The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-10-23
For Farmers to Consider.


an Independent agricultural news
paper, published in Meadville, Pa,
asking for information as to what "the
interests of the agricultural classes and
such as are not tratiickers in politics
required of Pennsylvania voters this
fall. The Farmer answers him as
follows in its issue of October Is,
1855.
"The one State office to be filled
this year in Pennsylvania is one which
most essentially demands that the
holder should be possessed OF honesty,
integrity and business ability of high
order, aud all candidates for the posi-
ton should be squared by that stand
ard. If found worthy you can safely
give them your votes. 1t is in no
sense POLITICAL Office, that is, one in
which political questions are to be de-
cided, or where political sagacity is
needed. What is wanted is a compe
tent, honest, watchful custodian OF the
funds of the state capable, faithful
guardian of whatever trust may be con-
fided TO his charge. If such a man is
offered by either party, and opposed to
him you find only political manipula
tor, of doubtful or uncertain public Or
political character, ansehonest voter
ought to apply the same principles of
care and good judgment in choosing
for whom he will cast his vote, that he
would exercise were he employing a
man to serve him in private capacity.
"The candidates of the two old par
les for State Treasurer are Conrad B.
Day and Matthew S. Quay. The form
er has tor many years been a resident
Of Philadelphia, and is a prosperous
merchant of that city. He began his
business life at the very bottom round
of the ladder, as an crrand boy in the
house of which he is now at the head
By his energy, industry and fidelity to
various trusts contided to him, he was
advanced step by step, from errand
boy to clerk, and from clerk to palt tner,
stopping only when he had attained
the head of great business always
faithful, always honest, always
to be relied upon no spot or blemish
on his character, either public or pri-
vate. With such record, with such
business experience, his fitness for the
office for which he is nominated can
hardly be doubted. Never an active
politician, never mixed up in political
affairs if elected he would have no
political debts to be paid by the be,
stowal of trusts upon other than worthy
persons.
"Opposed to him, and, in many ways,
in strong contrast with him, stands
Matthew S. Quay, as familiar name
in political circles as any in the state.
For many years professional politi'
clan, followed no business or vocation
other than that of political engineer.
His political record saturated with
noisome odors his name closely asso-
oiated with political bribers, bribe-tak
ers and public plundereis, in whose un-
dertakings hir name was authority and
whose wicked schemes he engineered
His connection with the bribery proven
in the Pittsburgh Itiot Bill, as it ap
peared in the trial of the participants
of that corrupt scheme-a trial before
a court of acknowledged purity and
ability-which resulted in the convict
ion of the guilty parties his connect
ion with the pardon board infamy
which relieved the self-admitted felons
of their punishment his connection
with the celebrated Philadelphia Re
corders Bill ! his participation in the
speculation in the states money under
the administration of State Treasurer
Noyes his well-known defeat of the
'Apportionment Bill in the last legis-
ature-a fact not denied by any well
informed person. These things alone.
to say nothing of others which might
be enumerated, should put the honest
voter upon inquiry and cause him to
pause and consider before casting his
vote for such candidate.
"We have said nothing of the politi-
cal associations or affiliations of either
candidate. If the political bias of the
voter is sufficiently strong to cause
him to vote for the worst man for SO
important an office, then bad for the
voter. If we are met by the assertion
that Mr. Quay has always been an act,
i've Republican, then bad for the Re,
publican party.
"A party that dares to come before
the people with such standard bearer
deiies fate and insures defeat. There
ought to be sufficient integrity re
naming in the voters of this State tc
defeat such candidate, no matter
what party he represents.
"We have tried TO give the situation
truthfully-though unpleasant the tasl
and have stated only admitted facts
of which there is abundant proof. Ou
old friend wanted an honest statement
We have given it, and shall be ready
at all times to explain further, if no
( now well understood"