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


In accepting the Democratic nomi-
nation for Auditor General Robert +.
Wright, made the following speech be-
fore the convention:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE CoNvENTIoN-1 thank you for the
evidence you have given Of your belief
that | am worthy to represent the peo-
pie for whom you speak in the contest
about to open. appreciate the grave
responsibility your nomination will in
volve and the important interests that
are staked on the outcome Of your de-
hberations and beg to assure you that
if l hesitated in indicating that would
be your candidate. if SO you wished, l
was influenced only by desire to do
that which would most surely advance
the interests committed to your care.
l now accept it with all the response
bilities an acceptance may imply. |
know that it involves something more
than mere party nomination, honor
able though that might be. For while
in your assembled capacity as a con.
vention you represent one of the great
political organizations of the State and
are convened to pledge the power Of
your party to the work so admirably
outlined in your platform, yet the wolk
itself extends far beyond the lines Of
ordinary political or party Inspirations
You have met under the presence
of startling conditions in public affairs.
1t has come to pass that by reason Of
most dcplorable circumstances, the
people of PENNSYLVANIA are not permit
ted to contest this election on lines of
national questions, nor yet upon those
matters of State concern that should
ordinarily engage the best attention of
thoughtful citizens.
THE ISSUES OF THE HOUR.
We are not at liberty with the peo-
pie of other States to form our lines OF
discussion solely upon the economic
and financial problems OF the country,
nor in calm judgment to legislate with
in the State for the welfare of the peo-
pie, for the relief Of the overburdened
classes nor for the developement OF
Pennsylvania interests. All these con-
siderations for the time being must be
laid aside because there are thrust up
on us the overshadowing problems born
of dishonest corrupt government.
Never in the history of the country
was there exhibited an administration
of affairs so universally corrupt as tina,
developed in Pennsylvania within the
last six months.
The city Of Philadelphia robbed ol
amillion dollars, the State of million
more, the schools Of half as much, the
taxpayer robbed in his assessment, and
exemptions, the State robbed Of large
percentage Of the small balance remain.
ing. Through all the ramihcations o
the process of tax collection from the
assessor to the final depository, the
heavy hand of reckless theft is felt as
the rising tide Of corruption sweeps up
toward the doors OF your capitol Not
isolated cases of single dishonest Of
fcials, not mere disconnected instan
ces of theft make up the record o.
public dishonor, but we'll planned, sys
tematic, continuous, daily robbery per
vading entire departments, embracing
almost every official who touches tht
public funds.
FAR-REACHING CORRUPTION.
Worse than all, not content with
robbing individual citizens and aggre
gated society, even the newspapers O
this boss-ridden party are compelled tc
pay tribute to organized plunder, ant
become the vehicle OF the transfer O
the peoples money from the public
treasury to the pockets of party heel
ers. Meeting. therefore, as the con
vention does, in the presence of thi.
overshadowing dishonor, it is but righ
that for the time being it should turr
aside from the discussion of curren
political topics to the more important
and pressing questions OF clean, homes
government. We are confronted b,
the fact that one whole administration