The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-06-13
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

II the legislature 10 pc erected
IN November will frame a 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-
tion 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
tust 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 a convention, prima-
rily to consider election reforms
would proceed to put the reforms
required into the constitution it.
self, and, il 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 its ina
bility to promptly execute promis-
ed reforms by legislative action.
A convention being a 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 this
stand, but influential leaders of the
organization throughout
the state have come out for the most
advanced method Of accomplishing the
desired reforms in connection with the
ballot. Gen. Frank Reeder, chairman
of the Republican state committee, has
that the Republican organ.
lzation will lead In the movement fol
such changes in existing laws as shall
be deemed desirable, and that through.
but the commonwealth the active Re-
publicans will work shoulder to shoul-
der to fulfill any pledges that may be
made by tho state organization intend.
ed to stop abuses at elections. The
state chairman holds that the Republi.
can party has always been the cham
pion Of a pure ballot and secret one
and that in a great majority of the
election precincts throughout the state
the intent of the trainers Of the pres
ent law is faithfully carried out. He
admits that there has been objections
found to the operation of the law in
some Of the cities, and says the Repub-
lican party can be counted upon tC
meet the demands of the people in
remedying existing evils.
Former State Chairman Thomas v
Cooper, who is nominee for the leg
lslature in Delaware county, and who
was nominated without opposition, al
though he is an avowed supporter OF
Col. Quay, has gone on record as one
Of the leaders of the ballot reform
movement. Among other things he
said, in recent statement;
ut is a public duty to make it more
and constantly more difficult to violate
the election law. In the evolution OF
law seeking something better, both will
come il our vote can determine the
matter. 1t can be truthfully said that
we believe in and act with the party
organization. We do; we shall. 1t is
only through organization that any
thing worth doing for the people can
be done. 1t is not always enough
and where masses are con-
cerned, to be right; we must be in the
best possible position to aid the right
The best position is within an organ.
lzation, within the largest and best Or
ganization. There we can battle foI
the right to some purpose; outside, we
are useless as rule. There are revo-
lutionary exceptions, but they are toe
rare for our brief lives. AS part of the
great Republican organization we will
strive for better election laws, for
the amendments proposed, for laws to
enforce them, and II possible to i'm
prove them. II these can be reached
we will be thankful for the opportunity
to favor their application to all our
elections-general, spring, special and
the primaries of all parties.
"The Municipa. League Is Justly proud
of its triumph in securing the opportu-
nity to vote upon two amendments
looking to better things. We are not
of that organization, but we must share
It's pride and will try to help it in this
work. Our only regret is that the
state must wait five years for other
We have no fear but
that the Republican organization will
also join in the work. 1t has no inter-
EST otherwise, and only foolish faction.
lists will try to change what is a gen.
sral purpose for the public good. OF
course false counters will oppose, but
these are after all only few hirelings
of varied interests. The Municipal
League is preparing to question candi.
dates for the Legislature. 1t has oul
answer in advance. We are for better
things, for constant advancement tC
higher and better forms Of government
n. 4