The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-09-11

Republican auditor general for having
conspired to pay John Bardsley, the
Republican treasurer of Philadelphia
city and county, on December 20,
1890, $4,000 out of the state treas
ury, ostensibly on account of Philadel-
phia country's share of the personal
property tax but actually before that
tax had been paid into the state treas
ury. and when John Bardsley was al
ready defaulter and embezzler on ac-
count to the amount of S6ss,oI3,1I.
a PARTY OF OFFICIAL CORRUPTION.
II. We arraign and condemn the
Republican party OF Pennsylvania for
having fostered, encouraged. protected
and continued reckless system of
official speculation with public moneys
whereby state and city treasurers have
enriched themselves, corrupted the
public morals and robbed the taxpay-
ers. The practice Of using public
funds for private gain or political ad
vantage is to be condemned and should
be completely and thoroughly eradicat-
ed.
IS. We arraign and condemn the
Republican state convention, recently
assembled, for its condonation and de
fense of faihless Republican state Off
cials guilty of these dereliciions, some Of
whom sat in its councils, influenced its
action and dictated and controlled its
utterances.
I6. We pledge the candidates this
day nominated to make such investi-
cations and give such information to
the law department Of the common
wealth as will enable it to bring to
punishment those guilty of malfeasance
in Office.
II. We denounce the corrupt and
shameless domination of Senator Mat
thew Quay in the politics of the state,
and arraign and condemn the Republ;-
can party for its servile acquiesence in
the leadership of man who has utter.
ly failed to defend himself from grave
charges against his official conduct and
political record
IS. We heartily endorse the wise,
statesmanlke and patriotic administra-
ton of Governor Pattison we applaud
and approve his fearless vetoes Of
partisan vicious and i'll considered leg
islation his recommendation of salu-
tary laws ; his rigorous investigation
and wholesome correction of public
abuses, and his determination to en-.
force the constitution, punish offend
ers and secure public reform.
SYMPATHY FOR THE woRKINGMEN.
Io. We sympathise with the just de
mands of workingmen for all such
legislation as will protect their inter-
ests, and for such speedy amendment
to the constitution as will secure to
them free and secret ballot
90. We oppose the repeal Of the
mercantile taxes. and insist that they
shall be fairly and equitably laid, hon.
estly collected, and that the money
arising from them shall be paid into
the state treasury, and not stolen by
Its agents We favor the repeal of
such provisions of law as require advel-
tisement of these taxes, and the in
curing Of cost of collection where
there can bt no recovery. We favor
the abolition of the Office Of mercantile
appraiser and the substitution of some
certain, economical and expeditions
method OF assessing and collecting
these taxes.
81. We approve all legislation look
ing to an honest registry of voters to
the end that every qualified voter may
be secured the exercise of his franchise
and that the list may be purged Of all
names not rightly thereon. ...
22. We believe that the right Of free,
honest and secret ballot is the right
preservative of all political rights. We
approve the largest measure Of ballot
reform and believe the whole advan,
tages of the Australian ballot system
should be secured to the electors of
Pennsylvania. The ballot bill eract-
ed at the last general assembly was a
step in the right direction, but 1t needs
to be supplemented by measures to
secure reform in registration. To this
end and for these purposes only we
favor the assembling of a constitutional
convention.
Worth Five Dollars.