Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-06-14

chosen for the express purpose.
take It that when q reform-and
s certainly "a reform touching the
I state tn so vital points de-
-manded by respectable number
OF citizens, it is the plain duty Of
the legislature to ascertain wheth-
er or mot a majority of the whole
people demand it, and, II SO, to put
it in the simplest and speediest
way OF accomplishment. We can
ascertain the will OF the people
onlydby submitting the question to
them afthe polls.
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
"Itthe legislature to be elected
IN November will frame q fair, nom
partisan constitutional convention
bill, like that of 1872, early in the
session and then submit the ques-
tion of convention or no conven-
ton under that act, to be voted
upon at the spring elections, the
whole matter would be put In
course of immediate and proper de-
termination according to the public
will. The delegates would be elect
ed at the spring election or at
special election. This appears to
be not only right, but eminently
just and conservative. There would
be no danger of revolutionary in
novations. The people would de
eide whether or not there should
be convention; they would elect
the members and they would ac-
cept or reject the amended instru-
ment at the polls. The delegates
being elected-should the people
resolve upon convention, prima-
rily to consider election reforms
would proceed to put the reforms
required into the constitution it.
self, and, If any part of the new
machinery should be left to the
legislature, the language would be,
unlike that of pending amend
ments, mandatory, and leave no
room for evasion.
"The difficulty of securing re-
forms in the legislature, where any
discretion is allowed that body, is
we'll known. The variety of inter-
ests represented in that body, and
the existence of two houses, to con-
cur, with the executive in the back
ground, make the passage Of any
given measure, in acceptable shape,
exceedingly problematical.
"The Republican party has suf-
fered more than once from it's ina
bility to promptly execute promis-
ed reforms by legislative action.
A convention being single body
elected for specific purposes and,
naturally embodying the highest
learning and integrity Of the COM
monwealth, would doubtless per-
form promptly and well the duty
devolved upon it.
(Signed) IN. S. QUAY"
REEDER AND COOPER SPEAK.
Not only has Col. Quay taken thi
stand, but influential leaders of tn
organization throughou
he state have come out for the mos
advanced method of accomplishing tn
lesired reforms in connection with tn
ballot. Gen. Frank Reeder, Chairman
If the Republican state committee, ha
that the Republican organ
cation will lead in the movement TO
such changes in existing laws as shal
De deemed desirable, and that through
)ut the commonwealth the active Re
)ublicans will work shoulder to shOul
Ter to fulfill any pledges that may b.
made by the state organization intend
ID to stop abuses at elections. Tn
state chairman holds that the Republi
,an party has always been the cham
,ion of a pure ballot and secret one
md that in a great majority Of tn
election precincts throughout the stat
he intent of the trainers of the pres
mt law is faithfully carried out. H
admits that there has been objection
'ound to the operation of the law II
some of the cities, and says the Repub
ican party can be counted upon t.
meet the demands of the people II
existing evils.
Former State Chairman Thomas v
Cooper, who is a nominee for the leg
stature in Delaware county, and VIII
vas nominated without opposition, al
.hough he is an avowed supporter o
Col. Quay, has gone on record as on
If the leaders of the ballot reform
Among other things h
said, in a recent statement:
"It is a public duty to make 1t NOR
Ind constantly more difficult to violat
he election law. In the evolution o
aw seeking something better, both will
come if our vote can determine tn
natter. 1t can be truthfully said tha
we believe in and act with the part,
We do; we shall. 1t /
only through organization that any
hing worth doing for the people cal
be done. 1t is not always enough
and where masses are con
to be right; we must be in tn
best possible position to aid the right
The best position is within an organ
zation, within the largest and best or
yaniZation. There we can battle TO
he right to some purpose; outside, W
are useless as a rule. There are revo
utionary exceptions. but they are to-
rare for our brief lives. AS part Of tn
great Republican organization we will
strive for better election laws, 70
The amendments proposed, for laws t.
enforce them, and if possible to i'm
prove them. If these can be reache,
we will be thankful for the opportunit.
to favor their application to all ou
spring, special AM
the primaries Of all parties.
ssrrha MupioipaJ ,oa OF, a fs IN CT lv nron