The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-06-05

d2dlllSl law, OluNi "ho 'NNNhSD Gt
the acquittal OF the Philadelphia
ballot box stuffer, Sam Salter, has
aroused anew the indignation OF
every good citizen of the state
against the rotten political condi-
ton that permeates even the courts
of law and makes justice hollow
mockery. 1t is evident that to bal
lot box stuffing the crime of jury
box stuffing has been added.
NO HONEST ELECTION IN PHILA.
DELPHIA.
1t has long been notorious thai
there is no such thing as an honest
election III Philadelphia. The elec
ton machinery in the Quaker City
is in the hands of men who have as
little regard for the sanctity of au
oath as they have for the rights Of
citizenship. Many of the polling
places are managed by thugs, who
would commit fraud or perjury, aud
even murder, at the behest of those
whose political tools they are, aud
Philadelphia has the unenviable
notoriety of being governed by the
worst gang of political pirates that
ever looted an American city.
More than two years and a hal,
ago Sam Salter, with half Gozeu
others, was arrested on the charge
of ballot box stuffing and other
kindred crimes. There was nc doubt
of their guilt, for they were trapped
by clever piece of detective work
done by the Norh american. They
were released on BAIL but when the
time came for trial they had put
themselves beyond the reach of the
law. One of the number, Scullep,
who did not get away, pleaded guilty
ana was sent to the penitentiary tot
year. After Salter had been away
more than two and half years, he
suddenly put in an appearance aud
surrendered to the court. The
machine had deliberately planned
the means Of his acquittal by the
iankest sort of perjury and then sent
for him to return. 1t would be
highly damaging to the machine &c
have gang OF repeaters and ballot
box suffers sent to the penitentiary
for their crimes, because it might
keep men from becoming repeaters,
and hence the desperate plan adopt
ed for their acquittal. Though Il
was proved beyond a doubt that
Salter was guilty, though he was
entrapped into fatty denying all the
witnesses who were trying to swear
him innocent, he was acquitted by
the jury which was perhaps drawn
for the very purpose.
SAM NOW BETTER QUALIFIED Foa
ASSEMBLY.
A fitting sequel to this corruP
and corrupting case is the announce
ment that Salter is likely to be re-
turned to the Legislature, where
the machine is in need of such as he.
He would now make an ideal MEM
Der to represent Quayism, the influ-
ences of which have corrupted every
department of State and municipal
: government. Even the schools of
Philadelphia are contaminated with
the slime of political corruption.
The stream cannot rise above its
source and when millions are spent
to bribe the Legislature into passing
bills to make fortunes political or
otherwise for few individuals. if
is not surprising that rottenness ex-
lists in every department Of our
political system.
Are the business, professional and
intelligent laboring men of Phila-
delphia so lost to all sense of politi-
cal honor that they are willing to
allow this condition to exist inde6-
nitely p? One can understand why
professional politicians and ward
heelers engage in nefarious business
of corrupting the channels of State
and city government, bur it is utter
ly incomprehensible why every good
citizen in Philadelphia, regardless
of his party bias, is not up in arms
against the corrupt gang that has
made the Quaker City a term Of re-
proach in its political relations.
: NO DEMOCRATIC SLATE.
Though the time for the Demo
cratic State Convention is drawing
near, the leaders are not troubling
themselves about candidates. They
are determined that the men to lead
the party in the coming campaign
against Quayism shall be the tn
trammelled choice of the party with
no domination from the organiza-
ton. This is in striking contrast
with the words of Quay, uttered
three or four months ago, ~ have
not yet decided on candidate foC
governor. PALM.