. to thisitem $552 659.26 or $817,157.22 less "been a great outcry for economy, and VOL. XL. “ ¢ DEMOCRATIC WATCHMAN. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1895. A Disgraced AN UNPARALLELED RECORD OF PARTISAN PATRONAGE AND : UNBRIDLED EXTRAVAGANCE. THE PEOPLE'S MONEY NEEDLESSLY SQUANDERED. A Few Lessons Learned from the Laie Legislature which Furnish Striking Contrasts Between Republican Profligacy and Democratic Economy—Wanton Waste of the Public Funds so that Republicar Politicians may be Held Fast in the Party Fold—A Republican Legislature that had Nothing in Common with the Will of the People. The legislative session of 1895 in Penn- sylvania will ever be remembered as the most profligate and grossly inco:npetent in the history of the State. It was essen- tially a Republican legislature. That party had a majority of 36 in the Senate, and 146 in the House, or a majority of 182 on joint ballot. So palpably corrupt and shameless were the transactions of that legislative body that the Philadel- phia-Zedger (Republican), of June 10, 1895, said the members composing it ‘‘re- turn to their homes with a record which should ensure the defeat of the greater number of them whenever they may come up for re-election, for they have not been faithful servants of the people, but mere henchmen of Senator Quay and ‘the corporations.” AN INCREASE OF 150 PER CENT. in Two Years Salaries of State Officers Have Been Run Up at a Reckless Rate. An examination of the general appro- priation bill shows some startling figures as a result of the reckless increase of salaries and offices.” The increase in the total amount of the appropriation carrted is, in round numbers, $1,140 000, and as the appropriation to the public schools is the same as two years ago, it can be seen where the money isgoing. Inthree sections of the bill alone the expenses of ‘the State Department, Judiciary and the Legislature;- the increase reaches the stupendous sum of $1,010,000, The very first item in the general appropriation bill is an appropriation ot $1.369,816.48 to pay the ‘‘ salaries of the State officers, the clerks in the several departments of the State government and for incidental expenses of said de- partments.” . In 1893 the Legislature appropriated than is appropriated this year, In other words, the ‘new officers and the new departments created nearly 150 per cent. of the amount appropriated two years ago to pay the expenses of the State officials and their departments for the next two years. This is somewhat start- ling, in view of the fact that there bad worthy objects of State aid were refused help because the State Treasury was in danger of being depleted. ' “tciris mms meee este spemsIEen ME Ammon wre Gave itseir rull Rein. The cost of the Judiciary was increased $145,400, and the cost of the Legislature $57,512. : : Nor does the latter item include the expenses of a number of nice little legis- lative- junkets which are provided for in separate items, and the sum of $32,000 which was to go to the Senate Elections Committee for the farcical contest by Dr. Heller for Senator Laubach’s seat. This charge the Governor vetoed only because it was not itemized. It will be itemized at the next session and the members of ‘the committee will then be given theau- thority to rob the State Treasury of the greater portion of this monstrous charge. The third bill approved by the Gov- ernor was solely for the purpose of pro- viding a fat berth for Republican State Chairntan Gilkeson, and the people of the State will be-sh rt about $100,0.0 for the privilege of seeing Col. Gilkeson in the office of Commissioner of Banking for two years, as that is in round num- bers the increased cost of maintaining the department under the new law. In the same wayean office was created for Major John C. Delaney by increasing the salary of the Superintendent of Pub- lic Grounds and Buildings, from $1,500 ‘to $3,000, and providing a lot of new places in the department. . The creation of a Department of Agri- culture was intended as a sop to the professional farmer politician, for which the people will have to pay the good round sum of $98,coo, that sum being appropriated~to it for two years. The Secretary is given a roving commis- sion and can employ at his discretion experts for special examinations and investigations, the expenses to be paid out of the State Treasury, ‘‘as like expenses are now paid.” The head of the department is given the salary of ‘$3.500, with a deputy at $3,000, an Economic Zoologist, whose main occu- pation, outside of drawing his salary, is the hiring of small boys to shoot spar- rows and chipmunks, which he is sup- posed to stuff and to gaze upon with satisfaction. The general appropriation act also allows him a $1,000 for mounting and repairing specimens, and in order that his laborious duties may not set too hard upon him, he is given a clerk at $1.500 a year in addition. Then there is a Commissioner of For- estry, a Dairy and Food Commissioner and a State Veterinarian, each at a salary of $2,500, besides numerous clerks and a contingent fund for traveling and other expenses of these various officers of $50,000. — PARTISAN LEGISLATION. Measures Intended to Provide Places for Republican Henchmen. One of the most outrageous bills Legislature. designated by the County Commissioners in cities of the- first and second class, who shall be paid monthly out of the County Treasury, any salary that the Commissioners may fix. The Commis- sioners have the absolute say as to the number of inspectors and the size of the salary. 