The copper era., 1911-11-24
GOVERNOR FOLK
 DEL|VERSLECTURE.
An Appreciative Audience Hears His Famous Lecture" The
 Era of Public Conscience
GOV. MEETS WITH DEMOCRATS
Is Guest of Honor at Democratic Meeting at Conclusion of
 His Lecture

HIS
 Ex-Governor Jos. w. Folk of Mis- souri made his first appearance in Clifton on Monday evening last. The governor came to Clifton under the auspices of the Clifton High school and at the Armory on Monday even ing delivered his famous lecture, ''The Era of Public Conscience" to a highly appreciative audience. Late in the evening the governor was the guest of honor at Prettyman's opera house where the Clifton Democratic club had arranged democratic rally.
 Governor Folk made two speeches during the evening and sa large num- Der took advantage of the occasion to hear the distinguished speaker at both meetings.
 Governor Folks lecture was pro- nounced by those who have been so fortunate as to hear public lecturers throughout the country including w. J. Bryan, to be the equal of any pub lie lecture given in this country. The governor heldC his audience without
 
 course of his lecture. Those who at tended expecting to hear a dry and uninteresting lecture were dissa- pointed. The governor dweIt with the live issues of the day which had been brought to light by the awaken ing of pubic conscience. For the benefit of those who were unable to hear this splendid lecture the Era produces the following extracts:
 There has been great awakening or She subi~ct of isdigidCs4 respcnsi- bility for the affairs ot city, state and nation within the last few years. The public conscience has been aroused against evils, and things are not tolerated now that a few years ago were submitted to in silence. The people have come to realiza- tion of the fact that the government belongs to them, and they can take it into their own hands whenever they wish to do so, and can make it just as good as they want it or just as bad as they permit it to become. They have also learned that if the government neglects the people, it is because the people first neglect the government, and that if corruption exists anywhere the people alone are to blame. If corruption is to be erad- icated the peo pie alone can do it. There are more good people than bad people, kut the good people are usually inactive, while the bad are generally aggressive. The problem of good government here and every where is to make the patriotism of the people as active as the rotten ness is.
 In the battle against graft some fights must be lost; with each fight lost we should not lose courage, but battle all the harder. With each fight won we should not become apa- rhetic, and think all has been won. If between public rights and graft, there would be no doubt as to :he out come anywhere, for the majority of he people here and everywhere will To right when they know right. The -epresenta tives of graft and privi- ege are too shrewd, however, to per nit plain issue Of that kind to go before the people. They adroitly to complicatc the main issue with other questions so as to be wider nd confuse men of the best inten- ions. In this way they divide the orces in opposition. If those who tand for the public welfare could be nited, and stay united as the repre- of graft and privilege are lways united, then the forces of er- or here and everywhere could be asily vanquished.
 Those who object to progress do not sually put their protest upon tho rue ground, but they seek some ther preteXt. They ask why is not his or that done. Ii one examines he source of a complaint like this, e will usually find that it is not be- ause of desire that reform be made lore thorough, but to discredit what being done. If one sincerely de- res progress in the way of better nings, instead of criticism he will i've his help in the accomplishment the things wished for. Reform all
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