The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-04-10
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glsts, VINO nave queer notion tnat II
they can only pulverize citizenship into
atoms, evils arising from defects of
party organization and inadequate par
ty responsibility would disappear. AS a
matter of fact these evils would be in
tensified, and the consequences of their
political schemes, if fully accomplished,
would be anarchy. What we really
need for the betterment of political con-
ditions is not less party responsibility.
but more of it, and by laboring to SUBJ
stitute mob caprice for party action the
doctrinaire reformers are promoting
political degeneracy.
The particular feature upon which
they are insisting is that the law shall
prevent voters from casting a party
ticket, as about 999 voters out of every
1000 prefer to do. The ballot law as
proposed by the Republican party or
ganization, provides facilities for vot-
ing in detail, by marking each name
with a cross, but what they demand
is that while they are allowed to vote
in the way they prefer, regular party
men shall also be compelled to go over
the ballot in detail. In acceding to
this demand in behalf of the Demo-
cratic party organization Col. Guffey.
we believe, misinterprets the desire of
his own party. Perhaps if he were in
position of actual responsibility for
legislation on the subject. he would
take a different view of the case. The
duty OF the Republican party leaders is
plain. They have no right to set aside
the wishes Of the party to crafty the
demand Of comparatively small body
OF doctrinaire reformers. TpCu this
point there can be no compromise. and
the party pledge of ballot reform is
tull| redeemed in accepting the bill
just as offered by Col. Guffey with
amendments preserving the right of
party voters to vote party ticket as
whole"
A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Some comment has been occa5ioned
by statement made by Senator Focht
who usually speaks by the card. re-
garding a constitutional convention.
1T is generally admitted" said Sen
ator Focht, that the present state con-
stitution needs overhauling, and it is
quite likely the present Legislature will
make provision for the adoption of
new one. Ex-Lieutenant Governor
Chauncey F. Black was here this week
and to the writer expressed himself in
The strongest terms in favor of amend
ments. II is agreed that there should
Se some modification with regard To
the enactment of special laws, so as to
admit OF certain subjects and commu-
mites being specially treated. When
the present constitution was adopted
we did not have the present great cor
porations and industrial combinations,
nor was the energy of electricity ap-
piled as power in the electric lighting
and railroad world. There has been
nightly sweep in the march of ad-
vancement since the present governing
instrument was adopted. The next
convention would have a membership
Of nearly 200, which would be selected
rom the strongest men intellectually.
presenting all parties.
When Senator QUAY comes here ir
a rev weeks he and Governor Black
will have a conference relative to pass
ing resolution in the legislature look
ing to the adoption of a constitution
which will be wider and more modern
in its provisions"
LOCAL OPTION DEBATED.
The defeat of the Leard local option
bill was not due to concerted action Of
any party. Republicans and Demo-
crate, stalwarts and insurgents divided
on this issue
Another bill which failed TO pass
the house was that providing for the
removal Of all screens and other OBJ