The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-19

cratic society Oh BennSylNanld was HeIu
at state Democratic headquarters this
afternoon at which it was decided to
hold the annual club convention at
Wilkes-B Barre Oct. Is. Ex-Lieutenant
Governor Chauncey F. Black, of York,
who has been president of the society
since it's organization, announced that
he would not accept a reelection on
account of ill health. Major John D..
Worman, of Philadelphia, secretary of
the society, stated also that he would
not be a candidate for reelection. The
meeting was attended by George A.
jerks, the nominee for governor; state
Chairman Garman and other active
party leaders. The following address
has been prepared by the executive
committee:
We, the undersigned executive COM
mittee of the Democratic society of Penn
sylvania, invite the serious attention Cf
the people of our state to the political
conditions, which confront us and to the
all important matters at stake in the ap-
preaching general election.
1t is charged on the one side and con-
fessed on the other, that every branch of
our state government is corrupt and cor
rupting. The taxpayers and business IN
terests tremble at the assembling of the
legislature. They know not what new
shame or fresh burden 1t will lay upon
them, or what assault upon the rights of
the people or of the uncipalitics will be
introduced to be bought Off or engineered
to final passage, to serve the purposes Of
predatory politicians. The executive IS
little or no better. That here and there q
veto has temporarily suspended an OBJ
noXious measure until terms can be made
among disputing cCnspirators touching
ltGt ttsfta
only a fortunate accident in politics.
Nothing in the recent history of the eX-
ecutve branch affords any reason to sup
pose that it has been inspired by a high
purpose to enforce in spirit and in letter
the wise prCvisiC ms of our sound consti-
tuition, to check the aggressions of al-
lied corporations and political machines
to guard and promote wholesome compc-
ttion in bI Stress to shield the taxpayers
from corrupt raids and oppressive impo-
sitionc, or otherwise to stand immovably
for the prii cipies of human liberty, ac-
cording to the solemn tenor of that oatn
which each governor is required to take
before entering upon the duties of his
great office.
CONDITION NOT NEW.
This condition of affairs is not new. 1t
has subsisted since the time when the
memory of mt st men runneth not to the
but IL appears 10 De worse
now than heretofore. Long impunity has
emboldened aggre ssion. Corrupt and
scandalous transactions, which IA quar-
ter of a century were concealed or denied
are today confessed and defended on the
ground that unquestioned usage in the
past renders them legitimate ill., the pres
ent or at least releN es them of porti IN
OF the blackness of their inherent suit,
No one concerned in them, nowadays,
n II at l.
ances of millions of the taxpayers money
are carried in the several funds of the
treasury for the premoniary benefit OF
anybody but the commonwealth. Appro-
priations of the GraNest Importance re-
main unpaid until it suits the convent
ence of the custodans of these funds 10
let them go to their proper legal objects
The charities of state suffer, the schools
are compelled to borrow money at high
rates, while their own money is serving
some other purpose. We cannot pursue
the details of these and public like GRIM
inals further at this time. Newspapers
have spread them widely. All we'll in
formed citizens know the facts and under
stands them. The political organza tion
which is brought to judgment in these
premises simply says in effect we repre-
sent hide bound partisan majority.
What, therefore, are you going to dc
about it?
We have much reason to fear that thail
confidence is only too well grounded. Re
publican voters have borne and fore.
norre so long and so much that it is diff.
iicult to foretell when, If ever, they will
turn To rend the oppressor and to enc
the shame of their PARTY and of theil
state. That a very large proportion OF
the Republican people of the state are
scandaized. humiliated and alarmed by
the eXcasses committed in the name and
AE,EA h.. IL
party is bt yCnd question. But is the con.
fidence Of the guilty leaders in their un,
reasoning partisanshir well founded oil
Ill?
NO RELIEF AT HAND.
If the latter, no relief is at hand. Ap
peals to their self-respect and patriotism
10 their love of state and even to theil
manifest selt-ir terest will be unavailing
We prefer, how ever, to believe that al
Sood citizens of whatever party are rea dy
to Join with us, ignoring purely partisan
questions in one great fra ternal effor
for the redemption of the state, the pug
ing of its government, legislative and eX
ecutive and a con plete reformation Z"
official and public morals. Our conven
tion, representing the great minority
party of the commonwealth, drew the is
sues clearly and definitely. No intelli
gent person can mistake them. Thos'
who pretend 10 see in this canvass an,
other real issues than those state issue
presented by the Altoona convention d.
not wish to see Alright. II any disturbi1;
eXtraneous question shall be brough
into this campaign, the evil consequence
will not be Objectionable to the Demo
cratic party with its half million enlight
ened voters who need only the co-opera
ton of a fraction of their fellow citizens
ordinarily otherwise politically classified
in order to effect the radical change II
state government which all OF us profes
to desire, and most of us do desire, abov
all things, The executive is within cas-,
reach of reform, II those who are bes
known as reformers, shall show by thei
acts that they want reform, and so ais
promote ard encourage an honest uuiol
of the better citizenship everywhere for
pure and safe legislature. No true man
actually seeking genuine and vital re
forms, can find a decent excuse for stand
ing aloof. We, the Democratic party
alone, by reason Of our numbers, can hop
for success against the public enemy $
long eHtrenched in power. We presen
the very issues and those only which al
reformers profess to wish We go furthe
still In this direction than any of tn
groups of citizens who have organized os
tensibly to put the commonwealth in hon
est and faithful hands. We Join them Il
their general arraignment and one III
every separate count In the indictmen,
but, unlike them, we don not complicau
the momentous state issues, that is I
say, the reforms proposed TO be obtained
by any extraneous question whatever
We do also what none OF them have ye
done; we demand the reform comprehend
Ing all reforms, on honest election law,
clean registry, pure ballot and a fsi
count. Without this the offices ma
change hands but there can be no perra
nent reform in any department of tn
government
II must be obvious to reasonable me