Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1905-09-29

J. Lee Plummer's rapid progress In.
to the affections of the Republican
machine managers was in reward OF
his servility. His first service in the
legislature was in the session of 1903,
in which he was chairman of the house
committee on elections. The sinister
service required Of him in that capa-
city was the unseating of two Demo-
cratic representatives who were hon.
estly elected and giving their places
to Republicans, prevent the passage
of ballot reform and personal registra-
ton legislation and promote the ini-
quitous measures of the machine. The
members were unseated the day be-
fore the close of the session, in order
that the claimants might get the sal
airy of $500 each and the perquisites
of the office.
Base Use of Political Power.
Political iniquity was never in
voled for a baser purpose. The testi-
mony was overwhelmingly in favor OF
the sitting members, and during the
inquiry offers were made to abandon
the contest in consideration of sup
port of certain legislation by the gen.
tlemeu concerned. Even the most dar-
ing Of the machine leaders hesitated
about perpetrating so palpable an out
rage. But when the offers of compro-
mise were Indignantly refused, Chair
man Plummer commanded the admira-
ton of the banditti by boldly declaring
in favor of the contestants and award
ing the seat of Francis X Blumle, Of
Cameron county, to H. II. Mullin, and
that to which Bernard ]. Ferry, of the
Fourth district of Luzerne county, was
fairly elected, to James G. Harvey.
'Plummer, who prepared the reports
by perversion of the evidence, was
the only man who defended the ini-
guilty, though 1t was assailed with
great emphasis and considerable ve-
hemence by both Democrats and Re-
publicans on the floor. Frank b. Nc
Republicans, was justly indignant at
such a betrayal of honor and honesty.
''If | felt that the sitting member from
Cameron (Mr. Blumle) was not hon
estly entitled to his seat" said Mr..
McClain, 81 would vote to unseat him.
But after diligent and unprejudiced
inquiry and examination of the evil
dence submitted, | can find no reason
for thus dealing with him." Thomas
V. Cooper the veteran and eloquent
representative of Delaware county in
house of representatives, also spoke
earnestly against the adoption of the
report, saying that he would cheer
fully vote for it if any member of the
elections committee who had signed
it would give even shadowy reason
for it or produce a scintilla of evil
dence that Mr.. Blumle was not entitled
to his seat. Neither the report nor the
speech of the chairman of the COM
mittee does this, he continued. Plum
mer's record on this crownng outrage
may be found on pages 1929 to S740 Of
the Legislative Record.
Further Proof of Turpitude.
Though Mr.. Plummer's efforts in those
cases would have entitled him to the
everlasting gratitude of the machine
pirates they are not the sum and sub
stance of his infamous achievements.
He was in full accord with all the
machine legislation and voted for the
Susquehanna river grab, which involv-
ed the repeal of the canal company's
charter.
He supported the notorious Kingston
Dam bill which was intended to bestow
on machine favorites authority to seize
the canal as well as all rivers and
streams of the commonwealth.
The iniquitous filtration bill, which
was designed to enrich certain favor
ties of the state machine and would
have put the people of all parts of the
state under the mercy Of the gang"
received his active and earnest sup
port.
Those bills were subsequently strick-
en- from the calendar of the senate for
the reason that Governor Pennypacker
served notice on those concerned that
he would positively veto every one Of
them Even to oblige Quay and serve
the conspirators who had gone to dau-
gerous lengths to help him to the CUB
ernatorial nomination the servile Pen
nypacker would not approve such mon
strous measures. But Plummer had no
qualms of conscience. He was cordially
for them and his record to that effect
will be found on pages 1920 and 1921,
! 1859, 243l to 2435 of the Legislative
Record
Plummer's record on other machine
legislation during the session of 1903
was equally maladorous, moreover He
voted for and made speech In sup
port of the Moores judges salary bill,
which increased the salaries of all the
judges in the state in violation Of the
stitution-Legislativ Record, page
BOT.
He voted for the hill authorizing the
city commissioners instead of the
courts of Philadelphia to appoint cleo
ton officers in that city.-Legislative
Record, page 900. The purpose of that
bill was to give the Penrose- Durham
McNichol machine greater freedom and