The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-08-10

ception of the duties Of the Office
and the rules and principles that
will guide me in its administration, !
should l be elected. !
While standing as nominee OF
political party ! regard the office OF
state treasurer as in no sense a par
tisan one. 1t has no functions that
can properly be made to subserve
party ends. If the performance OF
it's duties is controlled or directed
by considerations Of party or of pol
iticians, it is subversion Of the Of
fee hostile to faithful and honest
administration. The history Of the
state treasurership under machine
Republican control for generation
past gives ample proof Of this as
sertion.
In contemplation of law state
treasurer is but a custodian of the
money of the people, charged with
its honest, safe keeping and dis
bursement according to law. AS
such custodian and disbursing agent,
however, he is vested with discre.
tionary powers Of vast extent and
Importance.
He is more than merely minis
terial officer to receive, hold and
pay out. In keeping the public
= funds their use, while in his charge
is subject to his control; and in pay
e ing out the legality and honesty OF
t draft upon the treasury is subject to
! his scrutiny and Judgment. 1t is
proper to consider how these func-
b, tons of the affice have been dis
: charged in the past under political
!, machine treasurers.
;. The treasurer, in the first place
has been selected at the dictation OF
J. political bosses from the ranks o
IS dependent machine followers. He
e has usually been noted for his triec
1t docility and subserviency. The
l. people have had no voice whateve'
n n in determining his selection.
p Thus singled out for the use o
ly the machine his pliancy and de
;e pendence have been still further as
Il ,b sured by the character Of the mel
ey who became his official bondsmen
$. Politicians and political banker
u, u grow rich by party spoils and tn
T. =. bosses favorites sign the treasurer
We bond and equip him for his pre-
'r- arranged service. His subordina
We We ton and degradation are thus mad
tie complete at the moment of his er
nut trance into office. The rest has 70
se lowed by logical and inevitabl
ID ID sequence.
Of The millions of the people
la- money have been held as the estat
he of the party machine and admins
at. n.. tered at the behest Of the part
in bosses.
he They have been deposited wit
nal political banks and political banke
ieh for private gain.
the They have been loaned out to Il
lily political boss, to the members of h
an an family, to his lieutenants aud to h
iS. ;,s mercenaries and his tools.
ols, They have been handed over f
lost stock jobbing and stock gamb.il
'nr ury to corrupt politicians.
Of Their use has been sold by t
nds same agencies for interest paid
SER treasurers. to other public offcis
in. in and to CONSPICUOUS managers of t
this machine.
be. They have been made to pay a
nual tribute regularly to furnish t
+'I, pin, machine itself with funds to
Plies bauch the elections and elect n
tied chine candidates.
lght They have been in steady a
by systematic corrupt manipulation
the political state treasurers during
that cades of machine rule.
say This is the history of the st;
and and treasurership in Pennsylvania.
opts no respect is it overrated or exa
out, gerated. 1t is known to all mi
49,. 1t has been incontestibly proven
ated By judicial Investigations.
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