The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-09-11
GUTHRIE SCORES
THE MACHINE
pittsburg Reformer's Able Speech
of Acceptance.
How Pennsylvania Has Suffered From
Corrupt Politics and Misgovern-
tnent-Hope Of the State.


In his address at Reading accepting
the nomination of the Erie Conven-
tion for lieutenant governor, Hon.
George w. Guthrie said:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen OF the
Committee thank you for the very
complimentary terms in which yol
have conveyed to me the official notice
of my unanimous nomination for the
Office of lieutenant governor of Penn
sylvania by the Democratic state con-
vention at Erie. There is only one Is
sue involved in the approaching state
election, but that issue Is one of su-
preme Importance, as 1t involves our
liberties and the good government OF
our state and its cities.
The state of Pennsylvania, the homo
of nearly 100000 people, has glor-
ious past, and the prospect of still
brighter future. Its natural resources
and its advantageous position have
been so utilized by an intelligent and
Industrious people as to put and keep
IL in the lead in the wonderful growtn
and development of this great and pros
porous nation. Its railways form an in
tegral part Of the avenues of the COM
merce of the world, along which the
products of its mines and factories GoW
In constantly increasing volume to
ever widening markets.
Evils of Quay Machine.
But our just pride in this business
prosperity and our efforts to promote
and share in it should not blind us 20
our political condition or lead us to
forget the duty in regard to 1t which
every citizen of republic owes. A po-
litical organization, popuiarly known
as the Quay Machine" but which mas
uuerades under the name of the Repub-
lican party, and by appeals to national
issues endeavors to divert attention
from its own misdeeds in state affairs,
is seeking to extend and perpetuate
the power which il has held for so
many years and whether il will be per-
mtted to do so is the issue to be set
tied in this campaign.
There has been no change In the lead
ership, the methods or the purposes OF
this organization. The man who per-
fected it and has for years selected i,S
candidates. dictated its policy and dis
tributed its patronage is still in abso-
lutte control of it.
Those who approve of this organiza-
ton and of the mthods by which IL has
acquired and kept, and the uses which
It has made of. its power, and desire 10
have il and its leader continue in un-
restricted control, should vote for its
candidates, and assist in fastening its
power upon the state for four years
more; but those who sincerely disap-
prove of it and want TO see other
methods and purposes prevail in eec-
tions, in legislation and in admiS istTa
tion. both in state and city will IL
true to themselves and their duty TO
their state, vote against its candidates,
and so aid, in the only possible way, in
redeeming the state from its power.
Future Judged BY the Past.
Have the methods and practices of
that organization been such as to de-
serve the conscientious approval of in
telligent and patriotic citizens, or have
they any reason for believing that with
greater power and new opportunities
for wrong, its actions will be more con
sonant with the requirements of liberty
and good government than they have
been?
What way have we to judge the fu-
ture, save by the past? And what Is
the history of this organization, under
its present leadership, but n record Of
promises made only to be disregarded
and of acts inconsistent with the spirit
of liberty, in conflict with the consti-
tuition and laws of the state and absO-
lutely incompatible with good govern
ment.
II has obtained and kept power by
improper and corrupt practices at pri-
maries, conventions, general election
and the legislature ITSELF it has yio-
lated plain provisions of the cOnstltu-
ton which interfered with its plans; II
has broken the most solemn promises
TO the people when the emergency
which called for them was passed, and
1t has perverted public power and pat
Tonage to the promotion of private in.
terests at public expense
Primaries Are Farce.
Primaries held under its control have
become farce, and in conventions
delegates, even when fairly elected, are
induced or coerced by ii to vote against
the known wishes, and often .evoa
against the instructions, of their dis
trlcts. The registry lists in the large
cities are padded with fictitious names
making Illegal voting and ballot box
stuffng easy and safe.
In open defiance of the express cOm-
mand of the constitution that the sena-
torial and representative districts shal!
be re-apportioned Immediately after
each decennial census, and in flagrant
disregard of the very spirit of represen-
tative government which requires that
each citizen shall have fair and equal
representation in the law making ana
tax levying department of the govern
ment, 1t has refused to re-appOrtiCn
the senatorial districts since 1874 and
the representative districts since 1887
and the apportionment thus unconsti-
tutlonal maintained gives to districts
having but little over one-third tn
population of the state a majority o.
the senators, and to 16 counties greater
and to 10 counties less representation
IN the House of Representatives than
they are fairly and constitutionally en-
llleu 10.
The ballot law, which it refuses to
amend, unreasonably obstructs citizens
In the free exercise of their franchise
and gives to some of them an unjust
advantage over others.
II refuses to pass laws designed Ia
protect the purity of elections and to
detect, punish and correct frauds.
Ends Secured BY Fraud.
1t secured the election of the speaker
OF the house of representatives by tho
votes OF members who were induced by
It to disregard the wishes of their con-
stituents and to betray their party; II
secured by the same means the cleo
ton OF a United States senator who had
been twice rejected by the people, and
II permitted 1t will secure the election
or a governor, nominated by delegates
who, at its dictation, voted against the
wishes and even the instructions OF
their constituents and to be elected, MOI
by the votes of the people, but by
frauds committed at its orders anc
made. possible by the Illegal registra.
ton in Philadelphia which 1t main.