Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-10-11

CENTLEMEN:
Replying to your several communi-
cations in regard to my record at Har-
risburg, would say that, technically,
part of your statement is true, but in
so far as it is an insinuation that l was
weak and willing tool of the Phila-
delphia Gang, you are entirely wrong.
AS said sometime ago in my state
ment of the work done by the last Leg
islature, there were six Philadelphia
Ripper bills, only one of which became
a law; three of these | had voted for
and three l voted against.
These three against which l voted
were Senate Bill al, changing the ap-
pointment of the Chief of Police of
Philadelphia from the Mayor to the
Common Councils; House Bills 1856 and
1873, known as the Ehrhardt bills, re-
fore they could serve warrants on
criminal in any district to have the
warrants 0. KID. by the Chief of Police
of that district.
Legislative Record | am recorded as
voting for Senate Bill AL, known as
the Philadelphia Ripper Bill which was
signed by the Governor, but this is
mistake, as l absolutely did not vote
for that bill.
House Bill 1873 was passed March 22nd
with vote of 123 ayes and IS nayes
aud am recorded on Page.1415 as vot-
ing No.
House Bill 1876 was voted upon three
times and voted No each time This
was test vote intended to regulate
police power in Philadelphia and it is
the bill on which the vote was disputed
and the bill was called back from the
Senate and the vote taken over again
on March Both. The roll was called
very slowly and the names of all vot-
ing in the affirmative and in the mega
tive were read off by the clerk after
wards for the purpose of each member
verifying his vote. This vote is record
ed on Page 2048 of the Legislative Rec
ord shows Howard voting No and
should settle all dispute as to my inten-
ton and my independence of the ihil-
adelphia crowd on these police bills.
have lived here nineteen years and
never encouraged or protected the
white Slave" traffic in any form and
certainly am not chargeable with do
ing so.
After had first voted against the
Philadelphia party on these bills sew
eral of them came to me and said that
they did not understand why 1 should
go against them, as they were strictly
Philadelphia measures and would not
interfere with my constituents at home.
| told them that had been Burgess of
our town for several years and knew
something about the police affairs and
absolutely would not vote to change
the present powers of a policeman,
whose duties were simply to bring peo.
pie to the Courts where their case
could be decided by disinterested peo
pie and finally referred to a jury ii
necessary. This bill, which was voted
on three times, is what suppose you
refer to as ''Slave Traffic BilI.n
The Ehrhardt Bill 1877 / did not think
very important and the other two
Philadelphia Ripper Bills took the ap-
pointment of the Director of the Pur-
chasing Department and the Director
of Public Health and Charaties away
from IF lhl
placed their appointment or election in
the hands of the Councils, and as all
the churches in Philadelphia at that
time were holding prayer meetings to
get the Mayor to do something,
thought it was just as we'll to take part
of his power away from him, as long as
it did not disturb his control of the
police force.
Now, Mr.. Editor, we are fighting a
fight for good will, as we'll as contest
ing for votes and always try to be
courteous to all candidates and do not
believe in calling anybody names, but
am no traitor as you say, and while
do not claim to be perfect, 1 do claim
to use my best judgment for what
think is right and what will help build
up our county and try to let the world
know where we are on the map.
In regard to the State Capitol, of
course, did not have anything to do
with it's construction. but it is a mighty
fine building and we can all be proud
of it, and I will say further, that 80
much has been said in the newspapers
about it's cost, that if I am elected
will vote to have the Legislature inves-
tigate the accounts and if anybody is
guilty, high or low, / will vote to have
them punished according to their of.
fence; and will also vote for such legis-
lation as will regulate and more thor