The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-07-04
THE PLATFORM.
Adopted by the Democratic State Convention

Democratic State Convention is as
follows:
Realizing that the fate of men,
commonwealths and nations is
guided by the will of an all-wise
Providence, and that all prosperity,
whether financial, commercial or
moral, is finally dependent upon
honesty; and convinced that good
government is based upon strict
compliance with law, we challenge
the wisdom of continuing Republi-
can rule in Pennsylvania and for
ali aggressive Democracy declare
these principles -
Knowing that the trainers Of the
Constitution intended that the Audi
tor General and State Treasurer
should always be checks upon each
other in the disbursement of public
funds, we ask all honest men to
aid that intent by electing as State
Treasurer one who is politically in
opposition to the present incum-
bent of the Auditor Genei al's Office,
so that the work commenced by
Democratic State Treasurer may be
continued and finished and so that
at least one member of the Board
of Public Grounds and Buildings,
annually expending vast sums,
shall not be of the majority party.
NAIN ISSUE PUNISHMENT OF GRAFT
We declare the dominant issue
before the people of this Common
wealth to be whether dishonesty in
public place shall cease or be con-
tinued; whether graft shall be sus-
tanned or rebuked and punished.
Believing this to be the vital
question in this State, we are not
to be led astray by the perfunctory
Endorsement of any candidate for
President in 1908, or the declama-
tory laudation of the present in
cumbent of that high Office.
These fraudulent devices in the
Republican platform, intended to
befog the issue, and the praise of
the Fifty-ninth Congress, can only
be equaled by the condemnation,
so richly deserved, of almost all
high officials in the State Govern
ment of Pennsylvania.
cAssEL's RESIGNATION SUGGESTED
We recall with shame and repro
baton the official acts in regard to
the building and furnishing of the
State Capitol, of Governors, State
Treasurers, Auditors General and
superintendents of public grounds
and buildings, and with special notice
condemn the conduct of a Repre-
sentative in that Congress who,
whilst drawing his salary at Wash
ington, was helping to loot the
Treasury at Harrisburg. We sug-
yest that his resignation would be
fitting end of his congressional
career.
We congratulate the taxpayers
of the State that by the election of
Democratic State Treasurer two
years ago it was made possible to
discover, and thoroughly reveal,
,he enormous amount of public
Funds unlawfully expended for the
Capitol Building and its trimmings,
md ask all independent citizens,
Who have regard for their financial
welfare and the honor of their
State, to aid us in completing what
.ias been so ably commenced under
Democratic administration.
We hereby pledge the party to
IN insistence on a searching investi-
,xation of the Auditor Generals
Department, which has been shown
% be no less corrupt in manage
nent than those now under the
earchlight. We condemn the ma
jority in the last Legislature for
.efusing to pass the joint resolu-
sion demanding an investigation of
hat department, and the failure of
he dominant party to assist the
iemand Of an outraged people that
al the lids be lifted.
A SECOND BERRY DEMANDED.
Noting that the Republican plat
form disclaims any responsibility
for the Capitol graft, we claim and
assume all responsibility for the
discovery and complete disclosure
Of the graft, and further claim that
the only means of securing COM
plete restitution of the loot, and
punishment of the looters, is to
elect second Berry, man who
knows no party in the performance
nf his duty except that of honest
citizenship, and who, when graft
and greed shamefully disgraced the
State, is alert to detect and dis
cover wrong doing and capable Of