Year: 1875




sion of Congress when the sherman Morton compro-
mise bill was before the House. That bill patched
up TO suit the ultra men on each side Of the
question, and is tho biggest kind OF fraud.
/ am a hard money! man. but | don't believe
in getting back TO hard money by deception.
II is question that will naturally work out ITSELF But
the currency question secondary matter to me In
the Convention. All my energies We're bent IN the
direction Of honest government IN our state. me IN
famous State Treasury Ring at harrisburg was my
special object OF attack felt the natlOnal congress
could take of the currency but we, the people
the State must take of ourselves when our OFFICIALS
are robhing and running us So wanted men honii-
mated whose honesty is beyond the suspicion OF
doubt, and know have them in Pershlng ana
Pole n these men are elected IL will be the greatest
triumph people have had since We became state,
for II viii be immediate end Of the State treasury
Ring. winch has robbed the state Of millions ON mlil
ions, and when it falls the fall OF the Phladelpha Cly
Ring will rapidly follow


Q. / hope you are right about the downfall Of tho
State Treasury Ring, but am afraid the people VIII
have grave doubts about the honesty OF anything com
ing from a convention in which two such wen known
benehciaries Of the state Treasury Ring as Senator
Wallace and Mr. William " McGrath were leading
spirits.


A Mr.. McGrath was simply delegate, and al
though he and Mr. Wallace had preference for other
men, they heartily Joined in the spontaneous indorse
ment gwen Pershing ana Polott


O. You feel confident Of the election Of your ticket?
A. Not SO confident that need not work, for the
republicans putting forth herculean efforts TO carry
the State We have a majority of voters, and. thanks
they cannot cheat US, as has been their custom


q Is 1t too TO think Of figures?





ton of the State and they all report the party in spen-
did organization The victories of last year have given
the party new life and we enter the canvass with
confidence and determination. The feeling is general
that we have everything TO gain, and If we lose
this fall it will be Generalization in the more
Important election year hence. We count
on coming to Philadelphia with at least 1900
majority but think il Is more likely to be
twice that number With all their cheating the re-
publicans in the city give more than 10000 to
their ticket On fair vote can carry the city, but
honest vote while the present officials IN power
is al forlO
split up Allegheny Lancaster Huntington and aloni
the northern tier where strang, the defeated candt
date for the nomination as state Treasurer, has
large following These dissensons are equal TO at least
5000 votes to Pershng's nomination heals all dis
sensons in party in the mining regions, which
will bring at least 900 votes buck TO us The prohib
ton candidate VIII poll at least l5 900 votes nnetenths
OF which will be from the republican ranks.


O. What are your chances tor the Speakershlp, Mr
Randa2


A. Well can hardly say am told that my
delegation will be solid for me, and from the letters
have received from members all over the country am
inclined to believe that lead any Of the candidates SO
far named.


@ The New York Manhattan Club and the New York
World free trade influences seem to be moving heaven
and earth to beat you.


A. Yes, it would so, but think the democratic
party has had all it wants of New York leadership Tho
party has been led from that quarter for the past fifteen
years, and We all know with what success.
O. / see it asserted, evidently in the interest OF
Messrs Cox that if elected Speaker you would
make the committees high tariff
A. Now, what absurdity These people know
very well that If elected Speaker shall constitute
committees the majority OF House.
Where is there Speaker that would dare do otherwise
1t is not matter of choice with him, but matter OF
compuson. He cannot carry his own individual opn-
ions likes dislkes and prejudces into such matters,
in his position Speaker he be expected to use
it for the benefit OF his own particular district lie
the OF the majority and must act to this
fact without the slightest deviation And If am elected
Speaker and fnd that a majority of my party in Con
gress tree trade shall unhestatngy recognize
the fact in the appointment of the committees. The
rule shall govern in the matter OF the cur
rency.


q Did any feeling crop out in the Convention as to
the next Presidency?


A. Hardly Some names canvassed, but the
feeling that would be necessary To have the result
of the fall elections before knowing the public pulse.
noticed one thing and that determined feeling
against the New York influence / think Bayard or
Hancock would be Pennsyvanas first choice. II these
men have show of success, think our State VIII
unite with the West in the selection OF candidate
q l going the rounds Of the newspapers state
ment that Speaker Blaine selected you take the lead
lighting the Force Dil at the last session of Con-
gress.


A. That is story made out of whole cloth.
cannot imagine brain weak enough TO concoct
such a statement My leading my party on the occa-
SELECTION was indignant at the attempt of the re-
publcans pass their infamous bill that threw all
the ardor of my soul into the fight and being an old
member and having made the complicated rules OF the
House study, naturally fell into the position OF lead
ing the combat against the experts OF the opposion
We all worked shoulder to shoulder ana by
our fidelity and courage won the light Any one VINO
knows anything of the fight knows that Blaine did
his utmost to beat us.