The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-24
SAYS State Governments
Should Correct Evi S

Il believe that the legislation OF
the next few years will be done large
| ly by the states" said ex-Gov. Joseph
w. Folk, who Is In the city and who
will lecture in the Simpson NJ. r..
church, Tuesday evening on An era
| OF conscience" The fearless states
man. known throughout the land as
the man who drove the boodlers out
OF Missouri, Is a staunch advocate OF
states rights and believes that the
correction of the evils that now beset
the country will be best accomplished
by the states individually.
When an evil is to be corrected
there has been too much OF a DISPOSE
ton to look 10 the general govern
ment 10 remedy it," he continued.
This has arisen TO some extent, at
least, because OF the inertness of the
states. | believe that the perpetuity
of our republic depends upon the
| dual idea of government provided by
our forefathers, and tnat the rights OF
the states to self-government can best
be maintained by their exercising
their self-goyernment in the enact
ment OF good laws. and in causing
those laws TO be obeyed and respect
ed.
The states that suffer their laws
to go unenforced, that permit abuses
of wealth and lawlessness of special
| interests to go uncorrected, that al.
low their sovereignty to be spread
out and dissipated among many sub
divisions until il becomes SO weak as
to mean but little, are doing much 10
aid the plan of those who argue for
a more centralized government at the
nations capitol Recent occurrences in
Missouri and Texas have taught that
a state has full power to do the
| things that should be done and that a
state can enforce laws against those
of great riches and influence.
In teaching this lesson a new force
has been breathed into the doctrine
of states rights, that does not mean
so much the right to prevent the fed
eral government from doing things
as the right of the states TO do things
themselves"
What is your opinion of the initia-
tive and referendum was asked.
II believe in them thoroughly" was
the answer. They are a benefit TO
any state. They would be good for
the people of Michigan and ought
initiative and referendum in Missouri
now and both are working out salts
factorily. | do not think it would be
wise to employ this plan in the pass
age OF all laws: that would be too
cumbersome. but | believe the refer.
endum will eventually do away with
all corruption in legislatures where.
ever adopted. 1t is an effective check
against boodling and grating, for
ii takes away the incentive.
Asked for his views on municipal
ownership. Mr.. Folk gave it as his
opinion that while the principle itself
is sound its application depends Who'll.
ly on the conditions existing In the
various cities. What might be an un-
qualified success in one community
might prove a failure elsewhere. be
said. Mr. Folk asked number OF
questions about local conditions and
appeared to be genuinely grateful for
the information ELECTED in reply.
You see. |, too. am looking for
information" he explained. II want
TO know what they do here in Michi-
gan. for instance, and how they DO
It, 1t is all very interesting TO me-"
Though he Is now an "eX'' and fail
ed To land Il United States senator
ship he went after some time ago, Mr..
Folk intimated very plainly that he
would yet be heard from. provided the
people desire his services. His re-
tirement from the game is only tenn
porary IL would seem
In this connection a dinner TO be
given in honor of Mr.. Folk in St.
Louis next Friday evening, which fact
was casually mentioned by the ex.
governor In the course OF his talk,
probably has some Significance.
Between 600 and 100 are expected
to attend. said he, and on that oc-
casion perhaps some intimation may
be given as to future plans"
Whether these plans have ought to
do with the election of "A new United
States senator two years hence. MIR.
Folk did not make clear. When ask
ed directly IL he would be a candidate
for the Office he would not commit
himself
! Folk indorses the Oregon plan for
the election of United States sena-
tors. There the people nominate and
the legislature elects.
Mr.. Folk arrived, in town at 1905
over the Michigan Central and was
met at the station by committee
consisting OF j. l.. Hudson, Joseph
Boyer. r. F. Ingram. c. b. Sawyer.
George +. Moody and w. ID. South.
wick II had been planned 10 take
him on tour of Belle Isle and about
the city as the first order OF enter
tainment. but because OF the weather
the trip was abandoned.
"A public reception In the visitors
honor was held in the Y. NJ. e. a.
from ESQ TO l 30 Tuesday afternoon.
after which luncheon was served by
the directors OF the association Gov.
Folk will be escorted To- Simpson
church. Tuesday evening, by com
mittee made up OF the leading mem.
beers OF the congregation.
The average cost OF locomotives ia
So cents per pound.