6 A bill of almost equal possibilities in the way of politics at the expense of the taxpayers is the Farr Compulsory Education Bill, which authorizes the employment of an unlimited number of truant officers at a salary of two dollars a day, a bonanza for political heelers in a hot campaign. Two similar bills had been handled without gloves by Governor Pattison in ringing veto messages. Governor Hastings signed the bill, uot, however, without an apology for doing so. Positions most sought after by the re- presentatives of labor organizations are those of Factory Inspector and deputy inspectors. In order to better keep the labor organizations in the field, eight additional deputies were created at salaries of $1,200 a year, with $500 a year added to each for expenses. STEWART’'S ILLEGAL INCREASE. An Instance Where the Constitution of the State was Clearly Violated— The Superior Court Job. In increasing the salary of Adjuant] General Stewart the Constitution of the State was openly defied. Section 13 of Article 3 states clearly :— : *‘ No law shall extend the term of any public officer or increase or diminish his salary or emoluments after his election or appeintment.” Col. Stewart was appointed Adjutant General immediately after Governor Hastings’ inauguration in January. On March 4 Senator Baker introduced a bill increasing the salary of the Adjutant General from $2,500 to $4 ooo and it passed both Hoyses and was signed by the Governor off May 30. As evidence that the increased salary was to be claimed by the present incumbent the appropriation for the next two years salary is $8,000. The number of clerks in the various departments was very generously in- creased. Early in the session the State Treasurer wasgivenan #- tant Cashier EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. Harrisburg, June 22, 1893. I herewith file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, with my objections thereto, House bill No. 361, entitled “ An Act to repeal an act entitled ‘An Act to prevent the consoli- dation of competing pipe lines for the transportation of oil or to hold the con- trolling interest in the stock or bonds of competing pipe lines or the acquisition or control either directly or indirectly by purchase or otherwise, and prescribing penalties for the violation thereof,’ ap- proved the thirteenth day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.” The act of June 13, 1883, which met the approval of the present Executive during his former term, was a wise measure intended and necessary at the time to prevent a monopoly of the oil- carrying interests. The long agitation for legislation which would authorize the incorporation of oil pipe lines and invest them with the rights and powers neces- sary to their successful construction, eventuated in what was known as the ‘“ Free Pipe Line Bill > To protect and preserve the rights it secured, the Act of June 13, 1883, was an essential supple- mentary measure, else all the advantages of the Free Pipe Line Bill would have been lost, by permitting monopolies to consolidate and to acquire controlling interest in the competing pipe lines to be created under the salutary legislation ot that session. It is now proposed to repeal this act. The inevitable effect would be to drive competing lines into consolidation or to put the shippers of this important pro- duct at the mercy of the great monopo- lies which might be able to secure and hold the controlling int-rest in the stock or bonds of competing lines. When the Commonwealth conferred upon these companies its high prerogative of emi- nent domain, enabling them totake private property for what, in the contemplation of the law, were public uses, it was upon the implied contract that the public COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, } of the Board of Pardons for which he re- ceives $500 a year and shares in various other items of the contingent fund. The salary of the corporation clerk has been raised since that time from $1,600 to $2,200 and there is also allowed for enforcing ‘the laws relative to foreign corporations the sum of $1,000 which is part of the work which some one’ of the supernu- merary clerks in the office is already paid $1,400 a year for performing. For classifying, srEjngut and tabula- ting old papers stored in the loft of the building formerly occupied by the Exe- cutive Department and storing same in proper shelves, &c, $2,0co. These pa- pers consist of old bonds of notaries long since dead or out of office, and old worth- less letters, which for sanitarv reasons, if for no other, had all better been con- signed to the rubbish heap. For expenses incurred under the ballot law $3,000. This is another steal as the clerks in the office can do this work in a