Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-10-28
THEBATTLEFOR REFORM
Democratic State Chairman's Final
Appeal to the Voters.
DUTY OF NoN-PARTIsAN UNION

liens Should ImproVe-What the
Election of Yerkes and coray Will
Mean.
Harrisburg Oct. 24-The following
address has been issued by Chairman
Greasy, OF the Democratic state COM
mittee
To the voters Of Pennsylvania:
An extraordinary chapter in the his
tory of Pennsylvania politics has just
been recorded, one which should ar
rest the thoughtful attention of every
citizen and arouse him to a sense of
his bounden duty toward the common
wealth. In the conflict which has
been waged with the persistent foes
of honest government all efforts to
protect the ballot box from pollution
have been either openly and bitterly
opposed, or sinister attempts made to
nullity the fruits of intelligent and
earnest work for ballot reform. AT
every step, obstacles have been put
in the way of the free and independ-
ent exercise of the right suffrage.
Needless and Yexatious requirements
have been insisted upon, with the sole
object of preventing the success at
the polls OF those non-partisan move
ments absolutely necessary at times
to overcome the combined power of
evil forces in public life.
THE TREASURY RING TERRIFIED.
Face to face at last with the swell
ing tide of patriotic revolt against in
tolerable conditions, it was determined
to break down, il possible, this in
spring union of honest citizenship
through an eleventh hour appeal to
the courts. This action was not based
upon even a fragment of justice-for
any alleged trespass upon personal
rights could have been fully considered
at any other time-but the barest
technicality of procedure. The pur-
pose was SO plain that none could be
deceived and as unjustiiable as it was
significant. 1t was hoped to prevent
a half million Democratic voters from
having the opportunity to strike a di-
rect and effective blow at the blighting
and doomed cause Of Quayism. Such
a transparent scheme Of unprincipaled
and desperate political leaders clearly
shows the fear which possesses them.
The possibility and growing certainty
that a trustworthy representative of
the people will be commissioned to
take charge of the state treasury fills
the ring with alarm. This one fact
should serve as an unerring finger
board showing the honest voters OF
Pennsylvania their duty in this crisis.
Never before has such a plan to defeat
the manifest public will been resorted
to. Never before have baffied political
conspirators dared to snatch the ballot
of his choice from the citizens hands.
Never before have political highway
men thus attempted to hold up the
patriotic freemen of our great state.
EARNEST WORK ALL ALONG THE
LINE.
Happily, this despicable device to
save an imperiled machine has utterly
failed The utmost demands of party
regularity have been swiftly and com
pletely complied with. The reform
banner is still aloft, bearing the hon
ored names that every honest Demo-
crat in Pennsylvania, and every honest
Republican as well, should be proud
to endorse at the polls. We, there
fore, in the name of a Democracy that
means the very highest form Of polit-
ical purity and personal and official
integrity, appeal to you to gird on the
armor for an Immediately and tri-
umphant assault upon the citadel of
Quayism. Let the remaining days of
the campaign be zealously devoted to
bringing every voter into line for
Yerkes and Coray. The signs of vic
tory are most encouraging on every
hand. An earnest union OF good citi-
zenship in every county, in every city
and town and in every election dis
trict, will surely mean the utter rout
Of the enemies of the people.
WHAT A UNION REFORM VICTORY
WILL MEAN.
A vote for Yerkes means the uphold
ing of the highest standard of judicial
ability and integrity; the protection
of the court of last resort from the
contamination of evil influences. Every
citizen is vitality Interested in the
maintenance of the purity of the tri-
bunals of justice. A vote for Coray
means an effective protest against the
prostitution of public otnce to base
selfish purposes. The state treasury
has been the financial fortress within
which a conscienceless and corrupt
ring has been entrenched for nearly
40 years. To drive them out, open the
books and enforce honest administra-
ton, is the supreme duty Of voters
this year. The chance to do this has
never been so favorable. Now is the
time for union Of the patriotic citi-
zenship of our long enthralled COM
monwealth which will lead to its
speedy release from the iniquities of
machine bondage.