The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-05-25
The Plain Issues.

The issues confronting the Republican
voters at this time are so plain that they
cannot be set aside or dIsregarded without
inilicting further and greater injury upon
the entire people Of the State and county.
An organization Of disappointed ace
seekers, assisted by two of the most con-
spicuous city bOsses-Dave Martin anc
'Chris" Magee, of Philadelphia and Pitts
burg respectively-ares seeking to get con-
troll OF the Republican state organization
and to force the nomination OF John
Wanamaker, the millionaire merchant,
and unsuccessful aspirant for the nited
States Senate, for Governor.
Mr.. WanaInaker's campaign is being
conducted by men wLo have been dis
carded by Senator Quay for reasons well
known TO all reading members Of the par
~ and their object Is 50 clear that no one
can mistake their purpose to fasten their
clutches upon the legislative bodies of
the State in order to accomplish their
selfish personal and political ambitions.
Here in Somerset county the issues are
of a more personal and direct char
acte- The HERALD and other county
papers have pointed out from week to
week the perils threatening the taxpayers
if the abuses practiced in certain court
house offices are longer continued. II
has been shown that profigacy has char
acterized the management OF the Com
sioners' Office under the regime Of "com-
bine reformers," who have utterly disre-
garded the interests Of the taxpayers
1t has been shown that orders issued by
the County Commissioners amounting to
thousands of dollars remain unpaid be-
cause the holders are unlawfully de-
manding six per cent interest on them
and refuse To surrender them until the
interest they have been promised has
been paid out OF the county treasury.
II has been shown that valuable coun-
ty furniture has been thrown away by
the custodians Of the public property and
not a penny realized for the same by the
county.
II has been asserted aud not denied that
money paid into the COMMISSIONER
Office has not been turned over to the
1OullN lEcASuEeE.
It has been charged by the County
Auditors that rebates have been granted
upon taxes properly assessed, in viola
tion Of law.
Il IS an established fact that county
contracts involving thousands upon thou
sands OF dollars Of county money, have
been secretly let.
Il has been shown that valuations have
been enormously increased on depte
ciating lands without reason and at =
time when the burden Of local taxation
was never more oppressive upon the
people.
/: is an established fact that taxes win
be higher during the present year than
last year, notwithstanding the pledge OF
certain county commissioners that this
would not be the case.
Il has been alleged. and the allegation
cln be sustained. that one Of the present
county commissioners procured 500 of
county funds on the 18th day Of August,
1897, which was not fully restored TO the
county treasury until the 29th day Of
April, 1895. and that during this period
the county was paying interest on bonds
and other borrowed money.
The above Indictment has been brought
in the name Of the people against MEM
bers Of the combine that is now endeav-
oring to force the nomination Of their po
litical associates and allies for offices TO
be filed at the primary election 10 be
held on the 2Sth inst.
Can they continue to impose upon the
voters of the county, or viii the outraged
taxpayers deal them a brain-clout from
which there can be no recovery2