Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-08-15
ON STATE ISSUES ONIY
Pennsylvania Democratic Con.
vention's Platform ! Re.
markable Document.
National Issues Entirely Ignored
and Campaign Will BE On
State Affairs.
A Severe Arraifnmsnt Of the
legislators. Republican and
Democratic Alike.

legislators. Republican and
Democratic Alike.
Harrisburg. Pa, Aug. 1.-THE CAM
paign for the ticket nominated by to-
days democratic state convention will
be entirely on state issues. No mention
ts made in the platform OF the name of
Bryan, free silver, Imperialism or other
rational issues. The last legislature is
condemned for the passage Of the rapid
transit and Ripper" bills and pro-
nounced 10 be the most corrupt legisla-
tive body that ever convened in the
country. All friends of good govern
ment are invited to join with the de-
mocracy in its efforts to save the state
from further dishonor.'' The platform
was prepared at a conference Of party
leaders, which lasted until daybreak.
and 1t is one of the most remarkable
declarations of principles ever issued by
o Pennsylvania convention. Those
democratic legislators who Joined with
the republican majority in passing the
bills condemned by the platform are
left other immediate constituents for
"infliction of political punishment"
This part of the platform is not satisfac-
tory to ex-Congressrnan Sowden and
other delegates and before the conven-
tion met at noon they threatened to Of
fer more drastic resolutions as substi-
tute. The selection of the ticket was
given little consideration by the leaders
Eefore the convention assembled. owing
to their efforts to effect a compromise
between the rival Philadelphia factions.
who are fighting for recognition of their
delegates
The convention was called to order
at 12:40 by State Chairman Cressy.
Charles X. REILLY. of Adamsport, was
made temporary chairman. After the
appointment of the committees the
convention recessed until three. The
leaders of the rival factions at their
conference decided to settle the diff.
ferences between the Philadelphia
factions by having State Chairman.
ICressy appoint q advisory committee.
to reorganize the democracy OF the
Quaker city rfiis disposes Of the con Z
test OF the two factions for SrecoRnf-
ton. 81 81
Following is the platform adopted
by the convention:
The democracy of Pennsylvania in
convention assembled makes this dec
laration Of it's convictions and purpose
in the coming election: Waiving all
questions and propositions upon which
the people OF the nation divide into po-
litical parties. we call upon all honest
citizens to unite with us for redemption
of our commonwealth from the political
freelbooters who now control it. We
invite all political parties and all or
ganizations of men needful to the public
welfare and all Pennsylvanians to Join
us in crusade for publication of the
polluted channels of public authority.
We deplore with all good men the need
of making the question of common
honesty and decent administration an
issue to divide the people of great
state, but to this deplorable necessity
we have been brought by the outrages Of
republican machine government. With
incredulous amazement the people Of
our sister states turn their eyes upon
the spectacle presented by our common
wealth. Every department Of our state
government is honey-combed with
profiigacy, dishonesty and reckless dis
regard of constitutional or moral obli-
cations. The powers of the government
are prostituted to the purpose of public
thieves. The constitutional restraints
and commands. sanctity of the law, OBJ
legations of official oaths and the de-
mands Of the insatiate greed of public
plunderers for money, money, more
money. Shamelessly and openly the
votes of legislators are bought and so
persistently and constantly that market
values for legislators have been estab-
lished by settled custom. The apparent
indifference of our people to these OUT
RACES has emboldened the corruptionists
to such an extent that the last session
of our legislature out-heroded Herod in
in its infamies. All men pronounce 1t
the most corrupt legislative body ever
convened in any state. It's very organ
ization is founded on the purchase of
venal legislators with money and place
and 1t closed its session with the crown
Ing infamy of that most stupendous
franchise steal, shocking the moral
sense OF the entire country. The Sc
lection OF United States senator
was accomplished in carnival
of corruption and bribery. In a reck-
less determination to punish enemies
and reward subservient tools. estab-
lished municipal governments were
luthlessly overturned and the chosen
servants Of the people expelled from
their offices TO make place for the crea-
lures of the corrupt machine. The faith
of the people in the sanctity of the Judi
ciary Was broken by its hating efforts
to find a plausible excuse for crime.
Foiled in its efforts to rob the state of
millions of dollars of valuable coal de-
posfts, the legislature proceeded to that
other greater robbery of railway fran
chishes of the state, worth millions to
the plunderers and stripping every city
and every township in, the common
wealth Of proper control OF its streets
for trolley improvements. Even the
public charities OF the state. Its hospit-
ale. asylums and the comfort OF their
unfortunate inmates were made the
work Of political greed and their appro-
priations measured and determined by
their use and services to the machine.
No possible field OF corruption was left
uncultivated by the crew ~ public. plum |
derers, who In the narle OF Z great. par
ty have prostitureuf all the purposes and
powers Of the government 20 their own
usee. {. i sss
For thsss crimes sse ipdiss ,he repus- |!