The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-10-19

that the public conscience revolted.
the Law and order Society was or
ganized as a defensive expedient by
well-meaning people. For several
years it had been the only agency to
repress vice. and Its activities were in
some measure menacing the prosperity
of the odious partnership. The society
operated through deputy constables ap-
pointed by friendly Magistrates. The
constables operated under the direction
of agents of the society and without
consultation with the police. The Publ
bill required all such organizations to
make public all its movements, includ-
ing its sources of revenue, the obvious
purpose being to enable the police de-
partment to "tip off" the criminals all
contemplated raids, and punish those
who contributed to the funds of the
society as unfriendly and venal police
authorities can.
He voted for two OF the Infamous
Ehrhardt bills, and lodged the vote
on the other. Legislative Record, pages
10S0-S1; 1414-15.
These monstrous measures were in
tended to protect the white slave"
dealers in Philadelphia. A number Of
miscreants had formed a syndicate to
recruit for the brothels of that city
and New York Their method was to
send agents into the country towns
and to the ports OF entry where, under
promise of lucrative employment, they
would induce attractive country girls
and likely immigrant girls to accom-
pany them to the dens Of vice and
crime. Once there, there was no es-
cape, and they were starved or coerced
into lives of shame. The Law and
Order Society having obtained infor-
nation Of this most awful iniquity,
set about to break 1t up. The deputy
constables were invoked and several
arrests made. The Ehrhardt bills pro-
hibited deputy constables from serv-
ing warrants unless they were coun-
tersigned by the Superintendent of Po-
lice, the purpose being to notify any
Of the white slave" dealers when war
rants were issued against them so that
they could escape arrest
Plummer was fully informed Of the
nature of those infamous bills as well
as the object of them, but he support
ed them nevertheless.
Other Votes lnimicaI to Public Interest
He voted for the Quay monument in
capital park. Legislative Record,
page 2292.
He lodged the vote on the bill abol-
ishing fees for District Attorneys and
substituting stated salaries. Legisla-
tive Record, page 1924.
He voted for all the Philadelphia
ripper" bills. Legislative Record,
pages S027-35.
He voted for the freak libel bill in
troduced at the instance of Mr.. Olier.
of Pittsburg. Legislative Record
pages 1913; 3957-5S.
He lodged the vote on the bill giving
privileges to the paper trust in Penn
sylvania that are not enjoyed by other
foreign corporations. Legislative Rec
ord, pages S4S-51.
He spoke and voted against the
amendment to the general appropria-
tion bill, offered by Mr. Greasy, in
creasing the Appropriation for town.
ship high schools from 800, 900 to $780,
900. Republican Floor Manager Nc
Claim and others supported the meas
ure, and the day after its defeat the
machine bosses compelled Plummer 70
move a reconsideration of the vote,
and stultify himself by an apology for
his blunder. Even Durham and PEN
rose wouldn't stand for such folly.
There is no record of the vote on
the motion of Mr. Dunsmore, Of Tioga
county, increasing the age limit in the
odious Judges retirement bill from 70
years to 80, but as that bill was ma
chine measure, and as Plummer had
voted for the Judges salary increase
at the previous session, 1t may be pre-
sumed that he voted with the other
servile tools of the machine against
the amendment. 1t was adopted, how
ever, and the iniquitous bill was SUBJ
sequently laughed off the calendars.