Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-10-25
OLEO AGITATION
PURELY POLITICAL
Farmer Cope Challenges All Who
Criticize His Department
to Face Him.
CONGRESS Is IN DOUBT.

United States senator to Elect ana
With q Poll OF the Country Show
ing But SIX Probable Republican
Majority In the House.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, Oct. 23.-The political
character of the agitation over the oleo
issue is becoming known to the voters
Of the state. The willful misrepresent-
ations of the work of the department
of agriculture have been going on so
long and the associations OF the men
back of the attacks are now SO we'll
known that the farmers and dairymen
of the state are not being deceived.
This was apparent in Chester county
last week, when men who are identt-
fed with the insurgent Republican
movement got up meeting and sought
to help along their fusion legislative
campaign through it. Their gathering
was small one. and it was evident
that the politicians were working q
losing game.
FARMER COPE'S CHALLENGE.
Farmer Cope, after reading the re-
ports of what was said atthis sinsurgent
meeting in West Chester, promptly Is
sued the following challenge:
Having noticed the proceedings OF
the meeting held at Smiths Hall. West
Chester. Pa, on Oct. 16. beg leave to
make the following statement In order
to sustain the action of myself and the
attaches of the dairy and food depart
ment Of the commonwealth Of Pennsyl-
vania.
"To Edward Walter, George Rhoads,
Samuel E. Howell, Penrose Maule.
John Battin and John c. Sharpless: I
challenge you collectively or individ-
ually or any one connected with that
meeting or any one in the common
wealth of Pennsylvania or any news
paper published in this state to pro-
duce any evidence before any court
Of this commonwealth or board Of arbi-
tration that will sustain them in max
ing the following charges:
Whereas, By the sworn testimony
Of witnesses and the records OF the
several courts of quarter sessions OF
the commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1t
has been shown that officials of our
state and others under them have con-
spired with the oleomorgarine dealers
and actually did aid and abet them in
committing crimes and violations OF
our laws prohibiting the illegal sale
of oleomargarine.
Whereas, BY the violation Of the
laws regulating the sale of oleomarga-
rine the farmers of the state of Penn
sylvania have been systematically and
deliberately robbed out of several mil
lion dollars annually in the sale OF
their dairy products
II furthermore challenge any one in
this commonwealth or any newspaper
in this commonwealth to produce any
evidence since my taking charge OF
this division that will be sustained by
any court of this commonwealth or
board of arbitration, that any attorney,
chemist or agent has by any act or in
any manner hindered or prevented the
arrest and conviction of any person or
persons violating the pure food and
oleomargarine laws of this state.
Furthermore, l most emphatically
deny that I am under control Of any
machine, faction, party or association
or that either Governor Stone, Secre-
tary Hamilton or any one else connect
ed with the state administration has
at any time used or endeavOred to use
any influence or pressure in regard to
my actions as dairy and food commits
sioner of this commonwealth.
II honestly and conscienti0usly be.
lieve by the condition in which found
this division upon taking charge on the
10Th day Of June, 1900, that there has
been nothing criminal that can be at.
tached to any Official connected with
this department. That the attack upon
this department has been prompted G n
tirely as partisan movement to poi
son and prejudice the minds Of the
farmers Of the state.
"(Signed) JESSE X. COPE.
DAIRY and Food Commissioner"
CONGRESS IN DOUBT.
The poll of the United States made
by the New York Herald shows that
while the Republicans have the bright
est prospects Of winning a majority In
the house. the probable majority Is a
very small one, and 1t is not at all
certain that the Republicans will have
both branches OF congress at the next
session.
The fusion campaign which certain
men heretofore identified with the Re-
publican organization are making with
the Democratic machine politicians
may seriously affect the election OF
Republican congressman and members
OF the legislature.
The poll indicates that the Republic
cans. according to the present situa-
ton, will have majority Of six votes
In the house.
But as to the United States senate.
there are many doubtful conditions
which may imperil Republican success.
The figures given by the New York
Herald as to the outlook in the CAM
paign for the election Of United States
senators are interesting.
These tables are given by The Her.
aid;
PRESENT SENATE.
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PREDICTIONS.
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