The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-06-20
HARRISBURG LETTER.


day last was the confidence ol those
who participated in its deliberations.
There was a militant atmosphere in
the hall and absolute faith in the fu.
ture. Chairman Donnelly inspires free
dom of speech and independence in ac-
ton. In calling the meeting to order
he sounded the keynote ofthe occasion.
He had favored late convention for
various reasons but in the light of new
developments altered his mind on the
subject and frankly announced the
fact. 1--WE want to meet the enemy
at the outset of the campaign," he
said. land should put our ticket in the
field and muster our squadrons for the
battle before our opponents have en-
trenched themselves
The meeting was as harmonious as
was hopeful, moreover With nearly
all the seats occupied there wasn't a
discordant sound. 1t was talka.ive e
body and the chairman encouraged the
loauacity. 1t wasn't a combative dis
cussion, however. Earnestness of pur-
pose and determination were revealed
in every speech and the common enemy
was the target of every shaft and they
were sharp and penetrating. The eff
feet was both encouraging and illumi-
Mting. No Democratic meeting of re-
cent years left better impression on
the minds of those present whether
as participants or spectators. No po-
Htical meeting of recent years accom-
plished more good, 1t has set the party
on its feet squarely for the contest
which will soon be on.
There wasn't much discussion of cam
didates, of course, but there was asset
tied impression that when the time
comes the man will be ready for the
occasion. 1t was recalled that two
years ago when the convention met the
leaders were begging for a candidate
when somebody suggested Mr.. Berry.
1t was an inspiration and something
like the same feeling spread over the
crowd on Thursday when the name of
Hon. John G. Harman. of Bloomsbury
was mentioned There was nothing
like an effort to urge Mr.. Harman's
name on the committeen en-, But it
was incidentally remarked that Col
Imbia county had instructed her del
egates for him and the response was
instant and unanimous that he would
make an ideal candidate. Mr., Harman
nay have other plans but it looks as
{ he will be the choice of the conven-
ion for State Treasurer.
A STARTLING INCIDENT.
BY a single chance the most start
ing incident of the capitol investiga-
lion occurred the night before that
Meeting. For several days previously
the testimony inculpating former State
Treasurer William l.. Mathues had
,een particularly strong and direct.
Mr.. Mathues had come to the capitol
or the purpose of offering his testimony
nd had notified the commission of his
purpose. About midnight of Wednes-
lay, however, he was found in the
State Treasury with clerk who had
een employed during his own term Of
flee and was continued by Mr. Berry,
ampering with the books. His pur-
,ose is, Of course, a matter of conjec-
-ure, but the circumstance is suspi-
,ious.
During the afternoon of Wednesday
Ir. Scott, Secretary of the Board of
.'ublc Grounds and Buildings, and
uring Mr.. Mathues' term as State
treasurer, Corporation Clerk in that
flee. was seen in mysterious confer
nee with the clerk in question. That
nhuenced some of the Democratic
mployes of the department to keep
gatch. Shortly before III j d II g h
,Iathues and the clerk clandestinely
ntered the Office. The watchers fol-
owed and found them with the books.
n the greatest confusion they pre-
ended to be examining the ledgers in
N innocent way, but the insincerity
vas transparent. Subsequently Math-
rles claimed that the clerk who was
lis personal friend had invited him in
o show him the character of the work
he was doing.
If that had been the purpose day
ight would have been more appro-
priate time for the inspection. If he
'ad wanted proper information regard
ng the business Of the Office another
ime and another person would have
.arved the purpose better. In fact,
tiewed from any point, the episode
las a sinister appearance. Documents
ave been distracted from other de-
,artments which have since been need
Il in the investigation and it is not
unlikely that if the plan had not been
iefeated there would have been some
papers missing from the Treasury. In