The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-12-09

tcupt W cNCusc UT JUSTLY party ME
management IN the past. but with
grave fears that yet greater dangers
threaten the municipality. and with the
belief that through a mistaken sense
OF duty many may aid to continue the
system they wish to destroy, that this
league hereby enters its earnest pro-
test and warning against the efforts
OF most dangerous cabal OF disap-
pointed spoilsmen, who. for personal
plunder. aim to fasten itself upon this
city and to barter away her votes TO
perpetuate the power of political
boss.
QUAY'S FAKE REFORMS.
when. in the memorable contest for
state chairman In 1895. Senator Quay,
In his hour OF peril. promulgated his IA
nous reform doctrines, many friends
Of true reform rallied to his support
and changed defeat to victory. Again
In 1896. under the banner of anti-com-
bine pretenses, moral and reform ele-
ments aided to win more victories which
gave to Senator Quay absolute mas
terry over both branches OF the last
Legislature. How this power was abused
Is plainly told in the legislatures record
promises broken. party pledges ignored
and public trust abused. None knew
better than Senator Quay that his man
tie of bogus reform could protect him
no longer, so with characteristic au-
dacity. abandoning all pretcnsc OF re-
form, with no attempt at seCreCy--On
lines for profit and plunder-he formed
the Ward Leaders league, binding its
members by compact to deliver over to
him all state delegates and members
of the legislature from u wards in
Philadelphia To be used by him until
after the date for his reelection to the
United States senate.
The Leaders league has sought to
obtain power by course of intimlda-
tion and terrorism. and, though only
In It's infancy, has to it's credit n list
OF political crimes, attempted and com
mitted. that places it in the front OF
all piratiCal organizations
ITO show their power and utter dis
regard of the public welfare they de-
feated a tried and true servant of the
people for port warden.
They conceived the Infamous Becker
bills intended to destroy the funda-
mental principle of the Bullitt charter,
and to pass them through the legis-
lature, bartered away slS0,0O0 per year
OF Philadelpha's public school money
THE united support OF the men they
controlled in the Legislature passed the
mercantile tax bill, which, as every one
knows was a killing blow at all the
important commercial interests of the
state, and, even more. sought to de-
crease the public school appropriations
81 200. 900 annually
THEY ARE POLITICAL HIGHWAY
MEN.
From the date OF it's organization
until the close of the Legislature the
Leaders league was positive force for
evil. and every nefarious measure and
every iniquitous scheme had the un-
qualified support of Its members. Its
latest vicious performance was to
threaten the mayor Of Philadelphia
with the holding up OF all appropria-
tions In councils, thereby to coerce him
and all in authority in the admnistra-
ton to pay tribute to this band of polit-
ical highwaymen, who do not even
deign to give an excuse for their ex-
istence. save that OF controlling the
spolls Of office for themselves and those
subservient to them.
The Ward Leaders league Is the
Quay organization in Philadelphia. Sem
ator Quay giving TO this combination
OF ward bosses, contractors and politi-
cal heelers the protection OF his great
power in return for state delegates and
members OF the Legislature. And poor
ly does he conceal his hand in the pres
ent contest, though SO cunningly seek
ing to divert the peoples wrath from
his own head by hiding behind a ma
chine OF his own creation, which Is un-
successfully attempting to steal the
livery OF reform. to turn popular
prejudice existing against municipal
faction into a public catastrophe that
will not be discovered until too late.
THE present contest in Philadelphia
for the office of receiver of taxes Is a
struggle for spois between political
factions. the outcome of which. while
yielding no immediate benefits to the
people or the taxpayers, may control
the great battles of 1898 for United
States senator and governor contests
which involve directly the interest OF
every citizen and taxpayer in the COM
monwealth.
SCHEME FOR PLUMBER.
The success Of the ward leaders con-
spiracy, to betray and plunder the city.
means also the perpetuatiOn OF Quay
ism throughout the state. the return Of
quay TO the United States senate and
future Pennsylvania legislatures as cor
rupt as those of the past. Therefore.
let none be deceived by false and
treacherous protestations. but with full
knowledge OF their base purposes, let
the business interests and the friends OF
good government unite and give BATTLE
to common foe. that the Ward Lead
ers' league may become thing OF un-
savory memory only. and u warning
for all time to come to unscrupulous
conspirators.'