Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-02-21
Entered at the Post Office at Laporte, as
second-c class mail matter.


Harrisburg, Feb. 19.-"Every prom
ise of the Republican state convention
and the Republican administration in
regard to ballot reform will be faith
fully carried out" was the positive dec
laration made today by Attorney Gen
eral John P. Elkin who is regarded as
one of the most influential Republican
state leaders. "The matter of ballot
reform has been given careful consider
alton by the party leaders," he contin-
ued, "and the regular Republicans can
be relied upon to advocate and pass
such measures as will meet every re-
quirement of the situation and fulfill
the expectations of the people Bills
are now in course of preparation which
1t is believed will be satisfactory to
those who regard change in the bal
cot laws as necessary to insure a secret
ballot, correct count of every vote
cast and true and proper return of
the ballots as cast
Attorney General Elkin is believed to
speak by the card when he predicts
that the demands for ballot reform will
be fully met
The elections committee of the sem
ate, of which Benjamin X Focht of
Union, is chairman, has had several in
formal discussions of the subject of
ballot reform, and the measures in
course of development will, it is de-
clared, put into effect every reform
desired.
After the revelations of the ring
methods Of the Finn machine Of Pitts
burg, as shown in the discussion Of the
reform charter bill in the state senate.
people are likely to look with suspicion
upon the so-called reform bills Of Sem
ator Finn, which the insurgents have
been advertising and playing up at q
great rate. Finn, in the role of a re-
former, with the real reformers of his
home county branding him as an arro-
CANT boss, will not be apt to impress
the voters of the state as desirable
champion of ballot reform.
Members of the elections committee
authorized to speak last week aston
ished the Democrats by telling them
that primary election law would be
introduced, as well as a general ballot
reform law, that the bills would be
good measures and so enacted as to be
satisfactory to the Democrats, IL they
really desired honest election laws.
In accordance with this promise,
Representative William s. Van Dyke,
of Westmoreland, at the proper time,
introduced in the house the Guthrie
primary bill, which is "an act to regu-
late the nomination of public officers,
primary elections and the payment of
certain expenses incident thereto and
prescribing penalties for the violation
of the provisions thereof or the COM
mission of. certain prohibited acts"
VINO is to prepare or who will intro
duce the general ballot reform bill the
stalwart managers will not state.
In regard to primary election laws,
many members of the legislature say
they are not sure that a satisfactory
bill can be passed, one that would be
acceptable to all the political rarties
They think the bringing together Of
all political parties to hold primaries
at the same place would have a ten
dency to disorganize political lines, and
therefore be conducive of harm in the
end
There has been considerable discus
sion OF the matter of reform in libel
laws, no doubt due to the introduc-
ton in Philadelphia of yellow journal
ism OF the yellowest type, in which the
regulations of citizens stand for moth
ing when the politicians back of tie
yellow sheet seek to ruin or destroy
an opponent. There have been several
bills introduced in the legislature on
this subject, and II Is believed that q
satisfactory bill will be drafted which
Will be acceptable to publishers and Of
newspapers and those who wish to
meet the introduction OF yellow Jour-
nalism. with due regard for the inter-
ests OF the legitimate newspaper pub
Usher.
RADICAL OLEO LEGISLATION
The senate committee on health and
sanitation has had under consideration
oleomargarine legislation, which re-
suited in the committee deciding to
substitute for the bill already intro
duced more radical measure.
The new bill was presented by Sena-
tor Snyder. who also introduced the
measure which has been discarded.
Senator Snyder's new bill provides that
suit can be brought against violators
Of the law by any person In the name
OF the commonwealth. One-half OF the
penalty shall go to the prosecutor and
the remainder 10 the state. Violation
VI hlt law Ia iiidut mlSutuieduOf pun
isable by fine of from $i00 to $500
and not more than 30 days imprison-
ment for the first offense. and not less
than $500 nor more than $500 fine and
imprisonment not exceeding two years
tor the second Offense.
Temporary injunetions shall he is
sued against dealers In oleomargarine
where cases brought against them have
been appealed by the defendant. and II
IL be found that he Is still violating the
law the injunction shall become per-
manent upon successful determination
af the case In court, The dairy and
food commissioner and his agents are
empowered to enter places of business
and take samples Of oleomargarine. Lii
eense fees are provided for In the same
manner a. they are provided fur In the
existing law, The bill also prohibits
Tie sale Of oleomargafine from wagons
aud from house to house; requires
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