The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-10-31
Cntawissa, Pa, oct y.
Mr., Mahlon N. Kline. Chairman, Phila-

Catawissa, Pa, Oct. q
Mr., Mahlon N. Kline. Chairman, Phila-
delphia, Pa.
celpt of your letter OF October 18TH con.
tanning reasons why the cause of good
government would be conserved by the
election OF John .. Sheath to the office of
State Treasurer, against John e. Harman.
NO doubt you have requested me to join
you In an appeal to independent Repub-
hcans In furtherance of that proposition,
because ! was one of your candidates for
state office last year and for the reason of
my IDENTITY in the past, In and out Of the
est OF those reforms which you profess to
advocate.
You say that at the last two general
posed the candidates Of their party be-
cause 1t was controlled by group of cor
rupt politicians for their own selfish ends;
that the result led to the election of MIR.
Berry, the nomination of Stuart, inspired
the capital Investigation, the arrest and
Indictment of the conspirators and final
ly, the nomination OF John o. Sheath for
ally.
Mr.. Derry Alone Achieved Results.
You will pardon me IL / am unable to
agree either with your premises or con-
elusions. The election OF MIR. Berry alone
brought about the special session, un-
earthed the gigantic capital frauds and II
he had not been retarded by an unfriend-
~ administration the grafters would have
been prosecuted long ago. The numina-
ton OF MIR. Stuart was certainly no re-
form movement, for II was notoriousy
dictated by senator Penrose; while his
election has resulted In the retention in
oilice of all the gangsters of the old Quay
regime. even Stutt, who as Secretary Of
the Board OF Public Grounds and Build
lngs, covered up the grating operations
is sun clerk IN the office OF the Auditor
General, and in the enjoyment of the con-
ndence of the machine leaders Is it not
fact that the same corrupt politicia MS
are stu IN contro! Of the party, and us
ing It as before. for their own selfish
enGs?
You add that "the policies of President
Roosevelts administration have the en-
thusiastic support of all Independent Re-
publicahs," and pledge to hm FOR the
port" You will probably recall the fact
that in 1905 when President Roosevelts
most cherished policy was In Its crucial
stage, resolution pIedsing him the moral
support Of Pennsylvania was introduced
!hto The Legislature, and Mr. Sheatz voted
against 1t. only few days ago he de-
Cldred in a speech at Plttsburg that he ia
In cordial sympathy with the movement
to nominate senator Knox for President.
who not only doesn't reflect the Roose-
vcit policy but was conspicuous among
those il the Senate who were denounced
by President Roosevelt as railroad law
yerS. Mr.. Harnan, who was a member of
the House at the time, voted for tho
resolu tion-(See Legislative Record, ses-
sion OF 1905, page aA.)
The system Rather Thnn Men.
You say: I'VE regard Boise Penrose
as the centre and handspring of the group
OF corrupting, contracting and corporate
ihHuenGes which have SO Ions dominated
me politics OF the state" In my opinion
centre of this system than was Quay or
those who preceded him. The evil is not
30 much men as the system. The citadel
OF the power Of the system is the state
treasury. We have been striving for
years to destroy the system and by the
porarily achieved that result. Your prop
osit!on to elect Mr.. Sheath Will restore
the system and entrench 1t, because he
must depend upon 1t for his election. on
the other hand the election of Mr. Har-
man VIII continue the policies of Mr.
Berry and make perpetual the triumph of
civic righteousness which his election se-
cured.
You say that the nomination of John O.
ton was a concession forced by decent
Hepubicanism, unavoidably and bitterly
distasteful to the management that sought
Senator Penrose controlled the conyen-
tlon which nominated Mr.. Sheath as abso-
utsy Any He Psas dictated sI's s
lected the presiding officer. censored the
speeches and what Is Of the greatest sIg-
nitcanee, he held the organization In his
own hands by the reelection OF his pri-
vate secretary to the office OF Chairman
Of the State Committee.
You say that Mr.. shsat. is as truly one
OF us as II we had given the votes that
nominated him.
1t is a well-known fact that Mr.. Sheath
declare confidently that Mr.. Sheath is
with them. You say he Is against them.
But why is he silent? 4 mans position
Sheath take the public into his confidence
OF against Psnrose for Senator. " i
taNe In ahn
that your main concern is to re-enter the
machine organization. Recent experience
nss RssfsSt sssa Sat- that
Of the highest value. Plain business prin-
ciples require checks Of this sort and the |
election Of John G.; Harman will accom-
plish that result II will destroy the sys-
tenn absolutely and save the people Of the
State millions Of dollars
shsat.'s Record Revealed.
You say that In 1905. prior to the reform
movement Of that year. Sheath stood !
alone in the State Legislature In urging |
the passage ,ss Of banTt reform and personal
bill introduced during the ssssion Of 1908
Flynn. and i was SUPPORTED BY ali the
Sheath introduced a personal registration |
act with the apologize by request" at |
ali the time Of Mr.. shsats's membershio |
Of the House and am familiar with his |
record. He voted for . few msrttorious |
mo Ssures and against vicious legislation
occasionally. But he was not militant |
reformer by a long. way. On the con-
trary, he voted with the machine so |
usually that the exceptions only proved |
the rule OF his servility to the machine. |
Sheath voted against the Philadelphia |
ripper" but served the machine by vot- |
ing against an amendment which would |
have destroyed its evil effects
! do not concur In your opinion that the |
good OF the State will be subserved by |
a result Of tho election will promote the |
overthrow OF Penrose. On the contrary, |
to my mind. It will entrench Mr.. Penrose |
in his position as party ooss,
In view OF these facts am constrained |
to support John G. Harman for State |
Treasurer, and believe that his election
will guarantee the results which you pre- |
tend to aim for
Very truly yours,
w II