Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-05-03


ing but praise heard regarding the
work of the Republican state conven-
tion held here last week. The ticket
nominated has been very favorably re-
ceived. Although the supporters OF
the unsuccessful candidates for con-
gressman-at-large were manlfestly dis
appointed over the result, they have
taken their defeat gracefully, and
there is a general disposition to turn
in and roll up the largest Republican
majority that has ever been given IN
the keystone state. 1t is certain that
Pennsylvania will again lead the coll
umn of states in the size of the major
ity she will give to the Mckinley pres
idential ticket. The nominees on the
state ticket will keep we'll up with the
electors. The nomination of Senator
E. B. Hardenbergh, of Wayne county,
was foregone conclusion. Before the
balloting all other aspirants for audi
tor general withdrew. With clear
field, this popular Republican from the
northeastern end of the state, upon
motion of Senator Penrose, was NOM
mated by acclamation. There was
little brush over the selection of candi-
dates for congressmen-at-larg Robert
H. Foerderer, a well known manufac-
turer of Philadelphia, and Galusha A.
Grow were finally declared to be the
winners. Mr.. Foerderer got 338 votes
and Mr.. Grow 225. The balance was
divided between the losers, DR.. Flood,
of Crawford, getting SO and former
Congressman Arnold, of Clearfield, 40.
The insurgent Republicans, while all
voting for Grow, would have liked to
had him defeated, as they would then
have made campaign against the reg
yon1 nh 40
them with his defeat. Colonel Quay,
however, insisted all along that the
veteran Grow should be renominated.
even though he had lost his political
following and there were only senti-
mental considerations which influenced
those who did not wish to see the old
warhorse turned down.
INSURGENTS DISAPPOINTED.
Not only were the insurgents disap-
pointed at the denomination OF Grow,
but they had the ground cut from un-
der them by the work of the stalwart
leaders who framed the party platform.
Flinn and his machine followers of AL
legheny turned up with all sorts OF
reform resolutions regarding the
ballot, the election of United States
senators by popular vote and other
issues, which they hoped would be ig-
nored by the friends of Colonel Quay.
In this they were checkmated. Colonel
Quay, who has had costly experience
with the tricks of q small clique or
politicians of his own party uniting
with the Democrats in blocking an
election of United States senator in
the legislature, requested his frlendS
to go on record as absolutely in favor
of the election of United States sena-
tors directly by the people. Had that
been the method Of procedure in this
state last year Colonel Quay would
have been victorious. He has not hes
itated to go before the people in the
past and he would not in the future,
should occasion require it. The same
fnsurgent influences that were against
him In the last legislature tried to pre-
vent the election of Colonel Stone for
the governorship and Colonel Barnett
for state treasurer by making combina-
tions with Democrats, and in each case
they were routed by the stalwart Re-
publicans of the state at the polls. In
both campaigns the issue was made
by them as "Quay or antiQuay," and
the candidates of the Republican or
ganiZation We're aSsailed as friends OF
Colonel Quay.
1t was noteworthy that upon the only
test vote in the state convention OF
Wednesday last the insurgents were
shown to have but very insignificant
following in the convention.
William Finn found that not only
did the platform committee report in
favor of the election Of United States
senators by popular vote, but took the
reform and against all forms of elec-
tion frauds.
FOR BALLOT REFORM.
This is the plank on ballot reform:
"The Republican party of Penn
sylvania has always stood for an
honest ballot and a fair count. In
the furtherance of this idea, an act
was passed in 1891. known as the
Baker ballot law, for the purpose
of protecting the citizen in the eX-
ercise of the elective franchise.
This act was passed by Repub-
1ican legislature at the instance of
the Ballot Reform association, and
was intended to secure a secret and
honest ballot. Further safeguards
were thrown around the ballot law
by the supplemental act of 1893.
In addition however, to these laws
we favor such legislation as will
enable the courts to open the ballot
boxes upon the petition of citizens,
duly presented, in all cases where
complaint is properly made, alleg-
ing fraud in the holding of an elec-
tion or the counting of the vote
cast, so that If fraudulent ballots
are placed in the boxes or a false
count has been made it can be ex-
posed by the courts with expedition
and all offenders against the puri-
ty of the ballot detected and
brought to speedy Justice"
Another issue that was squarely met
by the state convention was that as to
majority rule. Upon this subject the
platform read:
1--WE believe in the fundamental
principle of government that the
will of the majority, properly as
certained, shall always prevail We
declare that this principle applies
as well to political parties as to
other governmental affairs The