Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-04
AN INDIGNANT LAYMAN
WRITES AN OPEN LETTER TO STATE
COUNCILLOR COLLINS.

An American Mechanic and Member of
the County Bar Protests Against Drag
ging the Order Into Politics-A Wash
ington Council Demands an nvestiga-
ton.
John d. Watson, Esq, a member of the
Allegheny County Bar and one OF the most
prominent lay members in the county of the
Jr. o. L. A. NJ, addresses the following
open letter to State Councillor Collins:
Stephen Collins:
SIR-YOu are State Councillor of a patriotic
order to which belong, and as you occupy the
highest position within this Commonwealth
jurisdiction. and as l am only floor member OF
The order, thus publicly address you:
You have not only disgraced the high office
you hold, but you have violated the solemn OBJ
legation, and your continuance in that position
will be an insult TO every member who respects
his oath. loves his country and has at heart the
grand principles OF the order. our resignation
a5 state Councillor is the only honorable course
your action will compel the best blood and intel
l-cncc OF our Council. 10 Withdraw; LOT men OF
honor and truc patriotism will not call ''brother''
man who. a. the plant tool OF an INSCRIPTIONS
politician. has caused the blush Of shame TO mount
their checks and who has for personal and selfish
res-Ous. attempted to use tine entire body as 4
voting factor in political campaign. ~
The circular You caused to be issued, in addition
10 being grossly improper was a tissue OF lies,
q.
Then. too ignorant to guide men in patriotism and
principles Of organic political truth.
DEFENDING PATTIsoN's VETO.
First-1he school bill Governor Pattison vetoed
allowed directors to contract debts and bond their
districts Tor debts in Of the present lawful
and wise limit without first having consulted the
voters OF said districts. l know some school
boards who would bankrupt their districts under
ghaI bill, had il become law, either through
~econd-lou are worHing TO lessen the influence
o. our orCer when You attempt TO array 1t against
any form of established religion, for you know
INal our constitution does not prohibit ANY
white male. American born, of good moral
character and fair intelligence joining and be-
coming a member, matter if he be Protestant.
Catholic or Hebrew, or Of what other God-feartng
sect
fhird-The language OF that circular is in
famous un-Amcrlcan and revolutionary. for YOU
cal on US 10 violate our obligations to ''obey and
defend the Constitution of State and vote for
= man who cOnfesses that he did have public
funds in his bank while a Senator in violation of
section a article 9, Of the Constitution, and who
has said IL was ''nobody's business if he did
have 1t there.
for one would rather he what profess TO be
an humble worker on the floor OF my councilman
such a State Councillor. and if This be treason
make the most Of 1t. Ii the ajority of the order
be with you in this, then l mistOok them when
1oined them, and / will be glad TO leave a nod
which uses the cUiOrs OF this nation for shield TO
hide TEVir revolutionary and American Du--
poses, hut if they are with lne-aud know they
Sre-yOu will nave to get down out of your saddle,
Tor want patriotic and one of ntelli-
Eence and honor at tbe head of our marchinq
column. Very earnestly,
JOHN ID. WATSON, Of i57. Jr. o. u. A. NJ.
DEMAND AN INVESTIGATION.
At a regular meeting of Friendship Council
No 20l at Washington. Pa. last night. the fol-
lowing resolution was unanimously adopted:
NHEREAs. Brother stephen Collins State Coun-
cilor Of Jr. .. L. \. NJ. OF Pennsylvania. stands
charged with having broken his obligations with
our order by attempting to use the order for po-
liiical purposes.
Resolved, That Friendship Council No. 201, Jr.
a.. L. A. NJ, demand that the Executive Board
Investigate the above charges.
Attest: f. B. GAUL, X. S.
Similar action was taken last evening by Sc
Tlckiey Council, as shown by thefOlowIng:
Ne the undersigned members of the Sewickley
Council 40. l7u, Jr. -. L. A. NJ, Irrespective of
politics, would most severely condemn and re-
ludiatC the conduct Of state Councillor Stephen
Collins IN prpstlJuung our organization in the
use OF lis influence and n&me for political pur-
poses. admitted oy him in an interview in THE
FITLSEUEG DISPATCH OF its issue of November 3,
1850, and would most respectfully urge that our
council aad all councils throughout the State of
PvIDsy yIvaniA shall by official and Immediate
action GSRe such steps may be necessary for
securing his prompt dismissal from office and our
order.
Charles I. Cooper, ;. T. ShOOp,
Charles Is. Wright, ". {. Duncan.
y. Z. Patton. George {. Cotton,
Frank {. usburn, A. Won Hofen,
A. l. Hamilton, b. b. Brush,
u H. Schlumpf, [. X. ScdIumpf
". h. Erwin, W. M Drynan.
Charles Drynau U. l. Schiumnf