Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-09-13
Mr.. Josiah Howard's Record.


tive campaign and was elected by a
decisive majority, because the best
elements in the county not only had
enthusiastic faith in his well-known
generosity and goodness of heart, in
his progressive public spirit, in his
whole hearted attachment to the in
terests of the county, in his business
judgment and ability, and in his ex-
perience in public affairs, but as we'll
and chiefly because he stood for high.
minded ideas of public service, and for
clean and honorable and square
methods in politics.
The fact that he has received a!unan.
imous denomination at the hands of
the Republican party is in itself the
strongest presumptive evidence that
he has "made good" 1t is now up to
the county to pass its judgment upon
him next November. He has made
his record for single term, and upon
the promise which that record gives,
his candidacy for reelection must stand
or fall. The voters of the county have
the right to demand of their Repre-
sentative that he be Il honest, (2) that
he be man of intelligence and good
judgment, and (3) that he be man of
courage and independence. Has Mr..
Josiah Howard been honest? Has he
shown intelligence and good Judgment
in his legislative service? Has he been
courageous and independent?
Taking these questions in order, we
assert and the assertion cannot be
truthfully gainsaid, that Mr.. Howard
has shown himself in his political life,
as always, man Of unimpeachable
honesty. The nearest approach to an
aspersion upon the integrity of his
political life was the insinuation made
by the Independent short time ago,
that his election two years ago was due
to the corrupt expenditure of his
money through the agency of party
workers The Independent gave no.
particulars whatever in support of this
insinuation, nor is it likely to do so.
Not only was Mr.. How ards campaign
scrupulously clean and free from cor
ruption, but his record as representative
has been at all times that of the most
spotless integrity. He has been honest
In the sense that he has never allow
ed any considerations of personal
or business interest to sway
his judgment. The voters of the
county should need no assurance that
his votes in the House, however he
may have voted. have always been the
honest expression of his individual
convictions.
Has Mr.. Howard shown intelligence
and good Judgment as Representative
of this county? A proper answer to
this question would involve a more
detailed review of the House proceed
lngs than we can at present give. We
may, however, mention the fact, one
very much to his credit, that he did
not fall into the error of many new
members who imagine themselves
called upon to reform forthwith every
real or imaginary evil in the state
Leadership in legislative body is not
position that can be attained at q
bound; and he who attempts such
leap, while he may enjoy a season of
cheap notoriety, is more than likely to
fall his length ere long. Not the least
part of the intelligence and good iudg
ment displayed by Mr.. Howard has
been his wise moderation and restraint.
The first term of a new member must
be largely spent in learning the meth
ods of legislative procedure; and the
wisest thing new member can do is
to recognize and accept this situation
But this does not mean that the new
member is not making a record for
himself. Every measure for or against
which he votes stands as a witness to
his good or bad judgment, or possibly
to his utter lack of independent judg-
ment. In Mr. Howard's case, a review
of the Honse proceedings during the
sessions of 1905 and 1906 will strikingly
vindicate the good quality of his iudg-
ment. Had he been slavish partisan,
he would have voted unfailingly with
the majority, and consequently his
votes would afford no index whatever
to his own judgment But he has been
no slavish partisan, and SO his votes
have always been an expression of his
own views. The general soundness of
his judgment may be Inferred from the
fact that in nearly every instance when
he voted against measure, the bill
either failed of final passage, or else
was vetoed by the Governor.
The Independent has on several oc
casions tried to make cheap capital out
of the circumstance that in the session
Of 1905 Mr.. Howard voted for one of
the SO called "Philadelphia Ripper''
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