The copper era., 1911-11-24

is6ed as to pronounce himself undesi -f rous of further improvement is likely to be most in need of advancement. And cities are often 'satisfei' when in the control of a corrupt and mer- ciless gang
 The future of our government rests upon the integrity of the citizen, and upon his activity in public affairs. Good government must begin at home, in cities and towns and pro- Ceed from there to state and nation Any measure that aids the average citizen in making his wishes known is conducive to better government.
 The primary system is not perfect, but imperfect as it is, it is far pref serable to the convention system, un- der which the bosses are usually su- preme. The bosses will still have too much influence under the primary plan, but not as much as under the convention idea.
 We are still gropfng around in the dark. We are still experimenting with government; after while some thing better than the primary sys- tenn may be found. Until that time comes, favor the primary system as step-but only a step-in the right direction. A number of the states now have the primary system, and not one of those that has it would give it up.
 The remedy tor existing evils is not less government by the people, but more government by the people. The initiative and referendum are meas power to run their government. These measures are neither revolu- tionary nor dangerous. We have the referendum and initiative now in the Constitution of Missouri, and the most conservative can find no objec- tion to them except such criticism as is devoted toward any government by the people. I regard these meas ures as very important in the cure of corruption. What would be the profit of bribing a legislature Of Mis- souri today to pass bad bill, for the people have the power, through the referendum, to veto any measure the legislature may pass? What would
 be the use of corrupting the legisla- ture to fail to pass a good bill, for the people, by the initiative, have the power of enacting any measure they desire over the head of the leg islature? These measures reduce corruption lessening the initiative. The legislature under them cannot sell c.ean title.
 I do not expect the referendum to be called for or the initiative asked for except at rare intervals on inn portant measures. The mere knowl- edge, however, that the people have the power in reserve has a tendency to keep things straight. Like the power of impeachment which is sell dom exercised its existence has ten dency to prevent the abuses requir- ing it's use.
 At the conclusion of the lecture at the Armory Governor Folk was hur- ried up town to Prettyman's opera house where a large crowd had pre- viously asse m bled. Within a few minutes after the governors arrival a large mum Der who had attended the lecture came into the hall and at ten o'clock Plettyman's opera house was filled, with every seat taken.
 Governor Folk was introduced by Hon. Lamar Cobb who in a short speech paid well deserved tribute to Governor Folk as type of pro- gressive statesman in this country reciting his administration in brief as governor of Missouri.
 Governor Folk was accorded an ovation when he arose to speak And for more than an hour he impressed upon his hearers the fundamental principles of the democratic party It was a speech that might be termed ian old fashioned democratic speech'' wherein the republican party was held responsible for the growth of trusts and monopolies in this country and also responsible for the enact ment of laws which gave to special | privilege advantages over the great | mass of the people in this country. Governor Folk is democrat who be- | lieves in the rule of the people as to class privileges and stands | firm for the democratic principle of | equal rights to all The governor | called attention to the vast fortunes | which had been amassed in this country on the one hand and the ab- | ject poverty on the other, telling the | story of something wrong under our own government which had made | such an unfair condition possible. | The governor said he was proud to | live in this country "where honest | hlOOd is royal h1OOd and honesty is l