Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-03-16
PURPOSE OF ATTACKS

HERE is well developed plan
behind the persistent and un-
\ called for assaults upon the
three Republican city council
men that does not appear on the sur
face. Those who are guilty of every
thing in the way of untruth, except
perjury itself in an effort to besmirch
the regulations of these officials are
doing so because they hope thereby to
elect three Democratic members to
council next November. That is obso-
lutely all there is to it. Unbelievable
as the statement may seem to fair
minded men, little investigation Will
demonstrate the truth of it.
No matter what the trio of Republi-
cans do. the result is the same. Ac-
cording to their critics, the Republican
members can do nothing right. One
day they are pictured as selfish brutes,
holding back public work for the mere
pleasure of seeing unfortunate fellow
citizens out of work and their families
hungry. The next they are held up as
the tools of unserupulous politicians
bent on feathering their own nests and
taking care of their friends at the eX-
pense of the city. The day following
that they are criticised for not letting
contracts to high bidders, whereas had
they dore so they would have been
censured by the same critics for hav-
ing been reckless with the city's
money.
1t is shame that such misrepre-
sentation has to be tolerated. 1t is an
outrage that political ambitions and
aspirations can be carried to such
lengths. 1t is unfair to the council
men who are unjustly attacked and it
IS disgrace to the fair name of the
city. Harrisburg gets a black eve every
time its local government is wrong
fully censured. Those who have stoop-
ed to falsehood and character assassi-
nation in order to smooth the paths OF
their party candidates next Fall are
themselves not to be trusted. Suspi-
cion must attach to their every utter
ance and the good thinking voter of
Harrisburg would do we'll to person.
ally investigate all such charges as
have been made against the council
men before accepting them as truth
Councilmen are not perfect Doubt
less the Republican members, as well
as the Democrats. have made mis-
takes. But it is absurd to believe that
the three Republicans are devils with
pitchforks, while the two Democrats
are little angels with halos and harps.
Likewise 1t is not to be supposed that
the three Republicans, who before they
became councilmen were regarded as
men Of fair reputation and of most
excellent standing among their fellows.
have degenerated since election to the
creatures their political enemies have
described them.
Aside from that. the three RepubU-
cans who have been voting as a unit
on almost every measure that has
arisen since they took office for the
reason that they could do nothing to
please their two colleagues, have rem
dered the city some very valuable SER
vice indeed. Under their administra-
ton the water rates have been twice
reduced in two years, the tax rate has
been lowered and all the old outstand-
ing debts have been paid. New fire
apparatus has been bought, improve
ments made in the parks and innumer-
able changes made for the better in
various branches of the city govern
ment. Their policy has been distinctly
constructive. as we'll as conservative
and economical.
There is absolutely not one iota of
evidence to show that a penny of the
clty's money has been spent Illegally
or dishonesty under their direction.
on the other hand. it has been shown
that they have been giving the city