of the city of st. Louis q
few years ago, seven aldermen out
Of thirteen being found guilty OF ae-
.cepting large sums for the puolic
service franchises
mo one ever heard Of graft mon
ey being paid for any law that Is OF
benefit to the pubic. Such money
ts always paid for law that will
benefit the few" IL one Of the terse
statements that he made.
"A dozen right thinking men, who
are aggressive, and who do not fear
the consequences, can yield a great
influence for good in any city, if they
take concerted action, and practically
graft in every form can be stamped
out" is another of his characteristic
statements.
At q banquet in the city of st..
Louis, eight prominent public men OF
that city attended, ana a. the band
played "The Star spangled Banner,
there was q great demonstration. One
Of tho men declared that he loved his
country, and II need be. would die
for It. Three days later. that same
man was arrested on the charge OF
bribery, and convicted. Gov. Folk
says, II think Just now that it Is
more important that We have men
Who viii i've for oae's country. rath-
or than die for It. Willie I have all
due respect 1os tAs men Who have
fought On ~ nsaA Of battle. Tor this
nation, the n0 Who will come out
in the open md oppose graft 10 I'll
Of III forms, y Anins Just - noble an
act"
II M Passes.
w were nurU thar GLAD to hear
the eovsrnoe's vlsws on the free pass
qussdoo. ~ ~ could not 80 how
tAsy could ~ ssehsr tim they were.
M accepted =, = fns one conr.'-
-, . stAis ~ esnsd day sad go.
tl.a = DA ast ~ . ! Z {! &! ! :!
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