The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-10-09
JUDGE pENNYPAckER's MEN,
DACITY,


and unfairness. Judge Pennypacker,
seems to have different idea. Briefly
and concisely the facts may be stated.
and every voter in the state should be
acquainted Herewith. No public man
in the history of Pennsylvania has
been noted for greater carefulness and
more uniform accuracy in expression
concerning public affairs than ex-Gov-
ernor Pattison. No one has ever been
able to show him to be in error upon
any material point, and until the pres
ent campaign no one attempted this
unjust and ungracious task. 1t seems
to be necessary, in the interest OF
truth and justice and political decency,
to expose the discredtable and short
sighted misconduct of the Quay ma
chine candidate for governor.
In his speech Of acceptance at Read
ing Governor Pattison. referring to the
abuse of official power. especially at
Harrisburg, by the Quay machine and
its allies, said
"In every way possible members OF
the legislature have been annoyed, held
up and pursued by this malign power,
always determined to promote selfish
interests. Facts might be cited in
connection with appropriation bills
almost beyond belief. So gross have
these offenses become. there is a just
demand for some legal restriction or
regulation concerning this matter,
making it a penal offense to influence
legislators in the manner now practiced
at Harrisburg. The very best members
of the legislature are at times power
less to carry out the will of their con-
stituents unless they consent in vio-
lence of their consciences, to arrange
ments and deals with corrupt men who
are nothing less than public pirates.
During the past 20 years reform meas
ures have only been enacted by the
courageous union of Independant Re-
publicans and Democrats, after des--
perate conflicts with the powers or
evil"
/ This truthful arraignment Of legis-
lative crooks was made at the direct
suggestion and earnest solicitation Of
members of the legislature, who had
witnessed with indignation the opera
tions here referred to, practices which
were not in vogue, as Judge Penny
packer well knows, during either of the
terms of former Governor Pattison.
This is an evil of more recent growth,
and one which must be met and abol-
ished, or honest and self-respecting
men will refuse to serve as legislators.
Every patriotic and right minded citi-
zen should be glad to cooperate in
such movement and any candidate for
public Office who, on the contrary, in
dulges in pettifogging sneers and
groundless criticism, plainly shows his
sympathy with political spectators and
his readiness to aid them in carrying
out their disreputable schemes. In
stances have recently been recorded
showing how public money has been
stolen in the manner alluded to and
many more schemes of the same sort
would have been carried out had it not
been for the resolute opposition of hon.
est members of the legislature and fea,
of exposure.
1t will be observed that the state.
ment made does not charge crooked
ness nor weakness upon the part Of
"all the members of the legislature
and the officers OF public institutions
concerned; yet, through garbled quota
tions, deliberate suppression and braz
en- misinterpretation the Quay mouth
piece and apologist for public knavery
has upon four different occasions
sought to make this impression, ant
insincerely charged Governor Pattisol
with responsibility for what he neve
said nor intended to say, nor even t
suggest. This is charge" crie'
Judge Pennypacker, at Erie, which af
fects the whole legislature; that tn
very best members enter into corrup
deals in order to secure appropriations
It is a reflection upon the officers an
managers of the hundreds Of charitie
all over the state"
There never was a more shamefu
piece of willful Misrepresentation, an
any man guilty of it shows himself
be utterly unworthy of public respeC
and confidence. This incident reveal
anew the power of evil association.
shows how a former member of tn
judiciary will descend to the despicabl
methods of the quarter sessions shyS
ter. No unworthy member of the ba
ever more grossly insulted his own liz