The Washington herald., 1910-09-19
BY WILLIS j. ABBOT.

| Special TO The Washington Herald.
ST. Louis, Sept. lS.-Missouri enjoys
| the rather unusual distinction this year
OF possessing three Presidential possibili-
ties within the Democratic ranks OF
these, one only is an avowed candidate
former Gov. Joseph w. Folk. There is
little use In attempting to tell the people
of the United States at this time any
thing about Gov. Folk. Nobody has been
more written about In the magazines
| than he; none has been more widely eulo-
gized, For the last year he has been
travelling about the country lecturing
al state fairs and chautauqua assoeia-
! tons. and has made his face and his
opinions familiar TO hundreds OF thou
sands or people. Folk stands as the
very incarnation OF the anti-graft senti-
ment In politics. In fact. some months
ago there was established in Washington
central bureau of the National Anti
graft Association. which was said 10 have
been created especially In his interest
It. however. has dsappeard. Meanwhile
he has been hts own very effective pub
licity agent through his wide travel and
active speaking.
Tariff the Great Issue.
Talking with Gov Folk yesterday. 1
learned that In his opinion there has
ceased to be any line OF cleavage be-
tween the two parties, except upon the
tariff. The insurgent Republicans. he
holds, are absolutely in accord with the
Democratic party on all points save this.
Accordingly. he believes that above all
things the Democrats should take
strong stand on the tariff and declare di-
rectly for tariff for revenue only.
have seen a copy of a platform he
drew up for use IN Missouri-practically
that which was adopted by the State
convention which indorsed him for the
Presidency. II is like most platforms.
very much too long. covering almost
everything under the sun. The only point
IN which ii is novel as contrasted with
the ordinary platform Of a St@'e or ma
tional convention Is that it contains no
weasel words" II is direct in it's state
ments. unmistakable IN its language The
tariff II denounces as a tariff for monop-
oily only, not tariff for protection. II
charges upon the tariff the high cost OF
living and the depression in industry. and
il demands that the Democratic party re-
stored to power shall do away with any
idea of protection and recognize that the
tariff is really created in order 10 foster
and buttress monopoly and special priv
ilege. Along this line Gov Folk hopes 10
make his Presidential campaign.
While Gov. Folk will go 10 the national
convention with the delegation from this |
State behind him. ii may he kept in /
mind that there are two other distin- /
guished Missourians who are keeping a
watchful eye on the Presidential situa- /
ton
Francis n HarmOniEer.
The Hon David R. Francis is not |
talking Presidential politics He IS a 4
candidate for United States Senator, and /
IS in mighty good way of getting there. /
It is no part of good policy for him TO 1
let IT be thought by direct word or hint /
from him that he would in any case. IN /
terfere with the ambition OF Gov. Folk /
There are 90 many Folk men chosen for |
the legislature for 1t 10 be wise for 1
any Senatorial candidate TO set himself /
up in opposition 10 that force In fact, /
Gov. Francis rather presents himself /
as a great harmontzer In the party IN |
former days in Missouri there was a GER
tain antagonism 10 him based on the /
charge that he was a grain Spectator. /
So far as I can discern. this has entirely /
There IS, however, some !
to him because Of his appear
ance in the Cleveland Ca met in the dark
days OF 1896, when he was substituted /
for Hoke Smith. who had refused 10 an
tagonize Mr.. Bryan. There IS. perhaps.
a slight quibble in the way In which Gov.
Francis meets this charge but | viii
quote his own language in the matter;
II have always contributed literally 10
Democratic campaign funds, and never
voted the Republican ticket In my life,
Although. until within the last six
months. I was out Of politics and never
expected TO again hold public office.
have during the past twenty years,
Travelled thousands of miles and spent
thousands OF dollars of my own money
for the purpose of boosting Missouri
among her sister States, and have taken
every opportunity that my time and du-
ties would permit 10 proclaim the re-
sources and advantages of our STATE at
home and abroad"
Clark Also Receptive.
There is. in my judgment, possibility
that IN the national convention. should
there be any chance OF a nomination
|