Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-10-29
FINE RECORD OF SERVICE

FINE RECORD OF SERVICE
MO more convincing reasons for
IN the reelection of City Commits
sioners Lynch, Taylor and Bow
man could have been presented to
the people of Harrisburg than the Off
cial review of the several ordinances
introduced by the FIVE members of the
City Council since the inauguration of
the commission form of government.
Even casual perusal of the five
parallel columns must have persuaded
the most doubling voter of the practi-
cal and efficient character of the pub
lie service of the three Republican
members whose places are so eagerly
sought by an equal number of Demo-
Gratis upon an alleged 'nonpartisan
platform.
While Messrs. Lynch, Taylor and
Bowman were engaged in the difficult
work of shaping the constructive pro-
grams of their three departments the
Democratic minority were principally
engaged in placing thorns in their
official paths and otherwise hectoring
and obstructing the policies which
were outlined for the progress of the
city. OF course, the apologists of the
minority persist in stating that the
three Republicans indulged in political
by-pIay and otherwise made it un-
comfortable for the innocent and
''nonpartisan" minority, but the
voters are not so gullible as the little
coterie of Democratic bosses seem to
imagine. They have taken the meas
ure of the Democratic machine and
they realize that a large majority of
the citizens have done the same thing.
Even conservative citizens who do
not usually take much interest in
political campaigns are having their
eyes opened to real conditions. These
are beginning to understand that
Commissioners Bowman Lynch and
Taylor have performed efficient and
satisfactory service; that they have
given their personal attention to the
working out of the important projects
which have to do with the betterment
and the welfare of the community. 1t
is this class of what might be termed
the nonpolitical element of the COM
munity which is going to turn the
tide of public sentiment in favor of
the Republican majority at this time.
There is no occasion for mudsling-
ing and abuse and misrepresentation,
Just a common sense study of what
the three Republicans have done in
the way of constructive legislation, in
addition to the personal direction and
supervision of their important depart
ments, will convince the average fair
minded citizen of the fact that the
Republican majority has striven con-
sistently to do the things which a
progressive community commissioned
them to do.
1t should be also clearly understood
that the Democratic bosses are aim
ing to accomplish one thing the
creation of local machine for their
own selfish purposes. They will throw
dust in the eyes of the voters and en-
deavor to have it appear that Com
Lynch, Bowman and Tay-
lor are not so efficient or so practical
or so level headed as all familiar with
the conduct of their several depart
ments realize, but the dust-throwing
tactics have been somewhat overdone
in this city and the citizen who can
not see through the thin curtain of
false pretense is rare individual.
Republicans have about as little
respect for the "nonpartisan" scheme
as the Democrats and those affiliated
with other parties. They make little
effort to conceal their impatience In
fact, the nonpartisan feature of
present day elections is more a joke
than anything else. When an ambitious
individual seeks Office and fails to re-
ceive the endorsement of his own
party, he usually announces with q
great flourish of trumpets that he is
a nonpartisan. 1t sounds impressive
and now and then deceives a few peo-
pie. But the lines in Harrisburg are
so clearly drawn in the campaign for
the City Council that Republicans, with
very few exceptions, will solidly sup
port those who are not ashamed of
their party and are willing to go up