few days without the least difficulty, and the extra amount necessary for postage could readily be obtained from the funds for contingent expenses. AUDITOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. — For the payment of the execution of the corporation laws, $2,000. Yet this de- partment has a Deputy Auditor General who is about as much use as the fifth wheel to a wagon. The actappropriates $49,000 for clerk hire, and it will be re- membered that this is the department where the corporation laws are supposed to be enforced and where the clerks are supposed under the heads of the depart- ments to do the SnibrIne The enormous sum of $10,000 is ap- propriated to enable the Auditor General to collect information relative to taxation of persons and property, and to classify and tabulate the same, in order that he may simply make a report to the Legis- lature as to how he thinks a tax bill should be drawn, This item is only a great big steal. The clerks could get all this information without costing the State a cent, and then not be occupied all their time. Then it costs the people $800 to store should have all the advantages of the MAMI YY ata salary of $2,20=" ving came asa wa $1,400 each. Th¢ Auditor General was also given a Deputy at $3,000 and the Superintendent of Public Instruction a stenographer at $7,000. The appropriation of the Legislature is $601,871, an increase of $57,512.10. Of this the Senate gets $153 370 against $134,862 last session. The item of salary of the officers and the employes of the Senate except Librarian, watchmen and pages is given at $41,698, an increase of $10,848 over the amount appropriated for the same items three years ago. The appropriation to the House is $448,521 ¢6, an increase of $38 479.16 over the amount appropriated last session. Most of this increase probably goes to pay useless employees who were forced upon the House by the demand for places. The Judiciary of the State was worked for all the nice political plums possible at an increased. cost to the taxpayer ot $145,400 for the two years. The most conspicuous figure in this increase was, of course, the.new Superior Court of seven judges at $7,5co0 a year. The provision in this bill that only one of the seven judges may be a Democrat brands it as a most partisan measure, and it is the first deliberate attempt of the Pennsylvania Legislature to create a partisan Judiciary. The argument made to defend the creation of this Court upon the plea of relieving the overworked Judges of the Supreme Court, cannot be sustained. THE STANDARD Oli. MONOPOLY. Governor Hastings Signs the Marshall Bill—Governor Pattison’s Stand for the Interests of the People. The effects of the iniquitous Marshall Pipe Line Bill, which was passed to e1a- ble the Standard Oil Company to gobble up all competing lines have already be- come too apparent to need further refer- ence. The Governor signed the bill with an explanation and an apology. The people. however, are now paying the piper in the greatly increased price of oil. Before it passed and was signed refined oil could be bought for five cents per gallon; it is now fifieen cents a gallon and likely to go higher. When Governor Hastings says that under the act of 1883 the sale of a pipe line which competes with another is ab- solutely forbidden, and that said act would prevént non-paying and useless pipe-line companies or individuals from selling their stocks, their bonds, or their corporate franchises to any persons, or any corporation that may be willing to buy them. he evidently does not want to remember that Section 1 of the Act says distinctly that competing lines can- not buy each other out, but it does not passed during the session provides for | prohibit the sale to parties not competi- the appointment of inspectors of scales, weights and measures, and under its tive. The act refers only toany corpora- tion, association,partnership orindividual terms the people of Philadelphia, Pitts- | and prohibits such from acquiring, pur- burg and Allegheny are at the mercy | chasing, or leasing a competing pipe of a few politicians. The old law, pro- viding for sealers of weights and meas- ures which was one of the first things to fall before the reform wave of 1882, was respectable compared to the present measure. The new law places unlimited power in the hands of the County Com: missioner which combined with a fac- tional Governor, can be utilized to create powerful political lever. The bill pro- line or operating such competing line, or controlling the stock or bonds of such competing line. he act applies only where there is competition and the Governor and his advisers knew it. In order that the people may judge of the difterence between a Governor who served them and one who serves the cor- porations and the most gigantic monop- oly known, we quote Governor Pattison’s competition thus created and promoted. To deprive them of this advantage by such legislation as is herein proposed would, in my judgment, be unfair, unwise and against sound public policy, and I am especially unwilling to approve it in the face of the earnest protest which has reached me from great numbers of