Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-02-01
New Men and Better Methods.

Ex-Lieutenant Governor Watres, OF
Lackawanna county who was Cnalr-
man of the Republican State Committee
in 1891 and who some time since declar-
ed his opposition to the methods OF those
in control of the Republican organiza-
ton in the State, in speaking of the
recent expose of ballot-box frauds In
Philadelphia, said:
When election frauds were first al
legged it was looked upon by many as a
play to the galleries, and part OF fac-
tional fight The arrests and subse-
onent flight of the accused have convinc-
ed the general public that the charges
were based on fact, and that election
| frauds are frequently practiced.
1t is a most humiliating comment
! that the Republican organization IN
| great Republican State like Pennsylva
mia. with its enormous majorities, with
| its fair record and glorious history,
should rely upon tricky primaries and
| fraudulent ballots to keep it in power.
PENNSYLVANIA in the past has en-
tertained a Just pride in her devotion
and LOYALTY to the principles of the
Republican party Nothing but a sud
den awakening to the danger and duty
| of the hour will save the proud name
of the Commonwealth from merited re
proach and disrepute. If the ballot Is
corrupt. what hope have we for pure
politics or pure government.
1.-The situation, briefly stated, Is
That the Republican party in the State
needs reforming. 1t will certainly be
reformed either within party lines or by
| forces outside of it. Party promises
have gone to protest, and no responsl-
BILE endorser for their renewal by the
present regime is in sight. New men
and better methods are peremptorlly de-
manded
'sThe present. is an opportune time
for action. The first duty of the citizen
is to address himself to the remedylng
of defective election laws. None but
men of known political integrity should
be sent to the next Legislature. Men
who will not swear allegiance to proper
ly safe guard the people at the prlmar
les, and the ballot box, and whose rec
ord is not a sufficient guarantee for hon
est legislation should be permitted tc
remain at home.
ITO accomplish this requires vigi
lance, effort and organization. Young
men should enter politics and the bood
ler be sent to the rear. Proper mer
should be selected in each Legislative
district as candidates, and vigorous
campaign put forth in their behalf
II arl a firm believer in orgdnl
zation. That it is sometimes called
machine does not change its purpose
But the proper province of the organl
zation is to formulate and execute the
party policy, and not to use tht
machine for personal ends. Integrity
should be as much fundamental virtue
with political parties as it is with IN
dividuals.
Under the present rules and practice
county and district conventions for the
ELECTION of delegates to the State con
yentions are held at different dates, and
when necessary for its purposes arr
directed by the State organizations
This enables the organization to con
centrate its forces on each district sep
arately, and the unorganized voter is a
a great disadvantage. This should bt
changed and primaries throughout th'
lState should be simultaneously held.
THE purpose of the primaries shoult
be to nominate men who will represen
the people and not political boss
With a Legislature composed of FREE
and untrammeled men, Pennsylvania
will secure honest primaries, homes
elections and honest legislation, faction
alism will cease, the peoples rights vii
be protected, extravaganza guarded
against, patriotism promoted, education
advanced, the rights of capital ant
labor adjusted, and the peace, prosper
ity and good name of the Common
wealth assured.