The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-12-09
PIRATES IN POLITICS.
4 Remarkable Story Of Political
Highway Robbery From
Philadelphia.
THE SAME OLD GANG" AT WORK.

All the business OF Philadelphia City
Government to DO Held Up by
Combination of Poiiticians-Schem
That Tweed Never Thought OF in
His Paimiest Days-Its Influence on
the Gubernatorial and Senatorial
Fights OF Next Year.
;From Our Own Correspondent.)
Harrisburg, Nov. 23.-Some very in
teresting stories reach this city from
Philadelphia. They are important, too.
as bearing upon the next years fight
for governor and United States sena-
tor. They are still more important, as
they unmask the sham reform claims
of men who have been fooling the peo-
pie of the state for their own benefit.
The fight now going on in Philadel-
phia is for receiver of taxes. 1t is one
Of the NEST important offices In the
gift of the municipality. The present
incumbent, William j. Roney, was for
merly chief clerk in the office and
reached his present position through
long years Of faithful service. Mr..
Roney is veteran of the late war, and
served with distinction, being compli-
mented in orders for bravery in dction
at Antietam.
During the last session of the legis-
lature an organization of certain ward
leaders Of Philadelphia was perfected,
after four Of their number had paid
visit to Senator Quay in Florida and
received his benediction on the scheme.
1t was subsequently declared that the
organization was banded together to
secure more political plunder than here
tofore had been obtained 1t was stated
that they would serve Senator Quay
If il was to their interest to do So If
not, they would turn in and support
the anti-Quay element. or anybody else
that would pay the price. In other
words the Ward Leaders league, of
Philadelphia, officially declared itself to
be combination OF political bandits
leagued together for purpose of per-
sonal gain.
READY FOR ANY DEAL.
During the present year this outfit of
Swiss soldiers have been open for
propositions from anybody that had use
for them, but nobody seemed to have
required their services except Senator
Quay and his friends. When the fight
for the receivership of taxes was open
ed this league appointed committee
to wait upon Secretary David Martin
and informed him that they were ready
to make a combination and had come to
talk the matter over with him. Their
proposition was that they would sup
port his candidate, Mr.. Roney, for re-
ceiyer Of taxes, IL in return David Mar
tin would agree to- support one of their
number. a local leader in Philadelphia.
named McNichol for chairman, Of sthe
city Republican committee.
There were various reasons why it
would be impossible to put McNichol
at the head of the great Republican or
ganization in Philadelphia, one of the
principal reasons being that the or
ganiZation would not be safe in his
hands, as he is a self confessed politi-
cal trader. Another reason was that
McNichol is a large contractor. and
occupying such responsible position
as chairman there would be Demo-
cratic sneers and perhaps scandals con-
Meeting his politics with his business.
MARTIN STOOD FOR THE PARTY.
Having all this in view, for the well
fare Of the party Mr.. Martin declined
TO make any arrangement Of the kind,
and refused to help elect McNichol to
the Chairmanship. That Mr.. Martin
had the welfare of the party solely at
heart in this matter Is shown in this,
that he might have, by agreeing to go
into a combination for the election of
McNiChol, saved all the trouble and
expense and worry of the campaign
that ne is making for the reelection of
William J. Roney. a word from him
would have settled the matter. and
there would have been no fight in Phil
adclpha.
As a result of their failure to make
IL deal with Secretary Martin this league
nominated candidate of their own in
opposition to Mr.. Roney. They selected
Il young lawyer without experience or
prominence or other qualification named
hewitt to oppose the veteran soldier,
Roncy. They started the cry of re
FORM" and clamorcd through their or
gan for purity in politics." They did
not dare to raise any cry against Mr..
Martin or his candidate or any of his
friends. personally, for number OF
the members of this league were coun-
cilmen who had voted for the propo-
sition to turn the city gas works over
20 private corporation.
While casting around for support
they discovered that they were power
less unless they could force Mayor
Warwick and the city government to
help them out. Senator Penrose and
State Senators Durham and Thomas
had volunteered to help them. but as
these gentlemen only control a few
wards between them their help did not
count for much The meetings OF this
league are held with closed doors at
various hotels around Philadelphia.
livery member Of this gang" is sworn
10 secrecy. hut somehow or other their
dark lantern and bludgeon methods al
ways slip out.
TO HOLD UP THE CITY.
meeting Of the league was held at
hotel on last Wednesday night to
discuss ways and means for forcing
Mayor Warwick to help them in their
fight. 1t was agreed to hold up" the
various appropriation bills setting aside
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