Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-07
Mr.. JENKS PUBLIC LIFE

ABLE CAREER = HIS PROMI-
NENCE AND INFLUENCE IN CON-
GRESS-A COURAGEOUS ADVO-
CATE OF RETRENCHMENT
ECONOMY AND HONEST AND
EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION.
THE TRUE FRIEND OF THE SOL
DIER-A BRILLIANT EXECUTIVE
RECORD-THE CONVINCING TRI-
Butte OF A REPUBLICAN Ed
TOR.
The following are the principal poln
contained in a remarkable address. de-
livered at Carlisle, Pa, recently, by
Edwin X. Hart, leading Independent
Republican editor of Philadelphia, after
a careful personal investigation into
the official record of the DemOcra ic
reform candidate for governor. Mr..
Hart said:
THE record of the private, profession
al, public and official life of George y.
jerks shows him to be in every re-
spect the man for the present crisis in
Pennsylvania as the true and reliable
leader in the cause of administrative
reform. After building up a most en-
viable practice at the bar, being rec
ognized as the ablest lawyer in west
ern Pennsylvania, before he had reach
ed middle life, Mr.. jerks entered the
national house of representatives, in
1874, and although he served but sin
gle term, in consequence of the prepon-
derance of opposition party sentiment
in that section of the state, he made a
national reputation which will ever
be a credit to himself and all the people
of Pennsylvania, irrespective of polit-
ical relationships. Instantly recogniz-
ing the character and capabilities of
the man, all the leaders, on both Sides
at once gave him most influential
place in their midst. AS chairman Cf
one of the most important committees,
that having charge of pensions, he eT-
ercised a potent influence in behalf of
invalid soldiers and their helpless de-
pendents. He secured legislation in
their behalf when others could not and
made brilliant address, defending the
rights of pensioners. resenting the spe-
cious idea that their claims were to be
regarded from q standpoint of charity.
He successfully maintained that PEN
sions were right and not a gratuity;
that a pensioners certificate must not
be regarded as a badge Of mendicancy.
In the impeachment trial of General
Belknap, secretary of war, Mr.. jerks,
nf q house made
speeches, which were considered mas
terpieces of law, logic and patriotism,
and which commended him to the ad-
miration of political friends and foes
His denuciation of the crimes commit
ted by this recreant member of Granta
cabinet showed his intense and right
eous hatred of every form of political
iniquity and is applicable to every sort
of evidoers In the political and official
arena today. At no time in his life has
Mr. jerks ever shown the slightest
measure of sympathy with those who
have betrayed their trust, and his cleo
ton to the highest office within the gift
of the people Of this great state would
be at once a sweeping condemnation
of the foes of clean politics and honest
government. a magnificent vindication
and a bedrock of guarantee Of honest,
faithful and efficient administration of
the executive department at Harrisburg
during the next four years.
when the electoral commission was
struggling to keep the country from the
throes of a second civil war Mr.. jerks
was specially appointed to appear be-
fore that high tribunal, and his argu
ments in the cases of Louisiana and
Oregon furnished supplemental proof as
to his intellectual resources, showing
him to be easily the equal of the ablest
men in the nation. These addresses
were utterly devoid of narrow parti-
sanship, but were earnest, honest. dis
passionate appeals for the triumph of
truth and justice, and no one can read
them at this hour without realizing
how intense Is the condemnation of
every form OF political inlquity which
possess the heart and mind of Mr..
jerks. He is the sworn foe of the polit-
ical crook, wherever he may be found;
the courageous upholder of honesty and
fidelity in the performance of public
trust
During his congressional service
this conscientious public servant sought
to promote in every way possible the in
terests of the people, believing, as he
constantly declared. that economy, dill
igence and purity should characterize
the administration of public affairs.
He introduced and pressed a bill for
the reduction OF the salaries of federal
officials, congressman included, and
earnestly opposed every effort to in
crease the salaries of members of the
house and senate. His policy was con-
sistent and courageous throughout, and
had the measures he advocated, some
of the most important of which, like
that looking to the transfer of the pen
sion bureau from the interior to the
war department, he originated, been
adopted, many millions Of dollars would
have been saved to the government.
And as It was then, so It undoubtedly
will be. If he Is honored with the special
trust and confidence of his fellow cit
izens as their chief magistrate.
"Mr. jerks has likewise been tried
and found capable and trustworthy In
executive office. He was appointed an