citi- zens directly affected. RoBT. E. PATTISON. LOOTING THE TREASURY. A Convincing Array of Facts which Prove that the Public Money is Being Needlessly Squandered, While every official at the State Capi- tol is paid about twice as much money for his services\as’ he really earns, and while the work could be far better done at less cost and by employees thoroughly competent, which political appointees, as a general thing are not, and while every department could easily dispense with at least one-third of its present force, it being remembered that the departments had a great many unnecessary employees even before the present acts increasing the number were passed, yet the general appropriation act is full of items for extra compensation for work in the various departments for which the employees are more than well Dad by their salaries. Following are a few sample bricks of the way in which unnecessary offices have been created for needy politicians, and money drained from the Treasury on fictitious pretexts: STATE DEPARTMENT.—Indexing the pamphlet laws and titles of corporation, $300. This work is usually done under the direction of the Chief and Corpora- tion Clerks, by the clerks in the depart- ment. After ihe adoption of the Consti- tution $1,000 was allowed for the laws and the same amount for corporations, but since then the clerical force in the office has been largely increased. The salary of the chief clerk was raised fiom $1.89 vides that the Foveviop shall appoint inspectors as may be such number o veto of this same pipe line bill : to $2,200 a year and he 1sasso the clerk oo? V9 VV VIVA flowers are needed for the Governor's receptions they have to be bought. Then comes the Secretary of the Board of Public Grounds and Buildings at a salary of $300, which duties the clerk and bookkeeper should assume without extra pay. Then we have $1,000 for renovatin specimens for the museum of Natural history, which the Economic Zoologist at $2,500 a gear will get, and so on through the list. At every point the effort is plain that the State is to be robbed at all hazards. DEFEAT OF APPORTIONMENT. With a Stupendous Majority the Republi- cans Failed to Comply with the Pro- visions of the Constitution. Amid so many flagrant acts of omis- sion of which the last Legislature was guilty, none will stand out more clearly, or bring more disgrace od the Republican party than its failure to obey the clear mandate of the Constitution, and pass Congressional, Senatorial and Legisla- tive apportionment bills. For almost two decades, this duty has rested heavily upon the Legislature of this State, but never has it performed it as the Consti- tution directs. During Governor Patti- son’s terms he returned bilis without his approval giving constitutional and con- vincing reasons for his vetoes. At the last session with the phenomenal majority of 146 votes in the House and 36 majority in the Senate and an Executive elected by a tremendous plurality and of the same political faith, the Republicans were totally unable to perform this duty. The bills as presented were of the most partisan character, disfranchising Demo- crats on every hand, gerrymandering the State, and failing to make the districts compact and contiguous as the law re- quires, and were for these and many other good reasons strenuously opposed by the Democrats, who had the Constitu- tion back of them and whose love of fair away the old papers of this department Harman Yerkes for Superior , udge £ we fof (\o¥ ] Gute Judge ! Y= 4, en) F-Meyers hiDiaae hist from the basement of the executive building, which is $1,200 less than it cost the State Department for similar ser- vices. Both items are entirely unnces- sary. TREASURY DEPARTMENT.—The clerks in the Treasury Department get $25,800, and yet $2,c00 additional is appropriated for transferring and re-indexing accounts of corporations, $300 for moving papers, books, &c., and $500 for electric fixtures and fans.. : DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS. —Here we have $35,000 for contingent ex- penses, $12,0co for traveling and other incidental expenses of the Bureau of In- dustrial Statistics, and the sum of $10,000 for the collection of the tax statistics as required by the Act of May 9, 1889, P. L. 157. When the sum paid the clerical force of this department is remembered to be $63,000, the enormity of the above items is apparent. Then it was discovered that the bound- ary line monuments between Pennsyl- vania and other States were out of re- pair, and $2,000 was appropriated for ex- amining them and repairing them. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC GROUNDS AND BuILDINGS.