The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-07-26
Reform In Politics.

Every we'll meaning man should re-
ioice at reform movement, whether
IL affects our political or social relations.
Any movement that lessons crime, and |
advances the interests of the mass In
health, morals, or education Is entitled
TO respect and support.
Politics should not bo such hide
bound subject that merely for the sake
of organization, for the purpose oil Keep
ing up ancient traditions, men should
be compelled to travel in the same rut
blindly for years. II fraud and corrup
tion creep into an organization, ana IL
cannot be defeated otherwise, honest
men are justified in going outside Tor
support-to make alliances with other
well meaning persons to accomplish a
common object.
At no one time in our national histo'
ry has the administration OF govern
ment needed reform so much as now.
The statesmen of the Revolution and
their immediate descendants have pass
ed from the political field, and their
places are supplied by those whose sole
claim for the guidance OF our destinie'
is based upon the ability with which
they can manage an army in the field
or the popular strength they can wielo
by the art of low demagoguery. Hence
we have President whose sole claim
to that position is the fact that VIII
overwhelming forces and resources h
was successful in war. His time, whicl
should be devoted to the interests of tn
nation is spent in horse racing, or II
pleasure excursions, and his associa
tions arc the dregs of our society. Al
ter providing Offices for all his relative
and military retainers, some are dole
out to favorltes, contingent on futur
support, and the balance to those VIII
have made gifts of houses, lands, an
money.
The evil has crept into our state pol
tics. Officers elected to mighty an
responsible trusts-charged with th
guardianship of the peoples treasur
and the execution of the laws-have nc
only copsorted with thieves and robbei
but partaken of the spoils. Aye, eve
when justice has overtaken their col
federates, petitions for pardon al
promptly signed by those who shoul
aid in ferreting out and punishing III
guilty.
The Republican party in defiance
public sentiment, and with full know
edge of the men, have nominated Har
ranft and Allen for Governor and Al
ditor General. Both urged, and tn
latter voted for the scheme to take min
and half millions of dollars from tn
Treasury and invest it in a worthle
railroad scheme for the benefit of lobb.
lists and spectators. The former ha
full knowledge of the vast amour
withheld from the State by Geo.
Evans, and in defiance of law not Onl
failed to report the fact to the Legisl
ture, but borrowed $1,000 from Il
thief.
His duty as Auditor General requir
him to collect taxes due the state fro
corporations, yet he has allowed the
to retain over two millions of dollar
and to-day cannot tell how much
due; nor has he ever reported the q
falcations to the Legislature. He n
used the State funds for private spec
lation, and while the partner of h
crime is in the penitentiary, he
seeking the highest Office in the gift
the people.
Honest men cannot vote for such ca
didates whatever their political fai
may be. They would not select the
as business associates, nor trust the
with the management Of their priva
interests. Much less can they turn ov
to them the treasures of the. State,
the administration of justice and t
laws, which is far more important to
free state.
Let the people act and show that th'
are not the aiders and abettors of scou
drels whatever bartering political
may be.