Joseph Wingate Folk (D)

Overview

At a Glance

• Oversaw vigorous antitrust prosecutions including against Standard Oil (1905)
• Ended free railroad passes for state officials and legislators
• Extended statute of limitations on bribery from three to five years
• Reformed St. Louis police department
• Repealed law legalizing racetrack gambling
• Passed law requiring lobbyists to formally register with the state
• Enforced Sunday-closing laws (1905)
• Passed initiative and referendum amendment to state constitution
• Passed child labor and compulsory school attendance laws
• Passed eight-hour work day law for workers in mines and smelters
• Established board of examiners for lawyers, dentists, and veterinarians
• Passed pure-food bill
• Created commissions for horticulture, dairy, and poultry
• Created Missouri Library Commission

Personal History

Joseph Wingate Folk was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, to Henry Bate Folk and Martha Estes Folk. His father, Henry, moved the family from North Carolina to West Tennessee, where he made significant contributions as a teacher, studied law, and established a law practice in Brownsville in 1866. Joseph received a solid education from both public and private institutions in his hometown, completing his early education at the Brownsville Academy by the age of 16.

After finishing his studies, Folk initially worked as a clerk for the Southern Express Company in Memphis and later took a bookkeeping position at a grocery firm. He eventually returned to Brownsville, where he spent a year studying law in his father's office. This experience solidified his decision to pursue a career in law, leading him to enroll in Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville. Folk was admitted to the bar in 1890 and quickly became a partner in his father's law office, focusing on criminal law while also writing articles for newspapers and giving speeches on various occasions. He actively participated in the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization chartered by Congress.

In the fall of 1893, Folk relocated to St. Louis to partner with his uncle, Judge Frank M. Estes, and quickly established himself as a prominent attorney while nurturing his political ambitions. He played a key role in organizing the Jefferson Club, a powerful local group of young Democrats, and later served as its president. His legal career took a notable turn during the transit strike that paralyzed St. Louis in the summer of 1900. Folk volunteered to mediate the conflict and successfully facilitated a settlement, garnering significant publicity and fostering goodwill among organized labor.

After his involvement in politics, Folk briefly worked as a counselor for the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce before establishing a private law practice in Washington, D.C. During World War I, he embraced the ideals of President Woodrow Wilson and became an ardent internationalist. In 1919, he acted as the American Counsel for the Egyptian National Committee, supporting their efforts to end British colonial rule. By 1922, Folk was instrumental in representing the government of Peru in negotiations with Chile concerning a boundary dispute, successfully persuading the U.S. government to take on the role of arbitrator.

Folk's accomplishments were recognized through honorary degrees from several institutions, including the University of Missouri (1905), William Jewell College (1906), Drury College (1907), Westminster College (1907), Southwestern Baptist University (1908), and Baylor University (1919). He was a respected member of professional organizations, such as the American Bar Association and the Society of International Law, and he was also affiliated with the Baptist Church.

On November 10, 1896, Folk married Gertrude Glass, though the couple did not have children. Despite his significant achievements, Folk faced personal challenges, including a nervous breakdown due to overwork in March 1922. Tragically, he died of a heart attack in New York City just over a year later. Joseph Wingate Folk was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery in Brownsville, Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy of law and public service that would be remembered in Missouri and beyond.

Political History

Before relocating to Missouri, Folk was already active in politics in his hometown of Brownsville, Tennessee. He was a member of the Democratic Club and ran for the position of state representative in the Tennessee legislature in 1892, although his campaign was unsuccessful. After moving to Missouri, Folk gained support from the Jefferson Club, a powerful local organization, and garnered recognition for his successful mediation during a transit strike in St. Louis. His alignment with Boss Ed Butler and the Democratic political machine, which considered him "safe," helped pave the way for his nomination as the Democratic Party's candidate for circuit attorney in 1900; a position to which he was subsequently elected.

