Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-01-10
WILL BATTLE
FOR REFORM
Regular Republicans Now Control
Both Branches of the State
Legislature.
THE FUSION GAME BLOCKED.


men Adopt Resolutions Demand
ing Adherence to the Principles of
Elected by the Party.
Especial Correspondence
Harrisburg, Jan. 8.-The stalwart
Republicans of Pennsylvania, having
succeeded in organizing both branches
of the general assembly, now propose
to carry into effect the several reforms
to which the party organization stands
committed. The so-called insurgents,
whose whole stock in trade has been
what they could make out of their cry
of reform" are absolutely helpless and
must follow the lead of the regular Re-
publicans. upon whom the voters of
Pennsylvania have placed the respon-
sibility of the conduct of the general
assembly.
The election OF DR.. William p. Sny-
der, stalwart Republican candidate for
president pro TEN. of the state senate.
was the first victory for the regulars.
His election followed his nomination
by the Republican caucus and not
single insurgent senator had the
temerity to vote against him. In turn
ing down the Democratic candidate.
Finn, Martin and the other ring lead
ers OF the fusion movement showed
their cowardice. While they declined
to vote for Democrat. they wished the
Democrats of the house to support an
l.. lot fnp
speaker, Koontz, of Somerset.
MARSHALL ELECTED SPEAKER.
The regulars, after capturing the SEN
ate directed their attention to the or
ganization of the house. This was a
very hard problem to tackle on ac-
count OF the fusion deal made between
the Guffey Democrats and the Finn
Martin insurgents. The regular Re-
publican caucus showed that owing to
the absence of several of their num-
ber the stalwarts lacked few votes of
a majority. A number who had pledg
ed themselves to vote with the regular
Republicans had betrayed their trust
and joined the insurgent alliance.
When, however, the vote in the house
was taken the candidate of the regu-
.,
| ed speaker by vote Of 100 to SO.
The insurgents were wild with rage
over the fact that five Democrats voted
with the regular Republicans and one
declined to vote for either candidate,
but they apparently want people to
overlook the fact that of the SO votes
for Koontz for speaker 43 were Demo-
cratic votes.
The stalwart Republicans propose to
go right ahead with the program they
have mapped out.
TO BATTLE FOR REFORM.
In the caucus of Republican men,
| bers of the house for the selection Of
candidate for speaker Former State
Chairman Thomas V. Cooper men,
ber of the house from Delaware county,
| offered resolution, which read
Resolved, That the Republicans
| of the house of representatives in
regular caucus assembled. in ad
vance of other action, pledge every
honest effort to the end that this
session OF the legislature shall pass
| just and complete apportionment
bills, measures for the simpliflca-
tion Of the ballot and reform of our
election and primary election laws,
the most adequate appropriation in
aid of the common school system
and in covering any past deficiency
therein, from revenues now suffici-
emily increased to make this wholly
practicable, liberal support to the
public charities and to do all these
things with such promptness that
the session may be kept within the
| limits OF proper economy as to pub
lie expenditures. SO far as the gen.
eral assembly is itself concerned.
These resolutions were adopted by
unanimous vote. and the policy therein
outlined will no doubt be rigidly ad-
hered to by the Republican members.
TO ENFORCE PARTY REGULARITY.
The attitude OF the members of the
party organization toward those men,
bers OF the legislature elected by Re-
publican votes who bolted their party
caucus was made manifest at meet
ings OF the Republican state committee
and OF chairmen OF the Republican
county committees held here last week
Chairman Billman. OF the Berks
county committee. at the meeting OF
the county chairmen offered resolu-
tion which was unanimously adopted.
The resolution read:
Resolved. That as the executive
committee OF the Republican or
ganization Ia the counties and cities
OF the commonwealth We realize
the necessity for the continued uni
~ Of the party. With unity can
only be promoted by the cordial ac-
eeptance OF the wishes OF the ma
jority OF the party. Those wishes
were clearly expressed at the re-
cent greatest OF all our elections In
the nomination OF senator's and rep
resentatiyes TO reflect the will Of
their respective localities. aud
where there is doubt. then the
wishes Of the party as whole with