The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-09-03
LAST WORDS.

In less than one week from To-Day tne
Erie Convention will have met, nominated
candidates for Governor and 1reasttreli,
laid down its platform, and adjourned.
This. therefore, is the only opportunity we
shall have of addressing few last words
to the gentlemen who will compose that
BODY previous to their meeting
Ttr q,coDEe land we use the word not III
the cant of the stump, but in contradls-
tinction to wire-pullers and political trick
sters) are going to decide the contest tins
Fall. When business is brisk, wages good,
employment plenty, and not only the neccs-
sarics, but many of the luxures of life
within the reach of every industrious
citizen, the people are absorbed with their
private affairs, and leave public matters to
be run by the professional politicians.
When however, all this is reversed, as 1t
is at this time and business stagnates, and
thousands willing and anxious to work are
found struggling for the necessaries of
life, then indeed do the people take an
active and prominent part IN the direction
of their public affairs. Compelled to econ
omize, trying everything and searching
everywhere for relief, they scrutinize more
closely and rigidly the management OF
their public trusts. Such is their present
condition, and such the work they are now
and will be engaged in until election day.
OF but little avail then will it be for
THAI the State debt has been reduced,
when they discover that had the taxes,
they have paid been honestly appropriated,
it would have been reduced still more-that
they pay no State taxes, that they are paid
by the corporations of the State, when
their support enables corporations to pay
both State taxes and large dividends-that
even if Hartranft and Mackey have specu-
lated with and plundered the State funds,
l.,
ries and ali the expenses of the government
have increased because all the expenses of
living have also greatly increased, when
they know that they are living on far less
than they aid few years ago; as well
might you attempt 20 satisfy the hunger
of starving man with promises as to
hoodwink the people with such subterfuges.
They need, and must and will have some
thing more practical, something that will
give them promise of relief and better
times. The promises of orators, newspa-
pers and party platforms will not satisfy
them unless, accompanied with candidates
whose regulations will give assurance of
their being carried out.
Let the platform at Erie be brief, plain,
candid, and confined to State issues
Let it unoquivocally commit the party to
a reduction of salaries and all other eXpen-
ses, and to an honest, faithful and economi-
cal administration of every department OF
the State Government.
Then see to it that such candidates are
nominated as will inspire the people with
confidence, that if elected, they will carry
out the promises in the platforms, and your
victory of last will be insignificant CON-
pared with that of the present year.
Our candidate for Governor should be a
man of sterling integrity, aud known as
such throughout the State lie should
be neither an Office holder nor one who
has been an Office seeker, for whilst we
know men of both classes, who are thor
oughly honest, upright and conscientious,
and whom we could cordially support for
any office, yet the people look upon them
as identified with, and as having been in
strumental i'll bringing abOnt, the present
state of affairs he should oe a bold, cour-
ageous and just man, not afraid to do
right. who would strike down corruption
within his own party as soon and as ear
nestly as within that of his opponents.
With candidate embodying such quail
ties placed in the field against Mackey' $
friend and co-speculator the contest would
not be doubtful.
The candidate for State Treasurer should
be a man of like character and entirely
free from all corporate connection i'll
fluence.
From what we know of the gentlemen
selected to the Erie Convention, we have
every confidence that they will fully satisfy
publicexpectatiOn and the popular demand,
well knowing as they do, that, whilst poll
ticians may set up and run conventions,
the people when aroused determine cleo
tiOnS