Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-10-31
ROUSING BIG MEETING.
SATURDAY EVENINGS RALLY WAS A
GREAT SUCCESS.

The voters of Freeland and vicinity
turned out in large numbers on Saturday
evening, and at s o'clock the opera house
was crowded to the door. At least one
third of the audience was composed of
Republicans, and many of them seemed
to enjoy the meeting as much as the
Democrats, although the Grand Old
Party was handled without mercy by
saVeral of the speakers.
After music by the St. Patrick's cor
net band, VIM. F. Boyle, of the county
committee, opened the meeting and
John d. Hayes, ESQ.,, was chosen as
chairman of the evening.
The first speaker was Hon. William
II. Hines, of Wilkes-Barre, candidate
for congress. He took up the cry of the
Republican party, Protection to Ameri-
can labor" and showed to the audience
the hypocrisy of the men who use the
phrase to catch votes.
If they were sincere in their desire to
protect and advance the interests of the
American workmen, said Mr.. Hines,
they could find none worthier than those
in Pennsylvania, and by reading the
records of the legislatures of this state
he proved that every measure asked for
by the industrial classes was killed or
mangled in the Republican house or the
Republican senate.
The speaker urged workingmen to cut
loose from party that had betrayed
their interests so often, and to vote for
those who in the past has been true to
them in all their struggles.
j. Ridgway Wright, of Wilkes-Barre
candidate for the state senate, was next
introduced. After brief history of
how they do things in the legislature,
and how it requires at least one term to
learn the 'ropes" before man can OBJ
tain anything for his constituents, he
opened on the new county question.
To those who wished TO see Luzerne
divided he said they should vote for his
opponent, G. W. Kline, of Hazleton,
and to those who prefer to have it as it
is to vote for Wright. That is all, he
claimed, was in the senatorial contest,
new county or no new county," and
he is, and, if elected, will oppose it in
every possible manner that he can. His
remarks brought forth rounds of ap-
plause that proved Freeland will do its
duty in holding old Luzerne in the proud
position it has to-day.
Anthony Reilly, of Hazleton, candi-
date for representative, then followed.
He did not come prepared TO make an
address and consequently spoke only a
short time. He said that, if elected, he
would represent the district faithfully
and honestly, without regard to any sec
tion or any faction.
He had heard, he stated, that he
would be heavily cut on this side, but
did not know how true the rumor was.
He could not imagine why any Demo-
crat should cut him, as he had been al
ways faithful and consistent supporter
of his party.
District Attorney John M. Garman, of
Nanticoke, gave sort of general review
of the political situation, interspersed
with anecdotes and witty sayings. He
also spoke of those county candidates
who could not be present, and had not
the least doubt of the success of the
ticket, from congressman down to sur
veyor, if the voters only go to the polls.
County Treasurer John S. McGroarty,
of Wilkes-Barre, confined his remarks
principally to the new county issue. He
was well acquainted with Mr.. Kline, he
said, knew him to be a perfect gentle
man, upright and honest, etc, but,
nevertheless, Mr.. Kline deliberately in
tends to make every taxpayer in Free
land and vicinity go down into their
pockets and pay from five to ten times
the amount of county taxes they now
pay.
He made this charge without fear of
contradiction, and defied Mr.. Kline, or
any of his party, or any of the boomers
of The new county, to come to FreeTand
before election day and refute it.
Luzerne county, as il now stands,
ranks third in the state, being surpassed
only by Philadelphia and Allegheny,
still, its citizens pay less county taxes
than those living in any other county.
The county tax here is six mills, with
one-haf mill for sinking fund and one
half for bridge.
Taking certain property in Freeland
borough as an illustration, which Mr..
McGroarty says is valued on the records
at Wilkes-Barre at $4l6 the county tax
which the owner pays is $2.91. If the
new county is formed the county tax on
the same identical property will be
SIPS, and if anyone wishes to question
these figures they are requested to call
on or address John S. McGroarty, Treas
urer's office, Wilkes-B Barre, Pa.
The speakers argument against the
scheme of the Hazleton politicians to
load us down with taxes for a new Jail,
new court house, offices and fixtures, for
the conceited city of Hazleton, was an
eye-opener for the audience, but the
earnestness with which it was delivered
and the proofs that he possesses marked
it as fact which none dare dispute.
Taxes, he said, are now high enough,
too high in fact, but it is not the fault of
old Luzerne, for we have the lowest
county tax in the state of Pennsylvania
A vote for G. w. Kline for senator is a
vote for the new county, and the new
county means the increase of the tax
rate to its full extent.
The speaker was loudly applauded as
he concluded, and was followed by John
r. Lenahan, Esq, of Wilkes-Barre, who
also received an ovation as he stepped
d, to the front of the stage. The address
of Mr.. Lenahan was one of the finest
and most eloquent ever heard in the
town. Beginning at the formation Of
the government he followed the course
of the Democratic party and the various
parties and factions that had riser
against it, and showed that the party Of
Jefferson, Jackson and Cleveland was al