—Major J. C. Delaney gets $3,000 a year for acting as Superin- tendent of Capitol Grounds, etc. His bookkeepelr gets $1,500 a year, but he has a hard time occupying his time. There is $900 a year fur a mechanic, but no one knows what he does ; a night watchman at $900 a year and a gardener at $1,0c0; an assistant gardener at $900 a yearand a Sergeant of Police at $1,c00 a year ; five policemen at $go00 a year each, and two elevator men at $920 a year each. Inthe above items $1,500 would have been a large salary for the work which the Superintendent does, and his predecessor got no more. Then follows the item of $12,500 to keep the grounds in order and repair the same, being a big chance for a steal. Then there is a contingent fund of $3,000 a year. Then a rose propagating house at $1,800. There is s~arcelv ever a flower there which is worth anything and when 9999999999099 90 VVVVVN play would not pérmit them to support CORRUPT AND SORDID. THE LAST LEGISLATURE CONDEMNED BY A REPUBLICAN AUTHORITY. MONOPOLIST JOBS PREVAILED WHILE LEGITIMATE LEGISLATION WAS ALTOGETHER IGNORED—THE PHILADEL- PHIA LEDGER TELLS SOME GALLING TRUTHS REGARDING THE ‘‘ TRICKS AND DEVICES ’’ OF REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS —A SCATHING CRITICISM. That the late State Legislature merited the condemnation of honest Republican opinion as well as of Democratic senti- ment is amply evidenced by the adverse criticism of the intelligent Republican press. Every vote at the approaching election that is cast for the Republican candidates will be an endorsément of that reckless and disgraceful Legislature. Every vote cast for the Democratic ticket will be a rebuke, and*a demand for honest State government. _ The Philadelphia Public Ledger, Republican, had this to say about the essentially Republican Legislative body in whicn the interests of the people of Pennsylvania were recently misplaced : Whatever. the .majority of the Legislature nf Pennsylvania could do, either by acts of commis- sion or omission, to make the adjournment of that body gratifying in the highest degree to its Songiitusncs: it did, and the end of no session of the General Assembly has been received with such a profound sense of popular relief as that ot the last. There has been no recent Legislature of this Commonwealth of which there were not some members of Senate or House who were not either morally or intellectually incompetent, and no majority of which it can be truly said that all its acts were inspired solely by public policy. Among the Senators and Representatives of pre- vious General Assemblies there were some cor- rupt, sordid men, or reckless, unscrupulous par- tisans who put before their duty to the State their own venal. selfish interests or the assumed inter- estsof their respective parties. Men of this class frequently controlled legislation and exerted a powerful influence detr mental to the people ; in the Legislature which adjourned Saturday men of this character were in evidence in much of the legislation which was consummated. They did not represent the Commonwealth; they repre- sented themselves or party. Another large and influential class of the members of this Assembly | was composed of the political henchmen of rival olitical Bosses who have been recently contend- ing for the control of the Republican ‘ Machine" ofthe Stateand city. The men of this class, with a cynical disregard of and contempt for public policy, which has been seldom, if ever, so reck- essly or unscrupulously exhibited, ranged them- selves upon cpposing lines to pass or defeat measures of the first importance to the people of the Commonwealth. They did, or refused to do, as legislators of Pennsylvania, not what their constituents demanded they shonld do or leave undone, but what their respective political Bosses ordered them to door notdo. The con- sequence was that between these two classes of Senatorsand Representativesthe Commonwealth was represented by au ineffective minority of honest, public-spirited men, who were unabfe to accomplish desirable legislation, or to prevent the consummation of a great deal which was mischievous and pernicious, * #* * =» In a subsequent issue the Ledger said: Reviewing the work of the Legislature some- what in detail, it appears that it is not to be con- demned merely for its sins of omission, which were many an ievious, but for its sins of com- .mission—the pa¥sage of acts intended to promote or create corporation monopolies. At the open- ing of the session there was a great demand for economy, because of the falling off in revenues, and Governor Hastings vetoed a few bills to show A TREASURY SCANDAL REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS ARRAIGNED BY REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPERS. B. F. MEYERS’ HONEST STAND WHILE REPUBLICAN STATE TREASURERS ARE PILLORIED FOR FARMING OUT PUBLIC FUNDS, HE DECLARES THAT ALL INCREMENTS BELONG TO THE PEOPLE—HEYWOOD IS SILENT ON THE SUBJECT. As between the Democratic and Re- publican candidates for State Treasurer the voters of Pennsylvania should have no difficulty in determining their prefer- ence. The position of the Democracy is set forth with emphatic distinctness in the address of Hon B. F. Meyers in ac- cepting the nomination for State Treas- urer. He strikes at the root of the flagrant mismanagement that has char- acterized the office under its Republican nmbents: In his address Mr. Meyers said : Gentlemen of the Committee : Althoufh the nomination for the office of State Treasurer tendered me by the late Democratic State Convention was made contrary to my wishes and hepe, I feel it to be a public duty to obey the behest of my party. Neither the honor conferred nor the responsibility imposed by this nomination 18 to be lightly regarded. Be assured that I appreciate both in their full and complete significance. It will hardly be expected that in ac- cepting ‘a nomination the nominee will enter upon an exposition of the principles and policies set forth in the platform of his party. It will be sufficient for him to say that he gives them his endorsement and support. 