The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-09-02

the people. Mr. Coray charged, and
1t was not denied, that the United |
States Senator had sent men from up |
the State with orders that they be |
given place on the salary list Of the |
Legislature. On of these "employees"
was an alleged detective from Mr..
Coray's own district, who admitted to
the Luzerne member that he had been
placed on the roll by such direction.
AT length those irregularities reach
ed a point where it became necessary
that definite steps be taken to see
that the individuals on the special
payroll received their pay for which
they had been clanioring. Most of
these men had nothing, and were liv-
ing on borrowed money or those who
did not put in an appearance at Har-
risburg to make pretense Of work
were growing clamorous for the
amounts that had been promised
them. The State Treasurer was APP
pealed to, but he refused to pay out
| tbC lhOuCy.
1t having been the custom in the
past for the State Treasurer to ad-
vance money during the session to
members and employees, an appeal
on behalf of these men was made to
State Treasurer Haywood. Mr..
Haywood did not feel justified in ad-
vancing money, and informed the
party leaders to that effect. A re-
quest was then made to the governor.
In this, it is alleged, those interested
enlisted the services of Senators Quay
and Penrose, in the hope that their
personal influence would lead the Ex-
ecutive to pledge himself not to veto
the item in the general appropriation
bill in which this list was concealed.
Governor Hastings, not only declined
to make pledge, but announced his
determination to veto any such item.
State Treasurer Haywood was again
appealed to and he again declined to
advance the money. A point had
now been reached where the benefi-
ciares of the party leaders had to be
cared for, and then it was that the
extraordinary proposition was made
to indemnify the State Treasurer
against any loss which he might sus-
tain by the Governors continued re-
fusal to allow the payment of other
than lawful salaries.
After submitting the question to
the judgment of friends the State
Treasurer finally agreed to accept a
bond signed by party leaders, officials
and others most interested In the
Transaction. On tine night that this
decision of Mr.. Haywood was an
nounced, six weeks prior to the close
of the Legislature, a meeting was held
: at the residence of Speaker Boyer.
: Among those present all partlclpa-
5 ting IN the discussion we're General
t Frank Reeder, Secretary Of the Com
: monwealth Deputy Alto -ney Gener-
t al Tohn P. Elkin, chairman OF the
State Republican Committee Sena-
S tors Quay and Penrose, Speaker
Boyer and several other party leaders
After a discussion of the situation it
: was decided to prepare a bond i'll,
Identifying State Treasurer Haywood
against loss IN the event OF the
S Governors refusal to yield to impor-
n tunities and insistence on veto o1
j. the item for salaries in the general ap-
t preparation bill, or any part of it.
e The bond so prepared was signee
! that night and turned over to Mr.
n Haywood. Not all of the gentlemen
i however, attached their signatures tt
: the document. The bond was to-
!. $4,000 and was of such characte
Q that the State Treasurer could hol(
e each signer individually responsible
(. Thus protected, the desired cash wa
e advanced"
J. Then the Governor vetoed tina
portion of the appropriation bill cover
e ing an enormous increase OF salaries
n and the men who signed the bon'
|. will have to pay back into the treas
d ury the money paid out to politlca
y heelers for work which they never per
of formed.
r In the face of this dis :losure, cou
d pied with the numerous charges o
It corruption and fraud me!e by repub
,r licans against republical in the las
n session of the Legislature, how ionI
N will the people of Pennsylvania con
Of tinue to keep in power by large ma
a, jorities, party with such leaders, AM
r with such a record