South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-08-18
LET THE PEOPLE
RULE AND CRAFT
FLEES, SAYS FOLK

place the machinery of the gov
eminent as close to the people as pos
sible and To that extent graft and cor
ruption will be abolished said ex-
Gov. Joseph w. Folk of Missouri, in
his lecture at the Chautauqua Sun
day afternoon when he talked on the
subject, a Eight for a State"
During the past decade and half
peoples COnscienCes have gradually
awakened TO a keener sense of right
and wrong. Years ago the voter took
the matter of selling his vote on cleo
day indifferently, while now only the
corrupt politician will purchase the
vote and the transaction is made be-
hind closed doors. AS a result we find
the nation gradually stepping away
from corruption"
He began his lecture by saying that
many people might not agree with
him on some of the subjects which he
was about to discuss. He said that 1t
was mans privilege to think as he
wished. Continuing with an illustra-
ton. he said that out of four state
mentS there probably would be people
in the audience who would believe
and agree with him on at least one
or two. while but few would agree
with him on all. The four statements
were. that he was first an American
citizen, second Missourian, third a
Baptist and last a democrat
Points to Bryan.
He pointed to Bryan. saying that he
was a great leader who was largely
instrumental in bringing about an
awakening of the nation. Roosevelt
was also referred to as a leader along
similar lines.
True American patriotism should
or in ~ Of oft
he continued. In referring to an in
stance which occurred in his state.
the governor said, 4 once heard a
prominent legislator say in a banquet
toast that he wished he might die for
his country. 1t happened that a short
time later the same man had been
brought before a court in Missouri.
where he was proven guilty of ac-
cepting money for voting for a Ger
tain franchise The man had cried
loudly that he wished he might die
for his country. but he was not even
willing To live for II.
1T is as important for the private
individual TO perform his patriotic
duties at the polls and i'm other places
as 10 is for the legislator TO perform
his, at the state capitol The man
who accepts a dollar for his vote is
guilty OF high treason And the man
who buys il is as bad as the CRATER
who accepts money in the legislature
for his vote or influence.
Graft j. Organized.
Graft is organized. while righteous
ness and honesty are not. II is there
fore much easier % serve graft than
20 serve the people. The politician
has every advantage, while the peO-
pie. without an organization. are UNI
able 10 get what they wish. We
are at the door of democracy and
people have awakened 90 understand
what true honesty stands for
Gov Sulzer. who was impeached
last week. is reprehensible and
his Impeachment grew out Of his
break with the Tammany leaders. If
he had remained with the Tammanv
crowd he would have been ten times
worse than ne was. II would be bet
ter for the United States if the entire
Tammany crowd were wiped out"
Folk then pointed 20 conditions in
his own state. showing the way in
which il was gradually working away
from graft. He pointed 10 the gamb-
ling AT the race tracks and at the sa-
looms and 10 the way ii had been
abolished in the state
When the gambling at the race
tracks at ST. Louis was first abolish
ed" ne continued. the gambler cried
tndt TX would discourage the raising
of thoroughbred and fast horses in
the state. Thousands Of boys and men
sell their lives in the gambling places
at the races. I believe that the lives
Of the men who have gone down
through the gambling holes at the
race tracks should have the chance
even If the race horse business should
suffer.
Publicity l. Aid
Publicity now tends 10 abolish
the evils. UNFOLDING moral progress.
Reforms have been accomplished
largely through the efforts of the
press, which has thrown the light on
the offender. a few years ago prize
lighting was permitted in most all OF
the states while now il has been
made illegal in most OF them. showing
that the nation is progressing morally.
Give the people a chance 10 handle
the lines and graft will be abolished.
1 stand for the initiative referendum
and recall OF judges and decisions, as
they place the machinery OF the gov
eminent nearer the people and fur
Their from the organized political