Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-01
Mr. Wherry Insists That a Consli-
tutional Convention Is Neces-
Sary to Introduce the
, AUSTRALIAN PLAN In THE STATE.
Senator Blair Predicted Several Years Ago
the Bad Effects of Southern
Cheap Labor.
THE MONEY MADE IN GROWING GRAPES.


Another subcommittee of the House Ap.
ppopriatiou Committee visited Pittsbure
yesterday. This one is composed of the
yfedoubtable S. NJ. Wherry, the Democratic
I leader, j. E. Woodmansee and NJ F. Sands.
In the afternoon they inspected the Mercy
Hospital and Newsboys' Home, for which
institutions they had nothing but words OF
praise. Mr.. Wherry said he had some fault
to find with the Children's Home. Its per
capita rate is $500, while in Butler
and several other places he had
visited Mr.. Wherry stated it ranged from
$50 to SIS. He couldn't see why it should
cost six times as much to keep child in
Pittsburg than 10 Butler. The committee
left early for California, where they will
examine the normal school and return to-
day.
Reduction of Charitable Appropriations.
"Is it true, as reported" ." Mr. Wherry was
asked, THAT the appropriations for charita-
BILE institutions will probably be cut off this
year?"
To this question he replied: "WelI, it GER
tainly looks that way. After all the State
institutions have been provided for there
d
60 around, and this sum won't go far"
Switching off to his election reform bill,
in which he is most interested, he said: 81
can't see how the good features of the Aus
tralian ballot system can be adopted in this
State without changing the Constitution.
We would all like to avoid the expense of q
convention, but it is the only proper
way in which it can be done. 1 ex-
pect to see my bill passed unless Mr..
Bakers election bill should take precedence.
If his bill were amended and passed it
would be pretty state of affairs if, after an
election was held, the courts should declare
the act illegal. What would be done then?
Necessity of Constitutional Convention.
81 have read Captain Bakers bill in de-
tail, and am well posted on all its features
1 am convinced that a constitutional con-
vention is necessary, though we would like
to avoid it"
Harry F. Walton, the Assistant Solici-
tor of Philadelphia, was standing near
by. He is a member of the Bank
Inquiry Committee. Fraud in elec-
tions," he said, SIS confined to
the large cities, aRd 1 can safely say that
it is reduced to minimum in Philadelphia.
] am not acquainted with Pittsburg, but 1
think there is little unfairness .practiced
here, Both parties have learned from e1-
perience that it pays to put up good men,
and they know, too, that the people refuse
to vote when they feel that their ballots are
not counted. L am pretty well satisfied
with the election law under the Constitu-
tion. To carry out Bakers ideas it would
cost the State $500, 600 to put up the polling
booths. In New Jersey believe they are
made of iron.
According TO Mr.. Bakers bill, any man
who runs for Office can have his name placed
on the ticket at the expense of the county if
he is indorsed by 200 electors. l don't like
this feature, as it is an easy matter to get
signers, and in most cases it wouldn't be
necessary Tor an aspirant to go outside of
his own precinct.
Grave Fears of Resultant Fraud
Suppose there should be factional differ
ences in either party. 1t would be the aim
of opponents to put as many candidates
as possible in the field, to divide
the poll, and lessen the chances of defeat.
To me it looks that the unbridled partisan
beat would lead TO the commission of numer-
Gus frauds. In Philadelphia the young
inen gravitate into politics. The city is full
OF young fellows with political ambitions.
1t is not the case in New York, but sup
pose there are good reasons for it,"