Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-09-05
1--WE decry the growing use of money

political primaries, and demand the en-
| forcement OF the laws to correct such
| abuses.
we earnestly insist upon a reform
of civil service which will prevent the
enslavement of public officers and en-
| ployes and the compelling of those ap-
| pointed to preserve the peace to con-
| fine themselves to their duty, which
Will insure absolute freedom and fair
ness in bestowing state and county and
municipal contracts, and will punish
any form of favoritism in granting
them; which will forbid the grant of
| exclusive franchises to deal in public
necessities, comforts, conveyances and
the recognition of ability and fidelity
in the public service, keeping service
to the country forever foremost when
accompanied by ability and fitness.
I'VE demand that public offices shall
be for public benefit and the term of
good behavior. No public employe or
officer should be permitted to influence
! primaries or elections, nor upon any
pretense be assessed upon his salary
and all unnecessary positions and sal
aries should be abolished and expendi-
| lures and taxation reduced. There
should be uniform valuation of prop
! erty FOR public purposes, corporations
enjoying public privileges should pay
for them, and schools should be di-
| NoiNtN IlOlll poIlllCb anu htpl dDoOlult-
ly free. from political influence and
control"
The Record That Condemns.
Everyone of these pledges has been
Systematically violated, in accordance
with the derisive enthusiasm with
which they were received by the men
who went through the farce of making
such manifeSty insincere declarations.
The betrayal OF pubic interests never
| was SO shameless as during the last
two sessions of the legislature. There
never was such corrupt use of money,
| SO much legislative debauchery so lit
tie effort made to correct crying abuses
and to purify the public service. Fav-
| ored contractors have reveled in fat
things, dividing their ill-gotten gains
with powerful political and official pat
rons. Valuable public franchises have
been appropriated without compensa-
tory returns to municipalities or the
state. Debauchery of the ballot at pri-
mary and general elections, never was
so fragrant and widespread. And now
it is sought to evade all these burning
questions, and to turn the peoples
the crushing record. This self-con-
demnatory course will not answer.
The incorruptibe freemen of the Key
stone State are weary of shams; they
have had their fill of illusions. They
demand the restoration and mainte-
!
ficiency in all departments of local,
municipal and state government.
Unparalleled Betrayal of Trust.
The Erie convention adopted a
sweeping arraignment of the men who
have led in the betrayal of public
trust. Therein it is declared that the
powers of government have beeen pros
| tltuted TO the purpose of public thieves
"a scathing denunciation, but one
which the facts sadly justify; that con-
stitutional restraints and commands,
the sanctity of the law, the obligations
of official oaths, and the demands of
common honesty have been thrust
aside, and methods hitherto unknown
substituted to satisfy the greed of pub
lie plunderers. That shamelessly and
openly the votes of legislators are traf-
| ficked in That the last session of the
legislature was admitted to be the most
corrupt legislative body ever convened
election of a United States senator was
accomplished in carnival of corrup-
ton. That the session closed with a
| franchise theft that shocked the moral
sense of the whole country.
For these crimes against political de-
cency and official honor, this odious
machine organization is indicted. TO
aid in the abolition of all these evils
| the effective cooperation of honest
men of all parties and all organizations
| GliittItly lIAtill upoi Tic ltlOi
OF public affairs, is earnestly invited.
No partisan advantage or victory is
sought and none will be claimed. The
call is TO all the people for the good
of Pennsylvania, the promise being
equal and just laws; pure, honest and
economical administration
An Appeal to Civic Conscience.
The issues of the campaign are there
fore clearly defined. He VINO runs may
read them. During the past four years
| they have been discussed in every part
| of the state. The time is at hand
when the record must be passed upon.
! The Geplorabe facts recited and the
history of public affairs in Pennsylva-
| MIA, for many years, teach one impress
| sive lesson. 1t has been shown over
and over again that selfish, corrupt and
| tyrannical misrule debases citizenship,
| degrades the state and defes correc-
tion. 1t can only be overthrown when
under the spur of an aroused public
conscience the people intelligently and
vigorously unite for the redemption of
government and the restoration and
maintenance of their just rights. The
and self-controlled citizen, is the hope
and sheet anchor of the nation. To
him we once more confidently submit
| our cause: to his sense of civic duty
we trustfully make our appeal. Fidel-
! ity to the true principles of popular
| of the steadfast friends of honest ad-
minstration of every public trust.
Upon such cause we may reverently
ask the blessing of the God of justice
and mercy and truth. To its trium-
phant vindication, like the patriot
fathers of other days, we may fittingly
pledge our noblest efforts, our unfal-
| tering devotion.
Mr. Guthries speech was charac-
teristic deliverance on ballot reform
and the urgent need of the purifca-
tion of all departments of the state
| government.
Mr.. Nolan responded to the address
of notification briefly but earnestly,
promising if elected to administer the
duties of the office of Secretary of In
ternal Affairs with fidelity and i'm
partiality.
LondOn's Sewer Hunters.