The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-09-04
PATTISON'S SPEECH
I: OF ACCEPTANCE
Issues OF the Hour Are Vigor-
OusIy Presented.
DUTY OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP
How the state Has Been Mlsgoverned
and the People Wronged-A Ring
ing Appeal to Patriotism.
QUESTION OF BALLOT REFORM
Ex-Governor Boldly Arraien the
Machine and Urges Unity OF
Action For the Good Of All.

hpdulHS, Otpts hio nos pNNh "
great day and greater night for Penn
sylvania Democracy and the cause of
political regeneration throughout the
State. Influential men from every
county were present to take part in
the ceremonies incident to the notii-
cation of the nominees of the Erie Con-
venton. 1t was suggestively noted,
also, that large number of Republi-
cans and Independent citizens were
present to extend their hearty congrat-
ulations and give open pledge of sup
port during the campaign and at the
polls.
In the afternoon there was n public
reception at beautiful suburban re-
treat and banquet at which enthusi-
asm ran high Early in the evening
the Auditorium was packed with
great crowd to hear the speeches of
the occasion, every expression of the
candidates being applauded with a
yigor which showed the spirit that
possesses the friends of reform in the
pending contest between the people
ana InG DOSStS, WIZ nave 81 Siull lllo-
ruled the state.
AS chairman of the notification
committee, Hon. r. T.. Wright, OF AL
lentown, performed the pleasant work
assigned him in a happy manner He
said:
SPEECH OF CHAIRMAN WRIGHT.
We are assembled today by direction
nf tha ICria Convention nrpgont IN
you Governor Pattison, and TO Messrs.
Guthrie and Nolan a formal notihca-
tion of your nominations for most inn
portant public positions.
While the convention which named
you represented the organized Demo-
cratic party, 1t acted and spoke for
wider constituency than could be COM
prsed in any political organization. 1t
convened, planned and acted not for
partisan victory, but for Pennsylva-
MAS honor. II represented and gave
voice to an outraged public sentiment,
demanding that the control of our
state shall be wrested from the hands
of those who dishonor it. 1t spoke for
all men in our state who stand for
pure, honest government and a decent
administration of public affairs. 1t
named you, gentlemen, as the instru-
ments through which our common
wealth should be rescued from the
hands of the political freebooters who
domination which has outraged public
opinion, has prostituted the powers
and beneficences of government to the
purposes of unscrupulous politicians,
and the enrichment of their favorltes
and which has recklessly and detiantly
disregarded all constitutional, legal
and moral obligations and restraints.
In the platform of the convention
that named you will be found a recital
of some of the ills that a long suffer-
ing people have deemed worthy OF mem
ton. | need not, therefore, now elab-
crate in your hearing the painful, but
familiar history of Pennsylvania dis
honor. AS | have said before in every
newspaper and from every husting the
shameful story has been told; in every
town and hamlet; at country cross
roads, in counting house and factory,
in village store and by the good burgh-
ers returning from church, the sad
story of the shame of our common
wealth has been told and retold with
indignant blush.
We have seen corrupt and corrupting
legislatures moved to their villianies
by American senators; we have seen
pay rolls padded to reward thieying
officials; our law makers make law
breaking a thrifty trade; our state
treasury temporarily looted to aid the
speculative ventures of favored poll
ticians, their relatives and friends;
banks plundered and broken in eX-
tending aid to impecunious bosses,
we have become familiar with the work
of election repeaters, stuffed ballot
boxes and fraudulent returns we nave
seen senatorships purchased valuable
franchises stolen and municipal gov
ernments ruthlessly overthrown IL
reckless contests between rival politl'
cal machines, and made the sport oi
personal ambition.
To the rectification of all OF these
wrongs you have been dedicated by The
convention that named you; that yol
will be faithful to the pledges no one
questions; that you viii be chosen y
the task we firmly believe, as we have
faith in the honesty and integrity o
the people.
AS the spokesman of the notification
committee / beg on its behalf to nov
formally advise you of your nomination
and to express the hope that SHOULD
find Judgement in the mind of ever.
self respecting Pennsylvania that sue
cess may crown the end OF your battl
To- the redemption of our common
wealth.
GOV. PATTlSON'S ADDRESS.
Governor Pattison's reception by th
vast audience was an event that viii
be long remembered. After the cheer
ing subsidized he spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of tn
Notification Committee, Friends AM
Fellow Citizens;
1t is with feelings of grateful appre
eiation of the honor bestowed for
third time. that | appear before you 4
accept the responsible place you hay
assigned me in the pending contest be
tween the people of Pennsylvania an
those who would deprive them of thei
sovereign right of honest and just self
government trust 1t may be taken a
a happy coincidence that II was here 4
this beautiful and prosperous city, S
delightfully."- located in the midst of
community far famed for Jealous deyo
tion to the highest and best principle
OF economic home rule, that the sue
cessful campaign of 1890, along tn
same lines which confront us today
was so auspiciously inaugurated. Th
spirit of patriotic protest against tn
misconduct OF selfish and faithless pub
lie servants, has grown with passin
years, as the logical result OF the NOR
reckless and defiant methods pursue
by the combination of autocratic ruler