Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-01-16
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Ihere was something very much out
Of the ordinary in the conference of
the Progressives yesterday. Folks
here are accustomed to cut-and- dried
conventions and really like to see the
Wheeis ,',he. go around. Some elegant ex-
hlbitions of that kind have been given
IN years gone by, but yesterdays dis
play was unique. 1t has been much
heralded that there are no orders
given and that there is no slate or
program in Progressive gatherings
Even Lex Mitchell did not have a
schedule of what to do. This is all
very true, but the fact is that the
whole thing was so we'll in the hands
OF the men who are running the party
organization that it did not matter
what anyone did. Consequently, they
Just let things go. Witness the rising
Oh Uncle Bob" Edmiston to protest
on behalf of the farmers. They made
show of letting him have his own
way, but In getting it there was a
grand exhibition of leaders lying down
TO let the embattled farmer march in.
The real display of the grip came
when Pittsburgher offered that reso-
luton about combining primary can
dldates to one party column. Mr.
Finn just said it was not needed.
everything else was as smooth as the
conventions complained of by the peo-
pie who met here yesterday. Chair
man Mitchell has keen eye for the
dramatic and every move yesterday
was made for the maximum effect. 1t
was very pretty exhibition of how to
run convention. under the name of a
conference, and to adopt a platform,
styled resolutions, and to let the peo-
pie rule. The men in charge are to
be congratulated upon the discretion
with which they managed it. The
conference added much to the long
and interesting political history Of
Harrisburg.
Speaking of the conference, il has
Deen long time since anyone has
heard at political gathering here
VINO possesses the clearness of enun-
citation of William Draper Lewis. Mr..
Lewis. who was chairman of the reso-
lutions committee. is dean of the law
school of the University of Pennsyl-
Vania and master of the English
language. Every word he uttered yes
terday fitted in. He was never at a
loss and added to the charm of his
remarks was distinction that carried
TO the ends of the hall and which
pronounced every syllable. The deans
enunciation fairly shone amid the re-
marks Yesterday. The nearest APP
proach to him was Congressman
temple, who is also college pro-
fessor Even Clifford Pinchot, with all
his culture, did not compare in die
ton with the scholarly Philadelphian,
ana perhaps he is too vigorous to give
the care that has become a habit with
Dean Lewis in speaking.
They style Commissioner Bowman
the machinist of the city. This does
not apply to his knowledge of govern
mental affairs, which is more or less
extensive, but owing to the fact that
he is machinist by vocation, and A
good one at that. Mr.. Bowman was
FOR long time connected with the
Harrisburg Foundry and Machine
WORKS and he is being asked every
day questions about appliances which
are connected with the city govern
ment from pumping engines to auto
mobiles.
=, The humor of the weather was
Illustrated yesterday when a man
walked down Market street with a
stack of straw hats on his arm. He
was salesman getting in his orders.
but the sight of the hats made folks
shiVer. On Wednesday when the city
big stores with a bundle of blazers
and talked business while lowering
over a radiator.
County Controller Fl. w. Cough ia
having troubles of his own with his
new job, especially during the present
weeks session of criminal court. BY
the provisions Of the new law the
County Controller is required to enact
an oath from each claimant for wit
ness fees to the effect that he is not
indebted to the county for taxes or
fines or costs. And therein lies
portion of the trouble of the Con-
troller.
The other day man called round
for his witness fees.
Owe the county any taxes or
hnes?" inquired the Controller.
mo, SIR"
ANY back costs?"
"N-no. SIR
The Controller was about to 90. X"
the warrant when a thought occurred
to him. BY the way" he asked sud-
denly, what about the present? Do
You happen to owe any costs for the
present term of court?"
why, yes, sir, 1 got half the costs
of a case put on me-" sir" replied the
caller. "and that's what I-ah wanted
to see you about
The $3.50 fee was charged against
his bill of costs.
"NUMBER, PLEASE,