1 will, therefore, content myself with saying that I most cordially approve the platform of principles adopted by the late Democratic State Convention. The duties of the State Treasurer are simply and purely ministerial, but asa member of the B6ard of Revenue Com- missioners, and as the financial agent of the Commonw:alth, that functionary should not hesitate to make such sug- gestions and present such plans from time to time for the consideration of that Board as he may believe to be calculated to benefit the revenues and at the same time alleviate the burdens of taxation. He should see to it that the laws regu— lating the administration of the finances of the Commonwealth are implicitly obeyed. He should regard all incre- ment of the funds in the Treasury from whatever source as accruing to the Com monwealth, and not as his personal per- uisite or as the spoils of party. To these views thus briefly outlined I may be permitted to add that those who offi- cially control and direct the levying and disbursement of the revenues of the Commonwealth should, in their reports to the Governor, call attention to the importance of the abolition of all un— necessary and useless offices and tlie payment of all public officials by fixed salaries instead of fees. Not only is the abuse of the fee system a great hardship the State and county officials were made DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES. such unjust measures. The Democrats, with a membership of only 29 in the House, while the Republicans ‘had 175 are now charged by the latter with be- ing responsible for the Republican failure to do their sworn duty in this matter and pass the bill through the House of Rep- resentatives. Their logical position is, that they cannot legislate or obey the Constitution, which they are sworn to support, unless they have every member in both branches of the Legislature. = The people wil” y, however: ‘Since vou Republicans. 182 majority on joint ballot, you ought have been able to legislate without t. assistance or even against the oppositic of the Democrats, and failure to do so can only be properly charged to your incompgtency or to the disgraceful influences at work in your body.” NEEDED CHARITIES NEGLECTED. Jobs and Jobbers Had to be Provided for and Humanitarian Efforts were Therefore Ignored. An examination of the laws of 1895, and a comparison of them with those passed at the session of 1893, will show that the appropriations to charity hos- pitals and various benevolent institutions were largely cut down, and the acts which failed to pass or bgcome laws and which were most needed for the public improvement were neglected altogether. Almost every section of the State where such institutions exist will realize that the last Legislature, while phenom- inal in its expenditures and waste, failed to do its plain duty, and approvriated the money to each respective section to which it was entitled. Space will not permit the giving at length the institutions thus rr or those places where the people’s money could have been judi- ciously expended, but a casual exami- nation of the acts of 1895 will convince anyone of the truth of the above state- ment. the Legislature that he would nent countera=ce Rena But ~ev tha & ci 8 ae eee. IRIE WRSEONCE LL. Asi, gD the plea for economy thus lest some of its force, it was used effectively to cut off some appropria- tions that should have been made. On the other hand, the greatest extravagance was exhibited in other directions, and unless Governor Hast- ings should again use his veto power much of the money of the State will be squandered on un- worthy objects. The Legislature *® * # increased the the Government more than $8o0o,cco This in- crease amounted to more than 150 per cent , and was due in part to the increase of offices # * » The University of Pennsylvania had its appro- priation cut down from $500,000 to $2c0,000 not- withstanding the liberal offer to double the ai given by the State. . . # The oh delphia School bill was def-ated through the tricks and devices of small politicians. * # On the other hand, these same influences passed the Superior Court bill in such form as to give the mincrity party only one out of seven Judges, which is manifestly unfair. . But it was by sins of commission that this Tegisiatute registered its character. It passed and the Governor signed a Pipe Line bill which enabled the Standard Oil monopoly to tighten its bold and make millions of dollars in a few weeks, = ® 8 THE BOODLE BRIGADE. Some of the Reasons why the Republican Party has a Grip on the State. There were in the last House of Rep- resentatives a number of members who were known as the ‘Boodle Crowd.” No bill could get their