The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-12-12
Democrats as Reformers


During the political campaign in
this county just closed, resulting in
Democratic victory, there was much
said about reform in the administra-
ton of the aImshouse at Schuylkill
Haven. Chairman Meyer flooded the
county with circulars, with flaming
headlines, detailing alleged eytrava-
-gYs9.ce 10 the county poor district and
pledging Il reform in this respect i'm
the event of Democratic success at
the polls. The same pledge was made
by the party speakers, who laid much
stress upon this phase of the contest
The political complexion of the
Board of Poor Directors, after Janu
airy 1st, will be Democratic, and the
opportunity will thus be presented tc
institute the reforms Chairman Meyer
and his spell-binders pledged the
people would be inaugurated. Will
lam l.. Sheafer, the executive head of
the Taxpayers Association, non
political organization, has addressed
an open letter to the Poor Directors,
giving the annual cost of the poor
district for some years back, and
pointing out wherein, in the estima-
ton of the Association, salaries can
be reduced and useless positions
abolished without impairing the elli
cheney OF the poor house or doing in
Justice to the unfortunate inmates.
The communication of the Tax
payers Association il certainly
worthy of consideration by the re
formers about to assume the position
of Director OF the Poor As we have
previously stated it presents an OPP
portunity for them to correct the use
less expenditure of the dear peoples
money they so loudly proclaimed
during the campaign was allowed
under Republican administration.
However, il will be interesting to see
these Democratic Directors, with blue
pencil in hand, cutting down salaries
and looping Off useless positions, "
al view 't the lh'l tlldl 81 many Ol
their partsaus are clamoring for the
flesh-pots
When the present Republican board
was organized, a little over year ago,
Director WalDorn was the minority
member He rushed into print with
many reform measures. He insisted
that they be adopted, aud when not
accepted by hs colleagues Mr.. Wal
born posed before the people as re-
former without friends The gen
tieman is now a majority member,
and with the assistance of his col
league, Director-elect Horgan. will
have an opportunity TO put into
practice his professed reform ideas,
provided the subject matter has not
slipped his memory Some men are
earnest reformers when they have no
say in the dispen~atiou Of patronage,
and 1t is TO be seen whether or not
Director Walborn was honest in his
professions Of reform one year ago
The Taxpayers Association has
pointed out the way for retrench-
ment at the almshouse in the abolish
ment Of number Of the present APP
pointments, and reduction in the
salaries of others. The Poor Direc-
tors alone can carry out these reform
measures, Cornelius A, Meyer, of
Schuylkill Haven, is candidate for
clerk at the almshouse, and offers to
perform all the duties of the position
alta saving tothe county of from 81
200 to 81 800 per year in salaries. Mr..
Meyer held the position acceptably
under a former administration, and
besides his regular duties looked
after the interests of the taxpayers in
other directions. VIII these reform
Directors appoint him and save the
taxpayers the amount stated
The appointments at the almshouse
will beannounced before January 1st,
and it will then be determined
whether or not the ante-election
promises of reform made by Chair
man Meyer and his Democratic col
h------