Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-19
THE VOICE OF
THE PEOPLE
Mr.. Miller Comments Upon
Democratic Opportunities.
Worth of Illiterate
Aliens
DUTY OF DEMOCRATS IN THE
LEGISLATURE
70 the Editor Of the Erenino Ledger: !:

To the Editor Of the Erenin0 Ledger;
Sir--The Democratic minority in the
Pennsylvania Legislature holds, at the
present time, as between the warning fac
tions Of the Republican majority the bal
ance of power, This entails upon such
Democratic minority and upon the Demo-
cratic party in the state at large a unique
and serious responsibility. In effect, the
democratic legislators at Harrisburg pos
ses? the veto power They are in posi-
tton, IL they act together to caucus on any
faCtional measure introduced by either
Republican faction and adopt or defeat it
at will, At the coming gubernatoral CAM
paiEn the Democratic party will be judged,
and justly so, according as its repre-
sentatiVes shall have risen to this Oppor
tunity
This unique position of the Democratic
minority was emphasized by Mr.. Roland
Morris several weeks ago in interviews pub
ished in Philadelphia papers bearing on
the Sproul probe bill, then about to be in
trcduced into the State Legislature. Have
the Democratic members of the Legislature,
in their attitude toward the Sproul bill.
taken advantage of the opportunity to serve
the people of Pennsylvania?
The result of the voting. up to date has
been that the Democratic minority enabled
one Republican faction to pass the measure
H. a form intended to be merely a partisan
club to intimidate the other faction. It is
true that the Democratic vote was thrown
in support of "the eminent citizen amend
ment." But there were weak points in this
amendment as drawn, which enabled the
Republican factions, with some fair show of
propriety, TO join for its elimination. APP
parently no further effort was made by the
Democratic minority to broaden the scope
of the Sproul investigation, although the
Democratic votes admittedly could have de-
feated the bill as passed. It can, of course
be said that the throwing of Democratic
votes to pass any Republican measure to
clean the party linen in public is good
Democratic politics But is this kind of
thing the rising to the opportunity so
clearly described by Mr.. Morris in his in
terviews. as presented to the Democratic
party of the state? The people of Penn
sylvanla are interested in n real investiga-
tion which will result in the reformation
of abuses even at the cost of temporary
public scandal. One of the Republican fac
tions in the Legislature has seemingly been
enabled. thanks to Democratic votes. to
threaten public scandal without the prob
ability of any reform in administrative or
legislative methods at Harrisburg following.
The Sproul bill should nave been so
drawn as to include in the subjects to be
Investigated the scandals connected with
the appropriation of State funds for chari-
table and educational purposes.
He who runs may read the details of this
ong-standng scandal II has again and
again brought such shame to the officers and
alumni of universities and hospitals in the
State as to lead TO the conclusion that State
aid can no longer be received by such in
stitutions with respectability and that,
however vitality necessary the State moneys
seem to be. public opinion demands the sub
stitution of an endowment fund.
The public would no doubt be interested
10 hear whether Mr.. Morris has any sug-
restion to make as to possible means for les
senlng this evil. Might a rule. If it could
be passed, requiring three-fourths instead
of a two-thirds vote TO pass such appro-
priatlons, be effectual In that direction?
EMLEN HARE MILLER.
Philadelphia, February IT,