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One of Missouri's best-known leaders of the Progressive Era, Joseph W. Folk epitomized the moral reformer in politics. As a crusading district attorney in St. Louis, Folk won national acclaim for his investigations of wrong-doing in municipal government. With the help of muckraking journalist Lincoln Steffens, Folk revealed for the first time the extent of political corruption then plaguing America's cities and helped bring about a popular demand for the regeneration of municipal government nationwide. A firm believer that the law was a weapon with which to check political corruption and restrain powerful special interests, Folk popularized the "Missouri Idea," the doctrine that public office is a public trust, not merely an opportunity for private gain. Elected governor of Missouri in 1904, Folk orchestrated a remarkable record of legislative accomplishment. He established himself as one of Missouri's outstanding governors and one of the nation's leading Progressive reformers. In asserting that traditional moral values could be applied to politics, Folk became known among friends and enemies as Holy Joe. His refusal to make any distinction between public and private morality, however, alienated some Missourians, while his disregard for party organization angered politicians. His idealism cost him political advancement and ultimately a place in national politics.

Governors --- Politicians --- Regions & Countries - Americas --- History & Archaeology --- United States Local History --- Statesmen --- Kings and rulers --- Public officers --- Biography --- Folk, Joseph Wingate, --- Missouri --- Saint Louis (Mo.) --- St. Louis (Mo.) --- St. Louis --- City of St. Louis (Mo.) --- Sent-Lüis (Mo.) --- Горад Сент-Луіс (Mo.) --- Horad Sent-Luis (Mo.) --- Сэнт-Луіс (Mo.) --- Сейнт Луис (Mo.) --- Seĭnt Luis (Mo.) --- San Luis (Mo.) --- San Luis de Iluenses (Mo.) --- Ciudad de San Luis (Mo.) --- Sankta Luiso (Mo.) --- סנט לואיס (Mo.) --- Sanṭ Luʼis (Mo.) --- Urbs Sancti Ludovici (Mo.) --- Sancti Ludovici (Mo.) --- Sentluisa (Mo.) --- Sent Luisas (Mo.) --- Сент Луис (Mo.) --- セントルイス (Mo.) --- Sentoruisu (Mo.) --- São Luís (Mo.) --- Сент-Луїс (Mo.) --- Sent Loisos (Mo.) --- 圣路易斯 (Mo.) --- Shengluyisi (Mo.) --- Sheng lu yi si (Mo.) --- Sheng Luyisi (Mo.) --- City of Saint Louis (Mo.) --- Lacledes Village (Mo.) --- Mound City (Mo.) --- Pain Court (Mo.) --- Pancore (Mo.) --- Saint Lewis (Mo.) --- Saint Louis City (Mo.) --- Rome of the West (Mo.) --- STL (Mo.) --- Gateway to the West (Mo.) --- Politics and government --- Politics and government.