AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PENNSYLVANIAN
the subject of our conversation (the calling of an extra session for the consideration of a Greater Pittsburgh Bill) and am confirmed in my opinion that it would be a great mistake to call the legislature together either for that or any other purpose unless in a case of extreme emergency. I know that there are some matters of legislation, including that for a Greater Pittsburgh, which you would like to see consummated during your term as governor, but I doubt if these things could be accomplished through the medium of the present legislature. Next spring matters might be in such shape that it would be advisable to call an extra session, but to do so now I would regard as extremely impolitic. I hope you will pardon me for thrusting my view upon you in this way, but the best interests of the state and party will be bestsubserved by following this plan.
- With great respect, I remain, very sincerely yours,
- George T. Oliver.
- With great respect, I remain, very sincerely yours,
My dear Governor:
Rumors are flying all over the state that great pressure is being brought to induce you to call the legislature in extra session. That you will not be led into such a cruel trap I feel most confident. No true friend of yours or of our party will advise, much less urge, you to commit such a crime against yourself or the state you love so well. Men who take shadows for substance, men who place self above their party, their state, and our nation, may for personal reasons want an extra session, but no true friend of Pennsylvania will ask you to commit such a blunder. What justification can be put forth to warrant such a call in the face of existing conditions? On you alone will fall the odium that such a session would result in, for I tell you, Governor, you could no more confine the members of the house to the specifications in your proclamation than you could change the course of the heavenly bodies, so please don't be persuaded by the Syrians who would, for the sake of some personal gain, lull you to a destructive sleep. Every one in Pennsylvania knows that you favored, and now favor, the decent things so earnestly advocated by our dear departed friend, Colonel Quay. Every one knows that it was through no fault of yours that personal registration, uniform primaries and the apportionment of our state failed, therefore, don't permit the enemies of those natural Republican principles to use you to wash their filthy garments on the floor of the House of Representatives.
