The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-02-07
VINDICATION FOR
REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Republican District Attorney Sc.
cures Convictions in Ballot
Fraud Cases.
DEMOCRATIC GUNS SPIKED.
Philadelphia Republican Oihcials
Have the Confidence of the People
and Do Not Require to stuff Ballot
Boxes 10 Win Elections.
Especial Correspondence0

Especial Correspondence
Philadelphia, Feb. Ga prompt VIM
dication of the Republican organiza-
tion of this city was given in court
within the last few days in the success
of the efforts of the Republican dis
trict attorney of Philadelphia in his
prosecution of the men accused Oh
fraud at the last election. Three men
who were arrested upon a charge OF
conspiracy to make a false count ana
false return at that election were
found guilty after a most sensational
trial. The accused made determined
defense. and had it not been for the
persistence and untiring zeal or Dis
trict Attorney 'Rothermel 1t is quite
possible that there would at least have
been a disagreement of the jury. In
view of the efforts of the Democrats
and their Republican insurgent allies
to make political capital out of this
case by charging the corruption at the
polls against the Republican organiza-
tion, the course of the district attorney
throughout the trial was carefully fol-
lowed by his fellow citizens. He hal
all the resources of the Ashbridge ad-
ministration at his command to aid
him in procuring testimony and getting
his witnesses on hand.
ROTHERMEL'S GREAT WORK.
In order that there might be no
hitch in the preliminary work before
the grand jury the district attorney
went into court, obtained an order for
the appointment of a commissioner
before whom the ballot box was open
ed, and evidence was procured which
left no doubt of the character of the
frauds that were perpetrated. The
trial then followed, and step by step
Mr.. Rothermel pressed his case until
he came to his closing argument, which
was a mastery effort. The jury was
out but a short time when a verdict of
guilty was returned. and thus was the
most emphatic refutation possible
given to the charge that these frauds
were committed at the instance of
leaders of the Republican organization.
Testimony elected at the trial of the
case fully sustained the statement that
the character of the population in the
precinct in which the frauds took place
the heart of the slum districts-made
il quite probable that the frauds were
concocted for personal advantage OF
some of the heelers in that locality.
One of the Democratic candidates was
run ahead of his ticket by over one
hundred and fifty votes in this precinct.
The fact that the Republican ticket had
practically walkover at that election
in this city removed any incentive for
the Republican party leaders to resort
to fraud to help along their party's
candidates.
Since the conviction of the men ar
rested in the Fifth ward there has been
less talk by the Democrats and the So
| called reformers against the Republi-
can organization. They know that the
people are fully aware of the fact that
District Attorney Rothermel is an or
| ganization Republican, that he has
never been accused of opposing the
Republican ticket, and that his inter-
ests and sympathies are all with the
regular Republican organization.
It is believed that the result of this
trial will go a great way toward remov-
ing the false impression that has been
left upon the minds of some that the
Republican organization of the Quaker
City is enabled to win its splendid vic
tories at the polls only by the aid Of
improper means and illegal methods
at the lections.
ASHBRIDGE A GOOD MAYOR.
Philadelphia is a Republican city,
and its municipal government is as
honestly managed as is that of any
large city in the country. 1t is true
that in the past there have been things
done which should not have been done,
but under the present administration
the people have found no cause for
complaint Mayor Ashbridge has made
an efficient and progressive chief exec
utive officer and the taxpayers have
confidence in his administration.
The report of City Treasurer Nc
Michael, just made public, makes a
gratifying showing. The total cash
balance at the close of the year of the
combined deposits of the city's money
in banks is reported to have been s10,-
OBS, ,032.05. The treasurer says: "The
receipts of moneys from all sources
which came to the department of city
treasurer during the year ending Dec
81, 1899, amaunted to $50, ,3S9, ,764.04
The disbursements of this department
for the same period aggregated S94,-
533, ,481.29 II is a deserved testimony
to the integrity and accuracy Of the