New-York tribune., 1875-10-13
PENNSYLVANIA POLITICS.


PROMINENT ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN.
iNFLuIoN NOT BOLDLY ADVOCATED BY DEMO-
CRATIC LEADERs--CRITICISM OF JUDGE PER-
smNG.
Iron rHE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUNE
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 11.-There is no de-
nying that the Democrats have made bad start in the
Pennsylvania campaign Their leaders admit this, and
each tries shif. the blame upon the others. Three
weeks have passed the Erie Convention and almost
nothing way of effective work has been done The
condition OF success was an aggressive fight against the
state Treasury Ring and the corrupt city governments
controlled by the Republicans Instead, policy OF wait
ing the expected o0dde of imitation n Ohio carry
the ticket through has been adopted the result of
deliberate choice in the party councils but because the
hard-,nOmey leaders, who alone have the ability and In
fucuce TO make n telling canvass for REFORM hold aoof
and so the contrc of the drifts into the hands o
the natousts. These men have such confidence in the
success Of tie ragmcney movement In Ohio that they
think il would be waste OF effort TO begin the fight IN
earnest here until they have the impetus OF the
pected victory in October in that State. This policy Of
delay has enabled the Republicans to take the offensive
and the Democratic press IS kept so busy wardng on
bowa that il finds no time to strike back IN politics
i'm war the chances always the side of the attack
ing party and there question thai mp to this time
the advantage in the campaign is all the side of.the
Republicans If the election were 10 be held tomorrow
believe that Hartrauft would lave 10000 majority.
Tie imitation panls in the Erie platform do not arouse
the anticipated enthusiasm Orators and newspapers
that comprehend and explain the ragnoney doctrine
are scarce so many speakers apOloeizing for the
platform that the begin TO doubt whether the
measures il proposes would afford any relief for hard
times. No prominent party leader has boldly
taken tie stump for plenty OF cheap irredeema-
bic greenbacks Senator Wallace in HIS speech
at Clearield says that the platform "dOes not
mean indefinite postponement OF specie payments"
uarf,,.
permitted the resolutions, and that tho Convention
hootcd and Kissed down proposition to insert clause
declaring that sound currency should be gold and sill
yer or redecuable therein" Mr. Wallace is candid
enough 10 say that IL those who thought he dd had
been permitted to express their views in their Ian
gage they would have declared for return to specie
payments by steady steps, but he does not
odd that they not permitted TO express
their views because the fanatca followers Of Gen.
Brinde aud Frank W. Hughes chOkcd of the sensible
and prudent element in the Convention. His guarded
and halfLcaTted Endorsement of the platform puts him
I'm about the same attitude that occupied by Senator
Thurman in Ohio, aud has the effect OF bucket Of cold
water the enthusiasm OF the pronounced ragmoney
advocates.
judge Pelshings refusal 10 leave the bench and take
the stump has seriously damaged his chances. popu-
lar candidate leading his party in dashing assault
upon the enemy what the Erie Convention promised
the Democrats but it turns out that they have got
tented with his judicial position to risk losing IL for the
possibility OF graspng the higher honors OF the Gov
ernOrshlp. True, the Judge has respectable examples
for his course. There was Judge Woodward, who ran
for Governor OF Pennsylvania while on the
bench, and Gov Bedle of NewJersey did not resign his
Jutgeship until elected Nevertheless Judge Pershing
action disappOiuts his party IL wanted bold leader
who NOuld throw himself with dash and confidence into
the front of the fight and scarcely be recOnced 10 n
general who urges Ills followers from the secure
shelter oI q bOmb-prOof.
The Republican assaults on Judge Pcrshng's record
have not hurt him much the fact that he and his
supporters have allowed Themselves tO be pushed into
defensive attitude Al that has been iaade ont asalns
hiu Is that, while Democratic member OF the IrgislG
ture during the war; he voted with his party and was
inst stupid the question AZ his feow-oem-
bers. Nr. Edward Mclherson has labored hard
to prove that Judge Pershing opposed the
soldiers Voting law, but has only succeeded
ia con; letting himself OF misapprehending the
record and OF not having the candOr 10 ayOw his mis-
take. The truth H. Judge PeBhing was fair average
sample OF "a Pennsyyania Democrat during the Rebellion
he WAS not "A synIpahizer wifh the South. he a
pronounced man. That he Is man OF honor, an
exemplary citizen anil upright Judge, nobody ven
trps deny. Against Mr. Victor f. PiOet, the candi
date for state Treasurer. the charges in Republican
organs thus Tar serious than that lac Is q
G,gJIc and Oigcse ker, and that he IS engaged In
a Law suit with his mothcr-inaw about property.