The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-10-28
TO THE PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA

The paramount issue of the cam
paign of 1897 in this state is honest
government. All else is extraneous
and for the moment unlmportant
The lines are rigidly drawn, the citi-
zens deeply concerned for their mater.
ial welfare as affected by tax imposi-
tions and for the fair fame of their
s.Ate, being on the one side, and
machine domination in the Republi-
can party on the other.
The prohigacies and steals consum-
mated under this rule, through obedi.
ent legislatures and subservient ex-
ecutive officials, nominated and elect
ed by machine d citation, have tor
years been a shame and disgrace to
the state. During the last four years
they have been more than disgraceful,
and good citizens of all parties have
joined in indignant outcry against the
audaclous and criminal spoliation.
The Legislature, which recently ad-
journed, by its extravagant and unlaw.
ful appropriations, and by its abject
cooperation in every possible manner
with machine officials IN the several
departments, carried the debauchery
to an extent that nothing can explain
unless it be that there is no limit to
the tolerating spirit of our long-suffer-
ing people. And, when men in high
stations were found conniving with
the state treasurer for the payment
from the state treasury of many thou
sands of dollars of the public moneys
to machine heelers appointed to sine
cure places created for them in plain
defiance of the law, even the reputa-
bic Republican journals joined in the |
protest, although this protest grows
feeble as the election grows near, the |
advantages of partisan triumph out
weighing the benefits of good govern |
ment.
If all those who have expressed
themselves as dissatisfied with this
defiance of the law, this rob.
berry of the taxpayers, this subordina-
ton of the powers of state govern
ment to the selfish and wicked aims
of the machine leaders, this shameless
and ruinous peculation and proflgacy.
mean what they say, they will unite
in this fight to drive the machine from
power.
Will they do it ? An excellent op.
portunlty for the accomplishment of
that desired end is now afforded The
Democratic candidates tor state treas.
urer and auditor gener al are good
men and true, who have been much
before the public for years past, have
carried and honorably discharged the
responsibilities of numerous official
places and have emerged from that
t'ial and experience without smirch
upon their records. They owe alleyi.
ance to no boss. They did not seek
the positions they occupy. They
were nominated solely because Of
their known ability and integrity
and are IN the field as candidates en-
tire!y from sense Of duty to their
party and the people. BY the party
platform and in their own words they
both stand solemnly pledged to labor
increasingly, if elected, to expose
every fraud that can be unearthed
bring to justice every defaulter that
can be tracked, and institute such re-
.orms in the management of the treas
lry as viii insure fair dealing with the
taxpayers. The voter who desires
honest government will make no mis-
lake by casting his ballot for these
gentlemen, but will seriously err by
living 1t IN any other way.