The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-26

Quays leadership, and we believe in his political
and personal integrity great wrong has been
done him which the people will right at the
proper time. and, therefore, urge and insist
that the Hon. Matthew Stanley Quay shall be
candidate for reelection to the United States
Senate, in which he has so long served the people
with such distinguished ability and fidelity. And
to this end we pledge him our hearty and cordial
support.
We commend the Hon. Boics Penrosc for his
earnest insistence upon the right of Pennsylvania
ia have full representation in the United States
Serate We still adhere to the doctrine tLtt each
State is emitted to two representatives m the
upper branch Of our National Congress. either by
election or appointment and we. therefore, com
mend the efforts of senator Penrose in insisting
upon the Senate seating the Hon. Matthew stan
ley Quay his credentials Of appointment re
cciyed from the Governor. We also commend tue
senator for the tirclcss diligence and ability with
which he looks after the many and varied IN
tcrosts OF his constituents.
The Republican party OF Pennsylvania has al
ways stood for an honest ballot and a fair comT.
In the furtherance Of this idea act was passed
IN 1871, known the Baker ballot law, Tor the
purpose OF protecting the citizen in the exercise
Of the elective franchise.
This act passed by a Republican Legislature
al the instance Of the Ballot Reform Association.
and was intended to secure secret and honest
ballot Further safeguards thrown arouiu
the ballot law by the supplemental act OF lsaG.
In addition, however, to these laws we fJvor such
legislation as will enable the courts 10 open the
bdtlut boxes upon Inc petition OF CltlZeN-. u1tA
presented. in all cases where complaint is properly
made. alleging fraud in the holding of an cleo
tion the counting of the vote cast. so that. II
fraudulent ballots are placed in the boxes, or A
false count has been made, it can be exposed by
the courts with expedition and all offenders
against the purity Of the ballot detected and
brought 10 speedy justice.
We believe. in the fundamental principle OF
government that the win OF the majority, prop
ery ascertained shall always prevail. We de-
clare that this principle applies as well to polti-
cal parties 10 other governmental affairs. The
Will OF the majority must always be ascertained
under the rules. customs and u,ages of party
organization. Therefore, the primary elections,
the county, and State conventions. the senatorial
and Congressional conferences and the party
caucus have come to lie an integral part OF the
machinery OF party organization for the purpose
OF ascertaining the will Of the majority OF those
who have a right to participate therein. We de
clare it to be the test Of the party fealty TO OBJ
serve these rules and customs in asceriaining the
will of the majority by attending the party con
vcntion, conferences, or caucus, and when the
will of the majority has been so ascertaned, it
is the duty OF every person. who claims to be a
Republican. to abide by that decision.
We commend the business-like administration
of the accounting officers Of the Commonwealth.
Auditor General Levi G.. McCauley and State
Treasurer james s Beacon have been vigorous
in the performance OF all their public duties, es-
pecially in the matter of the collection of de
linquent taxes against corporations and Others.
We demand that this policy be continued until
all taxes are promptly paid and all deinquents
shall have paid their arTearageS in full The re-
firing State Treasurer, Hon. James 5. Beacon,
into office at time when the State treasury
depleted, but has managed the fiscal al
fairs Of the Commonwealth as to have generally
merited and received the commendation of all
fair rminded people. Warrants have been promptly
paid when presented, and there is at present no
outstanding floating debt and the credit Of the
Commonwealth is a matter for public congrGtr-
lation and pride. This very cTeditable record
the best testimonial of the efficiency of the
ffrrna STafp 1rpasg and ppaTS wit m
prOyal OF the people who elected linn TO office.
We declare against all unlawful and Illegal
combinations of capital TO the detriment OF busi-
ness and trade and against the best interests OF
the laboring people. We also favor the enact
ment of such Immigration laws will protect
the American latorer from the unfair competition
of the cheap and pauper labor of Europe.
Senator Finn Objects.
When Senator Penrose had finished the
reading Senator William Finn, of Pitts
burg,the most active leader of the insurgent
element of the party got the floor and told
the convention that he could not subscribe
to several of the planks. especially those
commencing Mr.. Quay and urging him to
be a candidate for reelection. He said
the people of his district were not only
opposed to Quay on general principles, but
III regular convention had Instructed their
Representatives not to vote for him in eau
Gus OF convention WHERE else.
There was a noisy demonstration against
Finn. but Henry w Oliver, of Pittsburg,
the presiding officer, gave the delegates to
understand that every man entitled TO the
floor should have fair play.
Senator Penrose referred TO the Pitts
burgers remarks as somewhat anarchistic
and then asked him whether as a delegate
in the convention he proposed to stand by
its action in the matter OF majority rule.
Finn wheeled about in the aisle. and
shaking his finger at Penrose. retorted that
il came with bad grace from the Philadel-
phian to ask such a question. Finn said
he was living witness to the fact that
within two or three years Penrose and his
friends in Philadelphia deliberately knitted
the regular candidates OF the Republican
party for sheriff and assisted in the cleo
tion OF bolter, This ended the discussion
and the convention proceeded to ballot
on Flinns motion TO strike from the plat
form all reference to Quay. 1t was de-
feated by 50 for to 2S0 against. On a re-
capitulation of the vote it was shown that
seventy-six votes had been cast for Fiinn's
amendment.
Senator E. B. Hardenbergh. of Wayne,
was nominated for Auditor General, and
Robert II. Foerderer, of Philadelphia, for
at large. Theodore l..
Flood had 60 and W {. Arnold 40. The |
delegates t-large are Col. NJ. S. Quay. |
John B. Steel, OF Greensburg; B. w. !
Greene. of Cameron County; former Rep |
resentative John Leisinring. of Wilkes |
barre; Representative William Connell, |
of Scranton: James Elverson and Charles !
A. Porter, of Philadelphia. and Gen. Frank
Reeder, the State Chairman. The electors |
at-large are W. c. Arnold Clearfield:
Clarence Wolf, Philadelphia; Frank II. |
Buhl, Mercer. ard 4. b. Roberts, Mont
gomery.