support unless the question, ‘““‘How much is there in it?” was satisfactorily answered. Boss Ma- gee, of Pittsburg, did as he pleased ; got all the legislation he wanted and got the Governor to sign every bill he was inter- ested in. Certain representatives had their pock- ets stuffed with railroad passes all the time, and an office was opened at Har- risburg for the confessed purpose of ad- vancing legislation desired by the Stand- ard Oil Company. Paid agents of railroad companies sat in the Senate and furnished to members in that and the adjoining House free passes as occasion® required. If the voter would stop for a moment to think, he would discover in these facts some of the main reasons why the Re-' publican party has such a grip on this State. Itlis because of the cohesive pow- er of plunder. The corporations recog- nize that the return of the Democratic party to power in Pennsylvania would mean exact justice to all and special fa- vors to none, and they, therefore, prefer to stick by the party which is for them at all times, at all hazards and at the ex- pense, in a large majority of cases, of the rights of the people. “ A10 PER CENT. INCREASE. The Thomas iron Co., of Allentown, Makes its Employees Happy. Evidences are forthcoming every day of the continued prosperity in industrial affairs, under the encouraging auspices of a Democratic administration. On the 16th inst. the Thomas Iron Company, of Allentown, announced another 10 per cent, increase in the wages of 350 of its employees atthe works at Hokendauqua. This is good news, and was received with a great deal of satisfaction by the em- ployees. This is an eloquent argurient for Democracy that the Pennsylvania voters should heed. appropriations to the Executive Department of to the fe ind btit if the fees now paidto a part #f ‘“e revenues ofthe Common- ation wis. they arc now obliged ju; bear. peg tesies you have extended, and share with you the hope that a brighter and a better day is about to dawn upon the politics of our beloved State. Here's Another Picture. Compare this intelligent and patriotic declaration of principles with the greed and spoiliation that have worked the ad- ministration of successive Republican * | State Treasurers for so many years. So brazen has been the cheat played upon the people that the most partisan of Re- publican newspapers have been com- pelled to cry “stop thief.” The bare- faced jobbery of the office is no more pro- nounced just now than it has ever been, but special attention is called to it by the failure of State Treasurer Jackson to turn over its share of the school fund to Phila- delphia Read what Republican newspapers say of the policy and practices of Republican State Treasurers: Philadelphia Press, October 9. THE INTEREST ON PUBLIC MONEYS. The refusal or failure of State Treas- urer Jackson to nay to this city the bal- ance cf the school fund appropriation due at the end of last June is amazing. Nat- urally it is causing much adverse criti- cismof the State Treasurer in the absence of any explanation from that official. It has been boldly asserted that the reason the money has been. withheld from the city so long after it was due, and in spite of City Treasnry Oellers’ re- peated requests that it be paid, is that it could be kept in favored banks here and there in the State which were doubtless paying interest to somebody for it. Whethet this be the reason or not Treas- urer Jackson has certainly, by his delay, tforced a renewed discussion of familiar old question of interest on the State moneys deposited in various banks. It has been talked over and done over many times without resulting in any- thing ; but sooner or later something will be accomplished. Chairman Quay may put it in among his other proposed re forms and insist upon a change. The city of Philadelphia, which carries a considerable balance in the banks all the time, adopted the policy some time ago of exacting interest on such deposits, aud the interest is paid into the public treasury. not into the pockets of individ- uals. Why should not the State have the same advantage from the money which it keeps in different banks? The public has no definite knowledge that interest is now paid by the banks on the State deposits, but when allegations are made that such is the fact they are not denied. What is known, however, is that no interest on such deposits is paid to the State, while if there is any interest to be paid at all it clearly belongs to the State. There is something of a scandal in Pittsburg at this very time growing out of the payment of interest on public moneys to private parties, or, rather, to If such is the practice with the State moneys—as has been cften charged and never, so far as we know, denied— sooner . or later there must surely be scandal, if not worse. This is an era of reform, and all abuses of whatever nature must -come under its influence. The State is carrying many miilions in the shape of bank deposits all the time. In- terest on this, even at a low rate, would I thank you most kindly for the cour- officials who had no right to receive it. °
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers