The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-06-13

instituted among men deriving their Just
powers from the consent of the governed,
which for over century have been accepted
by the people of this great republic as a
fundamental truth, is the keynote of all in.
dependence, the inspiration of all human
progress and the guiding star OF liberty; that
we depore and view with alarm the present
tendency of our government and many OF
our citizens as WE'LL to sacrifice these ac.
cepted traditions and sacred principles of
this Republic at the shrine of expediencv and
selfish greed.
Resolved, That we do hereby congratulate
the people Of Pennsylvania for the partial
protection from vicious legislation given to
them by the few but honest and earnest leg.
islators in the Senate and House of Repre-.
sentatives whom neither the Establishments
Of pseudo friends nor the threats and bribes
of the enemy could seduce from their allepi.
ance of trusting constituents and the funda-
mental law of the Commonwealth; that
while this little band of legislators could no,
prevent the enactment Of some measures de.
stined to diminish the liberties of the people,
to foster corruption in high places, and to
give added power, wealth and colossal com
binations; that their zeal in behalf of wise
legislation and their fidelity to the high trust
imposed upon them have earned commenda.
tion Of every loyal Democrat and of every
lover of decency, honesty and integrity, in
the entire Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania.
without regard to party affiliations.
Resolved, That the people of Columbia
county are TO be congratulated in special
manner for the able, honest and consistent
course Of Honorables J. Henry Cochran,
Senator of the oath Senatorial district, Will.
lam T. Greasy and Fred T. Ikeler, Members
OF the Legislature, who have not violated the
pledges made to their constituents and
whose every action as lawmakers was guided
by the most scrupuous regard to the sane.
tity Of their oaths of office. The perform.
ance of ordinary duty does not entitle one to
special commendation, but when the perform.
ance entails self martyrdom, threatens to
disrupt the ties of friendly associations and
subjects one to the severe discipline of a
triumphant enemy and to the gibes of former
friends, turned renegades, then it becomes
an act of heroism Justly entitled to signal
mark Of appreciation.
Therefore, as Senator and Representatives,
J. Henry Cochran, William T. Greasy and
fred T. Ikeler. have performed their legis.
ative duties with skill, intelligence and abil.
ty, they have the thanks of all good citizens.
without regard to party affiliations, of the
entire Commonwealth.
Resolved, That we condemn the work of
the Republican Legislature at Harrisburg.
and .ecognze in the proceedings of the ma
jority party there, the most vilainous acts
that have ever been enacted by any body in
the world, by their methods in passing laws.
dictated by those who control legislation
which is passed for their private gain, as for
example, the trolley line system, etc. We
denounce such legi Station as being unconsti.
tutional, un-American, subversive of the
just and legal rights of the people, and ut.
terly indefensiblc anywhere, except where
the conscience to decide may be Influenced
by the same powers that control a superser
viceable party of legislators.
Resolved, That we denounce the vicious
legislation passed and the great haste in
which it was put through by boss-ridden
Legislature, whereby the people were de-
prived of their constitutional rights of being
heard by petition, address, or remons,rances,
We, therefore, insist that the Democratic
Convention, when assembled in state confer.
ence, shall demand the repeal of this Ripper
legislation, and that to secure such repeal,
together with an honest system of ballot re.
form, which shall pledge the Democracy OF
Pennsylvania to unite its efforts with those
of all reputable and liberty loving citizens OF
this Commonwealth, and we commend Chief
Justice J. b. McCollum and Justices Ino.
Dean and S. b. Mestrezat, of the Supreme
Court of the State, for the firm stand they
have taken for the preservation of the rights
and liberation of the people as set forth in
their dissenting opinion filed in the Ripper
case.
Resolved, That we condemn the present
tax system in Pennsylvania, which. in 1902
was $50, 900, 900, and in 1900, $44, 900, 900,
an increase of 40 per cent in six years; be.
cause it is becoming more and more burden.
some on the farmers and real estate owners
OF the state, we, therefore, ask for a revision
of our revenue system, whereby all kinds Of
property shall pay its just proportion.
Resolved, That we condemn the action
OF all parties concerned in insttuting and
prosecuting the unwarranted proceedings to
remove county official from office who had
committed no crime or wrong, and because
the County Treasurer and other County Com
missioners were threatened by the same in
formant.
That the people Of Columbia County have
cause to congratulate themselves on account
of fact that the Supreme Court has put ;
stop to this kind OF malicious prosecution.
founded on malice
The county officials will again be permit
ted to perform their dnties according tc
law and to the best Of their Judgment anc
ability as the oath they havo taken require
them 10 do.
Resolved, That we endorse the course @
Hon. r. X. Polk in the Congress of tn,
United States.
1t is gratifying to the people of the Seven
teenth Congressional District to be repre-
sented in the highest legislative body of tn,
nation by man SO able and well qualified
to meet and discharge the duties of Rep
resentatve.
Resolved, That we recognize in the Hon
| James M. Guffey, National Committeeman
from Pennsylvania, a leader of the peopl
whose counsel may be received and who's,
advice can be followed unfalteringly.
! Resolved, That we appreciate the homo
conferred upon Columbia county by the De
mocracy of Pennsylvania in the selection O
Hon. William T. Greasy. Member of tn
Legislature, aS State Chairman of the Dem
ocratic party, and we pledge to him ou
/ united SuDDort