The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-10-09


state. grows more interesting. The pub
Hcation in the public prints, OF the cor
of the Auditor General ana
the State Treasurer with the convict
Treasurer of Philadelphia, was speedily
followed by the proclamation of Cover
ernor Pattison calling a special session
of the Senate to take action in the pre-
misses. Among all classes alike, without
regard to party affiliations, men who
think, were convinced by perusaI OF
this correspondence that the accused
officials were guilty of grossly improper
conduct. although there might be a ques-
ton as to whether the proof was sufh-
cient to convict them of their misdolngs
in the courts of justice.
In striking contrast with the diploma
tic conduct of District Attorney Graham
and the Republican managers In Phlia-
delphia who had original control OF the
case. is the conduct of the fearless DEM
cratic Governor in applying the heroic
remedy TO this malady which has
brought the body polite nigh unto
death. The situation is extremely alarm
ing to the Republican leaders of Penn
sylvania They control the Senate by a
large majority. They may be able to
delay investigation in the case and post
pone and possibly avoid entirely, final
action upon it, but the great tribunal of
public opinion will pass judgment upon
the party which they represent, and it
will be no longer an individual or two
who will be held responsible for the
wrong, but the party itself viii stand
convicted of attempting to cover up the
crimes of its representatives and to save
itself~at the expense of the public veal.
It-is- to be expected in this trying di-
lemma, the Republican managers will
raise the cry that this is simply a piece
of political clap trap on the part of Gov
.erner Pattison and his advisers, and that
the special session is part of the politi-
cal campaign now being waged by the
Democratic party, but the fact still re-
mains that Governor Pattison is too well
known to the people of Pennsylvania for
them to believe that unless he was con-
WINGED by a conscientious senee of his
duty, and impelled to action by higher
motives than those which inspire the
partisan, he would have ever called into
play the machinery of the office which
he holds. Recognizing that the best
interests of the people lay in this direc-
ton, he has not hesitated to act. Know
ing the significant eharaetel of the evi-
dence which has already been presented
and is likely to be brought ont, the de-
Tenders of the accounting officers of the
commonwealth are already beginning to
put in the plea of confession and avoid
ance. They can not help but admit
that there has been gross negligence on
the part of these officials, but they are
charging that it has been the custom of
the accounting officers, in the past, in
this particular But the law which has
been laid down for the guidance of the
Auditor General and State Treasurer is a
plain one. 1t is the duty of these Off
GERS to see to it that no county official
funds, failed to report the amount col
lected by him quarterly and to make
payment to the treasury ,Of the state all
moneys in his hands ON this account,
quarterly or oftener if the accounting
| officer saw fit to demand it.
| The friends of the State Treasurer are
naturally very much inoensed that he
also has been included in the proclama-
Etion of the Governor, but no other con-
sistent course lay open The same law
| which applies to the Auditor General,
applies to the State Treasurer If the
one was derelict in duty, the other has
been so also. Herein lies a little history
which dates back to that period in the
! financial affairs of PENNSYLVANIA when
tie once powerful Mackey and Quay
ring were first obtaining foethold il
| political affairs. 1t was found conven
lent when the Auditor General of the
State was not willing to be a party to al
/ their schemes to devise legislation which
70 the State Treasurer equal powers
with him, and so it was that as time
went on, the State Treasurer came tc
have. full power to compel settlement:
! from county and other officials with thai
| possessed by the Auditor General
These chickens have come home tc
roost." 1t is unfortunate nov that the
State Treasurer has been clothed with
equal power with the Auditor General,
for 1t would be a most convenient way
of escape for him to simply claim tha
he was but the custodian of the funds,
and that the Auditor General was the
,Qopector.
Taken all in all, the Republicans ar,
lin dreadful dilemma. Which hngr
they will seize, they are at a loss to de
termine. If they east Instructions IL
the way of Investigation, they will bt
crushed by the condemnation of ths
public If they conclude to make :
sacrifice of the Auditor General, the,
loose their political power. 1t remain.
to be seen what course in their wisdom
they WIKI pursue.
a CIRCULAR has been sent to County