The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-22
ON EVE OF THE CONVENTION
delegates Gathering at harrisburg
Senator Quay's BASIS for Reform
Municipal legislation -Chairmauship


Municipal Lesislatiou- Craftsmanship
Battle.
Harrisburg, Pa, April 2l.-The dele
gates have been slowly gathering for
the Republican state convention which
will be called to order in the opera
house at 10 o'clock Thursday morning.
Most Of the prominent party leaders
are here and the bulk of the crowd will
be on the ground before tomorrow
night. Quay's name Is on every lip,
and his well-known features upon ev-
cry badge and button so lavishly dis
tributed. 1t Is In every respect a Quay
convention. His hand Is on the helm
and his mind Is dominating all other
minds in the makeup of the platform
and In the preparation of reform legis-
lation for submission to the next legis-
lature. The special committee appoint
ed by Senator Quay in his capacity as
chairman Of the state committee to
prepare drafts of bills in line with the
reform planks Of the last conventions s
platform, submitted an outline of it's
work to the state executive committee
this afternoon. Senator Quay was
present, and for four hours he con-
ferred behind closed doors with the
members Of the committee regarding
will embrace his ideas Of reform in the
public service. Many amendments
were suggested and revised drafts will
be submitted to the state committee at
its meeting tomorrow. These five bills
will provide for a state civil service
commission and strict rules against all
assessments of public employees for po-
litical purposes, the abolition Of abuses
connected with the wholesale purchase
of tax receipts by political committees,
protection of the sffrage by prevent
Ing intimidation of employees by state,
county or city authorities, or by cor
porations or individuals, taking police,
firemen and other public employees out
of active politics; providing heavy
penalties for violations of the several
proposed acts. Some amendments to
the charters of cities Of the second
class are also proposed.
1t is Senator Quay's idea that these
bills shall form the basis for municipal
reform legislation throughout the cOun-
try, Pennsylvania taking the lead In
this res:ect. The measures were dis
cussed in all their phases with a view
to meeting all possible constitutional
and partisan objections in the legisla-
ture If passed. they will usher in great
era Of reform and Senator Quay hopes
that his presidential ambitions Will be
helped along incidentally.
The contest for chairman Of the state
committee goes on with John p. Elkin,
Of Indiana. in the lead: far as to as
sure his election. Frank Willing Leach
Is out in type written statement to-
night in which he attacks the methods
Of those opposed to him and declares
| that he will win without brass bands
and fireworks. He claims to have one
hundred pledges This matter will be
settled in the Republican caucus tomor-
row night. The nominees for congress-
at-large will be Galusha A. Grow and
James A. Beacon, and the eight dele.
gates-at-large to the national conven.
tion are likely to be Governor D. II
Hastings, Frank J. Torrance. Allie
gheny; James Elverson, Philadelphia
James b. Raymond, Blair: ex-Lieuten.
ant Governor Watres, Lackawanna
| Senator s. +. tf. MfrGearreti; bauphin,
s. A. Davenport, Erie and Joseph Bos.
Ter. Montgomery.
The permanent chairman Of the con.
vention will probably be Auditor Gen.
eral Mylin. The Democratic state com.
mittee will meet tomorrow, Robert E
| Wright, Of Allentown, will be reelected
chairman.
April 22-At 1890 this morning it was
given out that 8. A. Davenport, anG
not Beacon. will be nominated for con
gresham large.