Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 17.pdf/80

 THE LEGAL SIDE OF JOSEPH V. FOLK at his disposal and the entire work devolved upon him. He started in on the members of both branches of the Assembly and found himself balked at every turn. Circum stances afterwards revealed that the Councilmen and the Delegates were carefully schooled. It appeared that the work of training these law makers devolved on three of the bribe-takers and for a time it was highly successful. Not a syllable of guilt could Folk wring from them. "I never heard of a combine, know noth ing of any boodle money, and would kill a man who accused me of bribery," was the invariable reply to all questions. By dint of hard work, however, Folk brought out for the benefit of the Grand Jury, the foreman of which was William H. Lee, a leading banker, that there existed in both branches of the Assembly, what was known as a " Combine." This was a federa tion of men irrespective of party, whose sole object was control of legislation and exac tion of money for every bill that passed. No matter how small the object nor how large the public benefit, unless money was forthcoming, the Combine held up or de feated every measure. This money did not go to the city treasury but into the pockets of the Combine. Just as a board of direct ors of any business house or bank would meet, so would the Combine work. The Speaker of the House was chairman of the caucuses of the Combine. He called the meetings together and measures were dis cussed as cold-bloodedly as a business man would discuss a business proposition with his directorate. The probable value of the bill would be "chewed over" and votes would be taken as to how much ought to be demanded for the passage of the bill. The figure voted for by the greatest number of the Combine, which in the House consisted of nineteen of the twenty-eight members, would be finally settled upon and then the Combine would appoint an "agent." It was the duty of the agent to seek out the pro moter of the bill and approach him with

the proposition of the Combine. The price demanded would be laid before him and he would be given his choice of paying or see ing the bill defeated. In very few in stances did the object of the Combine fail. Folk's first information on this score was very vague, but he had enough to inspire him and he also learned that the bill in which it was stated the boodle money was "held up" was known as "House Bill 44." This was a measure to allow the St. Louis and Suburban Railway Company certain franchises over the public streets. The value of the franchise, if granted, would have been incalculable. Charles H. Turner was. the president of the railway and he wassummoned. He mentioned the name of Philip Stock, "Legislative Agent," who han dled all such matters," and Stock wasbrought up to the Circuit Attorney's office with Turner. Stock held out valiantly for a time. He was supported by Turner, and it seemed that the State would make no headway. But the Folk system of ques tioning, which meets all contingencies with a smile, was not to be baffled. "Gentlemen, you are but wasting your time," was the quiet remark of Mr. Folk. "We are aware of that. Our time is val uable and our business demands that you cease this questioning and allow us to go," was the reply. The smile never left Folk's face. "The quickest way to do that is to tell the truth. Now I am going to tell you something. I know what you know. You must tell me what you are concealing or, gentlemen, I will paste an indictment on each of your backs and you have my word now that I will send you both to the penitentiary." Turner and Stock lost their self-possession for the minute, and they were gone. "Give us time to consult our lawyer," they begged. "You have one hour," said Folk, the im perturbable smile never leaving his face, "but may I ask who your lawyer is?"