Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-12-07
A HALF A MILLION DOLLAR COR
RUPTION FUND.

That is to be the nucleus of bitter
canvass for the control of the Republic
can organization of the state so that
the contributors to the fund shall be
in position to dictate the nominations
for successors to Quay and Penrose in
the United States senate, and Stone in
the governorship.
With characteristic effrontery this
contest is to be waged in the name Of
reform by men whose hypocrisy is a
subject of scorn among those familiar
with their real character. They have
started out to malign and misrepresent
nearly every man of prominence iden-
titled with the management of the Re-
publican organization who refuses to be
persuaded, cajoled or intimidated into
joining what is known as the insur-
gent Republican outfit in Pennsylva-
MIA politics.
Though similar tactics have been re-
sorted to on many occasions during
the last two or three years never has
there been such a flagrant and reck-
less exhibition as given in this in
stance.
A HALF MILLION OF FDOLLARS!H
What does this mean?
Taking it for granted that Martin
will personally look after Philadelphia
and that Finn will see that the Alle-
gheny machine lines up for real re-
FORM" without drawing upon the gen.
eral funds. there would be the S500,o00
to be divided among the 65 other coun-
ties of the state This would leave
S7,692.31 for each county. should the
fund be equally divided among the
counties. There were 297,961 votes
polled for Colonel Barnett at the re-
cent election. so that if this money is
TO be distributed among the counties
upon the basis of this vote there would
be just enough to give each man who
cast his ballot for ColoneI barnett
exactly $1.66 to Join the insurgents IN
their crusade against regularly nomI-
mated Republican candidates.
1t is not known what bargain count
er methods will be employed in the
campaign-whether the money is to be
paid direct or whether it Is to be dis
tributed among agents designated for
the different counties. The people Will,
no doubt, be curious to know the plans
of the insurgents, so that they may
make inquiry as to the identity OF the
insurgent f1duciary representatives In
their respective counties.
REFORM AT CASH PRICES.
Some embarrassment may come to
the sincere reformers throughout the
state, owing to the fact that with the
knowledge of the existence of this i'm
mense fund to secure the services OF
sham reformers who will work in the
interest Of the insurgent machine. the
people will have difficulty in separat-
ing the genuine reformers from the
fakirs. There will be those who, with
the insurgent treasury jingling in theil
Colonel Quay, Governor Stone, Sena'
tor Penrose and the other stalwart
Republican leaders. at the cross roads
grocery, the postoffice or other con
venient place to beguile the voters into
the belief that the only real thing il
the line of reform is to be had at thu
insurgents bargain counter.
1t Is asserted, and not denied, tha
large portion of this fund is to b'
used to continue the newspaper attack
upon Colonel QUAY and other men il
touch with the Republican organiza
tion. There is already a we'll equipped
news bureau. which sends out to tn
insurgent newspapers a weekly ser
vice of political matter. This is EN-
ployed in denouncing stalwart Republi
can leaders and misrepresenting tn
sentiment of the people as to tho bolt
ers' combine. For the purpose OF influ
encing the voters in the interior Of TIL
state stories manufactured for the bar
gain counter newspapers in Philadel
phia, which contain little else thai
syndicate political news in the inter
est of the insurgents, are sent out t
these country newspapers. When tn
subscribers Of these newspapers lear
Of the half million insurgent campaig
fund 1t is more than likely that the
will begin to figure out what proper
ton of this fund has probably gone t
the editor Of their paper, who ha
shown such a significant and steady In
terest in the movements of the insur
gents and seems to have forgotten tina
his paper was once looked upon as
Republican newspaper. 1t is now find
ing nothing but good in the Democrat
nominees, such as Bryanites Jenkl
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