Once in office, Folk made it clear that he intended to strictly enforce the law. He promptly initiated an investigation into corruption within the St. Louis municipal assembly, focusing on allegations that a coalition of corrupt businessmen and politicians was illegally controlling municipal franchises, licenses, and garbage contracts. This group reportedly engaged in selling contracts to the highest bidder while exchanging tax breaks and other special privileges for kickbacks. Folk’s investigation not only confirmed suspicions of widespread corruption but also led to the indictment of 39 individuals, including 21 members of the municipal assembly, Boss Butler, and several other prominent figures. However, many of these indictments were later overturned by the Missouri Supreme Court due to legal technicalities.

Despite strong opposition from powerful business interests and "organization" politicians who believed that Folk’s aggressive approach would damage the city’s reputation and economy, his investigations shocked the public and revealed the extent of corruption within St. Louis. The fallout from these revelations highlighted the collusion between unethical businessmen and politicians and helped catalyze the growing progressive reform movement across the nation, giving rise to the journalism movement known as "muckraking."

In 1904, the Missouri Democratic Party nominated Folk as its candidate for governor, emphasizing the need for honest government in light of recent bribery scandals within the state legislature. Despite facing opposition from many Democratic leaders in St. Louis, Folk achieved a decisive victory, winning by 30,000 votes even as other Democratic candidates were swept away in a Republican landslide led by Theodore Roosevelt.

Folk’s unwavering commitment to his principles and his moralistic perspective on governance alienated some powerful factions within his own party. As a result, he lost the Democratic senatorial primary to the incumbent, William Joel Stone, in both 1908 and 1910. Following this setback, Folk returned to private law practice until 1912, when President Woodrow Wilson appointed him as solicitor for the State Department. He resigned from this position in 1914 to become chief counsel for the Interstate Commerce Commission.

After the death of Senator Stone in 1918, Folk sought a seat in the U.S. Senate once again. He secured the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost the election, marking another chapter in a political career characterized by significant achievements and challenges.

As governor, Folk faced challenges due to Republican control of the lower house of the legislature during his first two years in office, so he concentrated on law enforcement initiatives. Among his notable achievements were vigorous antitrust prosecutions, the end of free railroad passes for state officials, and improvements to election laws. He also worked to reform the St. Louis police department, repeal laws that legalized racetrack gambling, and enforce existing Sunday-closing laws. Some of his legislative proposals, such as ensuring that franchises be sold at auction and compelling witnesses in bribery cases to testify, were not approved, although an anti-lobbying law requiring lobbyist registration did pass in 1907.

With Democrats controlling both houses of the legislature during his final two years as governor, Folk was more successful in enacting reform. His notable accomplishments during this time included the passage of an initiative and referendum amendment to the state constitution, a direct primary law, child labor and compulsory school attendance laws, and an eight-hour workday law for mines and smelters. Furthermore, he promoted food safety regulations and enhanced oversight of railroads, private corporations, and public utilities. Additionally, he established boards of examiners for professions such as law, dentistry, and veterinary care and created the Missouri Library Commission to expand public library services across the state.

Historical Significance

Joseph Wingate Folk, who served both as city attorney and governor, was a strong proponent of strict law enforcement and advocated for a new public morality that equated bribery with treason. He became a key figure behind the "Missouri Idea," which suggested that Missouri could serve as a model of civic integrity by reclaiming popular control and vigorously enforcing laws. While Folk’s administration implemented numerous progressive reforms aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, these initiatives did not always align with his political goals.

Folk’s Baptist faith significantly influenced his policy decisions, particularly in regard to alcohol regulation. He strictly enforced laws that required bars to remain closed from midnight Saturday until midnight Sunday. This legislation resulted in a notable reduction in Sunday-related drunk and disorderly violations—by as much as 40 percent in some cities—but it also led to a ten percent decline in the number of bars statewide. The law received broad support in Kansas City, where it resonated with the moral values of many residents. However, it faced substantial backlash in St. Louis, which had a large population of German immigrants with a strong cultural affinity for beer. This situation illustrates the complexities of Folk's efforts to implement reforms that at times divided local communities.