The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-03-28
HARRISBURG LETTER.
Special correspondence.

Harrisburg, Pa, Mar. IS, 1907.
Fraud in every form has been re-
vealed by the capitol probers en-
gagged in the investigation of the
charges of graft in the construction
of the capitol. Overcharges, tue
substitution of inferior tor superior
materials, false measurements, in
fact every conceivable device for
looting the treasury appears to have
been resorted' to, and but for the
accident of William H. Berry S
election to the State Treasurer this
vast crime would have escaped de-
lection and the criminals would
still be in control Of the public life
of the commonwealth.
The election of Mr.. Berry was all
accident, of course. Outraged by
an unusually bold attack upon their
property the people of Philadelphia
voted against the machine candi-
date and he was defeated. But it
wasn't an enduring reform or sin
cere conversion. Within a year
the former conditions were resum-
ed and in the face of the exposure
OF criminal operation greater than
that contemplated in Philadelphia,
the candidates were supported with
the same enthusiasm that previous
ly prevailed. The city is corrupt
and contented.'
When the exposures were first
made the participants in the crime
denied the accusations. Samuel
w. Pennypacker, at the time Gov
ernor Of the State, over his own
signature, and after careful consid-
Grafton, protested that the work
was honestly performed and the
service was just one. Beaver
county glass was used where the
specifications required imported
ware, cheap wood was substituted
for expensive wood, and dipping in
gold was made to serve for plating.
But former Governor Pennypacker
reveals no contrition.
PENNYPACKER LARGELY REsPoN-
SIBLE.
The figures representing the pro-
fits of the favored contractor are
amazing. For the furnishings in
the main retiring room the State
paid Sanderson $2I ,2I5. 20 and they
cost Sanderson only S2,oIS.oo.
The fixtures in fourteen rooms cost
the State $I56 800 60 though San
derson only paid $2e,I7o 90 fer
them. Even ii there had been no
actual fraud, therefore, the over.
charging would have been criminal
But nearly every piece of material
is bogus. The hand carving was
made by machinery and glued on
and though it is probably good
enough it nevertheless represents
fraud.
And Samuel w. Pennypacker
knew of the frauds beyond question.
he himself offered the resolution
which not only made the frauds
possible but also made them inevi-
able. The resolution in question
made the condition ior bidding that
.ach competitor should bid on every
TEN. Subsequently Pennypacker
'ersonally assured bidders that it
vas not necessary to bid on every
tenn and when the bids were open
d all those which failed to cover
perything were thrown out. That
eft Sanderson the only bidder,
ecessarily gave him the awards
nd incidentally invited him to
,lunder the State.
Neither are the machine man
gers showing signs of contrition,
asst week there was largely at
ended banquet in Harrisburg at
yhich Mr.. Pennypacker was one of
he principal speakers. He didn't
eier to the graft Charges or defend
ne criminals, and neither did any
the other speakers. But the very
ay of the banquet the facts OF
'ennypacker's responsibility for the
yauds were brought out in the evil
!ence and all the speakers, includ-
ag the Speaker of the House OF
representatives, the Lieutenant
Governor of the State and the Ad'
tutant General, fulsomely eulogized
'ennypacker. The obvious pur
pose was to fortify him against the
effect of the exposures.
STUART AND THE MACHINE.
This is most significant Incl
dent. 1t was noticed that Govern
or Stuart did not join in this chorus
Of praise. He referred to the pre-
sence Of his predecessor in Office, al
he was practically compelled to do
but he let it go at that. He mani
,aeslxy ;ntapJc fA Ea thnrnnn1