The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-10-09
The Dilemma Of the Bosses.

spect to the defrauded Treasury Of the
State Of Pennsylvania, and the derelict
conduct Of the accounting officers of
the State, grows more interesting. The
publication in the public prints, of the
correspondence of the Auditor General
and the State Treasurer with the con-
vict Treasurer of Philadelphia, was
speedily followed by the proclamation
Of Governor Pattison calling a special
session Of the Senate to take action in
the premises. Among all classes alike,
without regard to party affiliations men
who think, were convinced by perusal
Of this correspondence that the accused
officials were guilty of grossly improper
conduct, although there might be a
question as to whether the proof was
sufficient to convict them of their mis-
doings in the courts of Justice.
In striking contrast with the diplo-
matte conduct of District Attorney
Graham and the Republican managers
in Philadelphia who had original con-
troll of the case, is the conduct of the
fearless Democratic Governor in apply.
ing the heroic remedy to this malady
which has brought the body polite
nigh unto death. The situation is ex-
tremely alarming to the Republican
leaders of Pennsylvania. They con-
troll the Senate by a large majority.
They may be able to delay investiga-
tion in the case and postpone and pos
sibly avoid entirely, final action upon
it, but the great tribunal Of public opin.
ion will pass jud dgment 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 will stand convicted of at
tempting to cover up the crimes Of its
representatives and to save itself at the
expense of the public veal.
1t is to be expected in this trying d.
lemma, the Republican managers will
raise the cry that this is simply piece
Of political clap trap on the part of
Governor Pattison and his advisers,
and that the special session is part of
the political campaign now being waged
by the Democratic party, but the fact
still remains that Governor Pattison is
too well known to the people of Penn
sylvania for them to believe that unless
he was convinced by a conscientious
sense of his duty, and impelled to ac-
ton by higher motives than those which
inspire the partisan, he would have
ever called into play the machinery Of
the Office which he holds Recogniz.
ing that the best Interests Of the people
lay in this direction. he has not hesita-
ted to act. Knowing the significant
character of the evidence which has
already been presented and is likely to
be brought out, the defenders Of the
accounting officers Of the common.
wealth are already beginning to put in
the plea OF confession and avoidance.
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 ac-
counting officers, in the past, in this
particular. But the law which has been
laid down for the guidance Of the Au-
ditor general and State Treasurer Is a
plain one. 1t was the duty OF the Off
GERS to see to it that no county Official
charged with the collection Of the State
funds, failed to report the amount col
lected by him quarterly, and to make
payment to the Treasury Of the State
of all moneys in his hands on this &C.
count, quarterly or oftener if the ac-
counting officer saw fit to demand it.
The friends Of the State Treasurer
are naturally very much incensed that
he also has been included in the proc
lamation ofthe Governor, but no other
consistent course lay open. The same
law which applies to the Auditor Gen.
eral, applies to the State Treasurer. If
the one was derelict in duty, the other
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