The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-06-13

take ii that when 8 reform-aDd
certainly a reform touching the
state In SO vital a points de-
manded by a respectable number
of citizens, II is the plain duty OF
the legislature to ascertain wheth-
er or not a majority Of the whole
people demand Il, and, II so, to put
Il in the simplest and speedfest
way OF accomplishment. We can
ascertain the will of the people
only by submitting the question to
them at the polls.
4 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
eff the legislature to be elected
IN November will frame fair, nom
partisan constitutional convention
bill, like that OF 1872. early in the
session and then submit the ques-
ton of convention or no conven-
ton 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 g.
special election. This appears 10
be not only right, but eminently
Just 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 OF 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 tie new
machinery should be left Il the
legislature, the language would be,
unlike that of pending alceI d.
ments, mandatory, and leave 40
room for evasion.
THE difficulty of securing re-
forms in the legislature, where any
discretion is allowed that body, is
well 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 problematieal.
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
devoived upon it.
(Signed) M. S. QUAY"
REEDER AND COOPER SPEAK.
Not only has Col. Quay taken this
stand. but influential leaders of the
Republican 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
asserted that the Republican organ
ization will lead In the movement for
such changes in existing laws as shall
be deemed desirable, and that through
out the commonwealth the active Re-
publicans Will work shoulder TO shoul-
der to fulfill any pledges that may be
made by the 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 a 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 to
meet the demands of the people in
remedying existing evils.
Former State Chairman Thomas V.
Cooper, v no is a nominee for the leg
islature in Delaware county, ana 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
saia, in a recent statement:
''It 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 If our vote can determine the
matter II can be truthfully said that
we believe il 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. II is not always enough,
nowadays, 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
ization. within the largest and best or
ganiZation. There we can battle for
the right to some purpose; outside, we
are useless as a rule. There are revo-
lutionary exceptions, but they are too
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 70
enforce them, and If 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 Municipal League is justly proud
Of its triumph in securing the opportu-
nifty to vote upon two amendments
looking to better things. We are not
of that organization, but we must share
its pride and will try to help it in this
work. Our only regret is that the
state must wait five years for other
amendments. We have no fear but
that the Republican organization will
also join in the work. II has no inter-
est otherwise, and only foolish faction
lists will try to change what is a gen.
eral 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 II has our
answer in advance We are for better
things, for constant advancement to
higher and better forms OF government,
and these can best be secured through
good primary and general election
laws; and they can best be secured by
the cooperation of all who have good
purposes in view, without regard to
faction or party"