The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-12-07
CURRENT COMMENT.
Notes and Comments. Political and
Otherwise, on Matters of Interest.

Notes and Comments. Political and
Otherwise. on Matters sofInterest.
(By Andrew j. Palm)
The Johnstown Democrat says Wan |
amaker runs two big department stores. |
the Bethany Sunday school, the 9hila-
delphia North American, and, with one |
or two more hitshes on his trousers, |
he'll be running Quay out Of Pennsyl-
vania politics.
Mckinley processes to be satisfied
with the result of the recent election
in Ohio as an endorsement of his i'm
perialism. How much greater reason
has Mr.. Bryan to feel proud Of the en-
dorsement given him by his own state?
The majority against Mr.. Mckinley, as
shown by the combined vote Of Nc
Lean and Jones. is 10000. while Mr..
Bryan was endorsed by clear major
ity Of $4,000 in his state of Nebraska.
One Of the surprises Of the recent
election was the result in Potter coun-
ty. Though it has been considered a
safe Republican county the Democratic
ticket was elected by majorities rang
ing from 600 to 1,400. With Potter
Democratic a member Of congress
should be gained in that district, and a
Democrat elected to the legislature In
Mr.. Crittenden's place. Especial care
should be taken to select strong candi-
dates-men of conceded ability and
unauestioned integrity.
The prosperity Of which we hear so
much from our Republican exchanges
Is confined mostly to these who needed
II least. Manufacturers and trusts are
getting the lions share. The price OF
nails affords a good illustration of the
whole case. In 1898 the price of nails
was $1.50 per keg; now they are selling
at $4.35, or an increase in cost to the
consumer of 100 per cent, while the in
crease in wages is but 10 per cent. The
manufacturer had profit at the price
of nails in '9S, and it is evident that
the trust has an enormous profit now.
Fully 80 per cent of the increased cost
on most articles is clear profit to some
! body else than the man who does the
work to produce them.
The Philadelphia North American is
doing the state excellent service by eX-
posing rascality and crime against
good citizenship and against the very
foundation principles of a republican
form of government Every time The
North Americans ak has fallen thus
far some bad Republican has got it
in the neck and it deserves all the
more credit for waging battle against
wrongdoers who claim allegiance to
it's own party. If The North American S
club in its descent shall strike some
rascally Democrat the party is ready
to say well done hit him again"
The North Americans bold stroke in
forcing Josiah Adams off the ticket,
and its diligence in running down ballot
box stuirers. as well as it's general fear
lessness, make it paper to be feared
by those whose deeds are evil and re-
spected by those who obey their coun-
try's laws.
The voting machine at the recent elec-
tion in Buffalo worked to the satisfaction
of everybody. 1t was absolutely cor
rect, no man could work 1t for more
than one vote at time. and the result
was known all over the city within
an hour after the polls closed. The
Philadelphia machine was not so gen
orally satisfactory, though it did work
that pleased it's advocates. 1t dumped
200 ballots into one ballot box to start
with, in order not to be obliged to have
so many to put in later in the day The
result is. the honest citizens of the
state are disguised, some of the perpe
traitors of the fraud are staring a
penitentiary doors, while the instiga
tors of the crime are quaking in theil
shoes, fearing that the real criminals
may be discovered before the end o
the hunt. Governor Stone stands "a
sponsor for the Philadelphia machine
and absolutely refused to allow thu
,, people of the state relief when they
through their representatives, asked
for chance to vote on constitutions
: amendment to prevent ballot box stuf
,, fing in the large cities.
I, , The Democrats of the state are pret
= ty we'll out of patience with the so
called Democratic organization of Phil
, adelphia. About the only time tn
Philadelphia leaders show any activit
is at state conventions; but unless the
make more of q showing hereafter to
ward repressng ballot box stuf'ing an
: general political crookedness instea
a of seeming to wink at 1t, they Will no
a be permitted to have so much to say L
conventions. All reasonable allowanc
y should be made for the political sin
with which they are charged, but c
q which they may be innocent, but whe
: it goes without contradiction that pre-
= cinct after precinct in Philadelphi
a holds election after election without
single qualified officer on the electio
q board, and that, too. without a protes
i from anybody, there is something j
q Denmark that stinks, Philadelphi
h Democrats are not expected to po
votes they do not have, but they ca
- make such protest against open an
- fragrant election frauds as will mak
- Ben Franklin's statue on city ha
- smile an approval.
FIND OUT YOURSELF.