Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-08-03
Legislative Candidates.

The Harrisburg Patriot remarking
upon the importance, now more than
ever before, of the choice of intelli-
gent, discreet and capable men to serve
as Legislators, says:
sin the approaching struggle between
the democracy of Pennsylvania and
their foe, the democratic line of battle
can be greatly strengthened by fit and
popular nominations for legislative OF.
fees. 1t is of course important that
the best nominations possible shall be
made for Congress but it is of even
greater moment that the candidates for
seats in the Legislature shall be men of
ability, integrity and experience. The
objective point OF Cameron is not mere.
ly to elect General Beaver governor, but
to secure a working majority in both
branches of the legislature. He will
concentrate all his power upon the close
representative and senatorial districts
and will of course take advantage of
weak democratic nominations wherever
he may find them. The Democrats can
defeat his purpose only by p esenting
Candidates for the legislature who en-.
Joy the respect and confidence of the
voters whose suffrages are to elect them.
Not only do the exieencies of the can.
vass require that a careful choice shall
be made in the selection of legislative
candidates, but the public service de.
mands the presence of able and expert
enced men in the legislature. The re.
forms which are to signalize the admin.
lstration of Governor Pattison must
have intelligent and effective support
from the law-making branch of the
state government. The executive can
accomplish but little for the public good
II his efforts are oppo ed or poorly sec.
onded by the legislature. 1t is there.
fore gratifying to observe that number
OF excellent nominations for the house
of representatives have already been
made. The Democrats Of Harrisburg,
for instance, have done we'll in present.
ing Hon. William r. Gorgas, former
State Senator, as their candidate for
Representative. The Franklin county
| democracy have shown great wisdom in
the nomination of Hon. J. Mcdowell
Sharpe, who made so brilliant record
when formerly a member of the House.
| Other nominations thus far are also up
10 high standard of excellence. On
| the other hand the custom of retiring
representatives after "a certain number
terms without regard 10 their ability
and fidelity if followed this year weuld
deprive the democracy of the services
of such men as Fenlon and Woodruff.
of Cambria, West, of York, Faunce, Of
Philadelphia, and others who made
good record in the last two legislatures
The custom is one more honored in the
breach than IN the observance at any
rate it should not be so closely followed
as to put aside tried ability and proved
integrity like the present. Butit there
mueti zoe "Totation " let the Democracy
see {o. it that those who are to succeed
the TAfred representatives are men who
will serve the state and the party with
efficiency and idehty."
In this county we have many men
of education and experience in active
business life, some of whom will be
before the convention, whose qualifi-
catlons are unquestloned, to take ad-
vanced positions in the public inter
ests, and we invoke our Democratic
friends to choose wisely and not with
passion or prejudice against any one,
or in favor of any one interest local
or personal. For ourselves we have
no personal feeling for or against any
one, but we do trust that our repre-
sentatives to the county convention
will canvass the qualifications of all,
whether candidates or not, and give
us men of known capacity to meet
and wrestle with the important ques.
tions which are certain to come for
ward in the next legislature.