Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-09-03
HARRISBURG LETTER.
How Treasurer Haywood Was Se-
cured From Possible Loss.
rHB HARMONIOUS CONVENTION.

THB HARMONIOUS CONVENTION,
The Only DisnproeableI Resolution wua
Killed in Conmittee-The Junketers
May Be sned-ro Enforce the Cheese
Law '-Pennsyivania's Wheat crop.
Especial Correspondence)
Harriaburg Aug. sl.-Somewhat OF a
sensation was created by the publica-
tlOn IN several leading newspapers Of
the state of "a story to the effect that
Secretary Of the Commonwealth Reed
er Deputy Attorney General I1lkin.
Senators Quay and Penrose, and others
equally well known had signed a bond
for t20.000 20 indemnify State Treas
urer Haywood for advancing money on
account Of salaries TO certain employees
Of the legislature. This fact had been
known for several months bat was
not regarded here as anything unusual
Owing to the embarrassment that was
caused the state treasurer two years
ago by the adverse action OF the gov
ernor on the appropriation TO pay the
expenses OF the Heller Laubach cleo
tion contest the treasurer this year
I
money. Secretary of the Common
wealth Reeder and others on the bond
DO not make any secret OF the fact
that such bond is in existence They
regard 1t as a private transaction with
which the public has nothing 20 do, in
esmuch az the bond was suggested
merely as a protection for the state
treasurer IN the event of any vetoing
Of salary bills. 1t appears that the
bond was the outcome of a conference
Of Republican party leaders in this
city before the close of the last ses-
sion Of the legislature There has been
some gossip about the governor re-
questng the designations of several
state officials involved In the matter,
who were appointed by him, but there
is not believed to be any ground for
such stories Governor Hastings and
the other state officials seem to be on
the best possible terms.
The Harmonious Convention.
The chief feature of the Republican
state convention was the all pervading
harmony which characterized the pro-
ceedings. In the convention hall there
was not the slightest disturbance the
encounters between representatives. OF
the Philadelphia factions of the party
taking place at the meeting of the state
committee and at the session of the
committee on credentials. United
States Senator Penrose made an at
tack upon the methods of David Martin
and Frank Willing Leach. which they
resented In red hot speeches 1t was
all about rival delegations from one OF
the districts In Philadelphia, and the
| leaders were unable TO keep down the
pugnacious tendencies of the two fac
tions In the end one of the factions
abandoned it's claims and went home.
The convention had little trouble
in observing the program mapped out
| by the leaders John i. Elkin the
chairman Of the state committee, was
made temporary chairman of the con-
vention, in order that he might in his
speech. outline the issues Of the cam
paign and explain the efforts Of the
party managers to make good the
pledges of two years regarding reform
measures. He told how he labored
with the lawmakers, and how difficult
II was to make any headway in the
consideration Of eivil service reform.
lie declared that the party as repre-
sented In the legislature was clearly
against civil service reform as inter
preted by President Cleveland He had
found the sentiment so overwhelmingly
against the bill that the party leaders
were almost compelled to abandon it.
1t was defeated by large vote. Chair
man Eikin referred 10 the successful
legislation along reform lines, and
hoped for better things in the future.
] 10 aNa h..
TO the businesslile administration Of
the fiscal affairs OF the commonwealth,
and gave some statistics to show that,
Notwithstanding the millions Of dol
lars handled by the state treasurer,
there had been no loss to the state The
platform adopted does not ceasure the
legislature, but thanks It for what it
did In the way Of reform legislation,
and commends 1t for some enactments
/ favorable to the laboring classes. The
administration OF Governor Hastings
was endorsed. and he was praised for
his fidelity to the interests Of the peo-
pie. Major Levi G.. MeCauley had no
opposition for the nomination for au-
ditor general. and James s. Beacon
was easily nominated for state treas
urer.
DisaGreeable Resolution Killed.
There was little breeze In the con-
ention when William Shortlidge, OF
'entrs county, offered a resolution un-
quivocally endorsing the action of the
governor In vetoinR the Becker bill,
he mercantile tax and Simon bills and
the appropriations for legislative in
gestigating committees. and condemn
ing the legislature for passing "these
dishonest measures aud for ignoring or
making farce Of the various reform
measures urged and promised by the
last two state conventions" This reso-
Iutlon was sent to the committee on
resolutions without much ceremony.
and was not heard from thereafter.
There was considerable interest shown
by those who attended the convention
IN the various gubernatorial booms
which Jostled each other at the I,ochiel
hotel, which was the Republican mead
quarters. Among those who were here
to confer with the delegates and get
an inkling OF the sentiment in the dif
ierent parts Of the state regarding the
successor Of Governor Hastings we're
Congressman Charles w stone OF War
rem, William A. Stone OF Allegheny.
William Conneli OF Scranton and Peter
A. j. Widener OF PHILADELPHIA. As II
looks now the contest next year win
be one Of the most exciting that the
state has ever seen. SO many elements
promise 10 enter into the fght that II
Is difficult matter now 70 foreshadov,
the result The usual reports will be
sent out about this or that leader IA
a. aIm