Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-05-05
OprrIrApN Nnrrc
More Wananaker Revelations
(From Our Own Correspondent

More Wananaker Revelations
From Our Own Correspondent)
Harrisburg. May 3.-Despite the
noise OF battle and the Spanish war,
that other war, the battle for pure poll
tics and freedom from boss rule that
is being waged by ex-Postmaster Cen
eral John Wanamaher goes steadily on.
Mr.. Wanamaker's unflinching purpose
to drive the rascals out of power in
Pennsylvania is as firm as ever.
And yet on the other hand, Mr.. Wan
amaker has not given up his project of
organizing and equipping a regiment
for the Spanish war. 1t is likely that
this week will see the first step in that
direction. The wonderful patriotism OF
this man Is shown in more ways than
one. Every campaign speech that he
makes has for its introduction a splen-
did ten minutes talk on the Spanish
war. And there is no let up in the vast
crowds that go to hear Mr.. Wanna
maker. He is received everywhere
with the warmest appreciation and
every night he assails the Quay ma
chine and the bosses from a new stand
point. On Thursday night last he
spoke to 1000 people in West Chester,
despite the fact that there was a driv-
ing rain storm outside and that the
public heart of West Chester was
largely with its soldier boys who left
that day for Mt. Gretna. In his speech
that night Mr.. Wanamaker said:
The chief object my friends had in
inviting me to speak to you this even
ing was to discuss with you subjects
more particularly connected with the
state government of Pennsylvania.
Within our own borders there are not
a few waging another war-not for
spoils.
Pennsylvania has fallen from her
old time greatness.
The story is a long one--40 years
long. 1t is the work of a triumvirate
father, son and pupil. The conspira-
tors entail their hard conditions upon
the state, and these conditions grow
heavier and threaten to overpower the
people for the sake of politicians and
corporations.
Outright frauds in elections, open
bribery of legislators, outrageous
transactions with the taxpayers
money on pay rolls, overcharges by
public servants and contractors are
not only common scandal, but uncom-
mon loss to our badiy-governed and
over-taxed people.
The recent revelations to the public
of vast sums of the public money ex-
posed to loss in the Chestnut Street
bank after common warning and the
tragedy that drew aside the curtains
of the Peoples bank supposed to con-
tain over half million dollars of tax
paid money until the curtains We're
quickly drawn back again by it's presi-
dent, who pitifully pays for the silence
held to be a part of the program of
Pennsylvania politicians, are not new
to you.
In November 1851, when the war was
hardly under way and gross frauds
were unearthed in the war department.
Senator Grimes wrote to Senator F'es-
senden: I'VE are going to destruction
as fast as imbecility, corruption and
the wheels of time can carry US.
Charges were made against the Secre-
tary of War (then Senator Cameron)
and he was relcgated to Russia.
Whether he profited personally by the
stealings Is unknown to me. Certainly
Lincoln did not think so but of this /
know and speak deliberately, without
malice or prejudice, that since 1861 the
wheels of Pennsylvania's government
have rolled backward, and the Cam
erons and the Quays have been re-
sponsible therefor. Whether done by
them in person or through Andrews
and other well-I aid servants, they are
equally respons be.
How they have benefited person
ally is no secret TO not a few who
know the workings Of the state treas
ury, through the uncoverins of tho
Peoples bank methods and practices.
IT is hard to determine where to begin
and harder still to know where to stop
in the long. pitiful story OF the states
disgrace and losses through the boss
system now engrafted almost pcrma-
nently upon our great state.
PATRIOTISM OF QUAY TYPE.
Senator Quay's patriotism is Of the
kind that does not reach above self.
Everything in Pennsylvania is sub
JCct TO his political rule, and during the
present crisis from first to last he has
preyed like vulture on the patriot
ism Of the people and of his party for
his own political and private ends.
In this hour when the young men Of
our state and land are marching for
humanity and freedom ii should be
known over the length and breadth Of
this state that Senator Quay has not
scruplcd to play the traitor 10 patriot
ism. / charge, on what is the best tes-
timOny that can be obtainable, that
Senator QUAY was member OF Il
senatorial combine to defeat the wishes
OF President Mckinley. That the meet
ings OF this combine to assist the
Democrats and Populists were for the
most part held IN Senator Quay's room
In the Capitol. that all the time Re was
In league with this combination he
was protesting to his friends. and those
whom he wished to deceive, that he
was not In sympathy with the move
ment and wanted IL beaten. but that
the sentiment Of Pennsylvania demand
ed that he oppose the president.
Moreover, as still further showing his
deception and political trickery he
was at the same time, while making
these prOtestatiOns, sending kilograms
to his ward heelers and political work
ers In Philadelphia urging them to
telegraph their congressman TO sup
port hlm-Quay-in his warfare
against the president.
Can you conceive Of more shame
ful or perildlOuS piece OF trcachery to
the president of the United States
I'm this hour Of peril2 But there Is one
other charge antedatinG this one
which amounts almost TO treason.
I've the facts as they were publicly
cportcd at the time Of their occurrence.
You all know with what speed and
haste the government was compelled
to purchase guns and hurry along
plans for strengthening our navy and
coast defenses.
charge and my authority Is q
leading and reputable newspaper. that
Senator Quay was prepared to, and
did do. all that lay in his power TO de-
lay the passage Of the naval approprla-
ton bill; holding back Legislative ac-
tion that was designed TO strengthen
this country against the assaults OF
foreign foes. And for what purpose?
That he might revenge himself on the
senate and house Of representatives
for their failure to pay the price de-
manded for armor plate by some OF the