Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-09-14

the Efforts of honest men of all parties
to secure administrative reform. What.
ever Mr.. Pattison's Office has contribut-
ed to the almShouSe exposure has been
strictly IN the line Of his uninterrupted
efforts TO secure honest government in
every department of the city. From
the outset of his career-aud it has
been watched by the people of the
whole State, he has been aggressively
earnest in his purpose that rhiladel-
phia should get value received for every
dollar expended. lie has determined
that the taX-eaters shall not rob the
taxpayers, and | believe everybody ac-,
knowledges that TO his administration
the Success of the reform movement is
largely due. The exposure Of Phipps'
villiany will direct attention TO the
fact that the same system Of plunder-
ing has been going on for years at
Harrisburg. | have investigated this
subject from time to time, and ! am
well satisfied that by colusion between
the officials Of State Capital Hin and
the contractors for supplies there has
been extensive plumber OF the State
Treasury. | know contractor who
WAS caught some years ago delivering
81 200 pounds of coal 10 the ton TO one
of the departments. In stationary sup
plies there have been gross frauds. The
Legislative Record" publication has
been accompanied with jobbery and ir-
regularity. The list Of supplies furnish
ed to the departments is prima fucie ev-
idence that there are immense perquiSi-
ties for hangers on around the hill. The
prices paid for some Of them are enOr-
nous, and the character Of them indi--
Gates that private houses are furnished
and storerooms and cellars filed out of
the States purchases. The people are
asking why the state should huy bay
rum and shaving mugs for Senators,
and new cuSpadorcS, chairs, sofas, cur
tains and carpets every year. Tile large
contingent funds cover a multitude of
sins. Brooms, buckets, etc, are fur
nished III quantities sufficient to clean
all the legislative halls in the country.
Pastors and folders are employed in
numbers three times as'great as ncces-
sary, and paid six dollars day for the
work that they can employ sub to do
for six dollars week. -Four tons of
soap, go brooms, and as many more
scrub brushes, $50 pals and $50 dust
brushes, besides $50 feather busters
for 10 dozen of which $3.50 q dozen
are paid-not to speak of window
brushes, long and Short, sweeping
brushes and chamois skin, ought to
keep things from ever falling into dirt
and decay around the departments aad
legislative halls. But why should the
State buy blacking and shoe brushes,
clothes brushes and hair brushes-at
S3l.60 per dozen nail brushes and hair
tonics, shaving mugs-$l3.45 per doz-
en-for State officials ? The people
want to know. They are going to fnd
out.1 can go on with column catalogue
orthiS sort OF piIfering at Harrisburg. 1t
is stealing, and the people know it, and
they see that the very rascals who have
been in it and are living off it are Bea-
ver's most ardent supporters. There
is feeling that Pattison is the man to
stop this thing. Newspaper artillery
and the defamation Of rerorme rs have
proved unavailing. Even well.disposed
legislators do not seem to be proof a.
gainst the temptations which are offer
ed them when the ring provides al
these creature comforts for them.
What is needed is al executi i've of iron
viii, honesty of purpose, and infexibIe
courage, to clean house at Harrisburg.
The almshouse exposures will have
great effect over the State in direct
ing attention to Pattison as the 1ttest
man to prosecute similar Investigations
at the State CAPITAL