New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-04
PENNSYLVANIA POLITICS.
A TALK WITH JUDGE PERsHING.

hEAsUREs-A LITTLE UNSETTLED ON FISANCE'
PROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 3.-The Democratic
nominee for Governor Of Pennsylvania lives In
spacious stone cottage, that stands on the slope OF
steep hill in the western outskirts OF the little City OF
Potsvie. The location apparently chosen for the
beautiful prospect which 1t affords Of twenty miles OF
mountain ranges on which the cloud shadows make fan
tastic and everchangng forms, and OF the busy town
crowded into the valley below The house its surround
ngs and its furnishing show that the possessor Ia gen.
tleman OF taste and refinement and II possessed OF mod
crate competency. Judge Pershing If man OF medium
stature rather slightly built with thin, cleareu fea-
lures keen eyes, and hair vergng into gray His calm
and deliberate way Of speaking and dignfed bearing
give him Judicial aspect that is heightened by his clean
shaver face and the goldrimmed spectaces which he
always wears little in his looks and still more in his
manners, he resembles Charles r. Buckacw.
The Judge at home yesterday. Although he had
previously determined say nothing for the newspapers
beyond what he had said in his letter Of acceptance he
glad OF opportunity to refute the false charge
made against him by Republican orators and newspapers
OF having opposed the Soldiers Voting bill while mem
Der Of the Legislature. In relation to his action on that
bill he said:
THE JUDGES COURSE or THE SOLDIERS VOTING
"Tbe first law allowing Pennsylvania soldiers to vote in
their camps passed during the of 1912. II re-
manned upon the statute-books and in 1889 was
scrbed with the election law passed under the Con
stituton OF 1888. In 1s47, during the Mexican war;
soldiers under this law but the returns were
received from Mexico too late to he counted The law
renamed unchanged, and in 1851 the soldiers voted
again by virtue Of its provisions. Their votes elected
Democratic Sheriff. Recorder, and member OF Assembly
in Philadelphia. The election was contested, and in
1862 Republican judge declared unconstitutional u
law that had been unquestioned for half century AT
the time there a contest in Luzerne County,
which carrie up to the supreme Court, aud that
tribunal also decided tho law TO he unconstitutional,
Judge Thompson, aferward ChefJustice dis
senting The only way, then. TO give the
franchise 10 the soldiers TO amend the Con-
stituon aud that required the vote OF two successive
Legislatures aud subsequent ratification by the people
I was member of the Judiciary Committee which re-
ported the amendment the session Of 1868 II passed
the House unanimously. In the session Of 1864 we
passed it the second time with onlytwO dissenting votes
One given by member who had been in the army,
and who thought II would he impossible TO have fair
election in camp Several OF Our Democratic members
at first disposed to oppose the amendment on this
ground. We had to consider the question, and
made a speech in support of the amendment, on the
ground that it was right that the who fighting
in defense OF their country should have voice in the
choice of their civil officers. proposition was made to
submit the amendment the regular election in Oco-
her II this had been DONE the soldiers would have had
vote that year. voted for special election IN Au-
gust This carried the election held the amend
ment ratified, and called together
in extra session the month to frame
a law to carry ont its provisions. Both branches
of the Legislature then Republican The bill first
reported to regulate elections in military camps appeared
TO me to he designed facilitate fraud, and voted
against it, after Offering number OF amendments The
improved the bill somewhat and IT then was sent
to a conference committee Of which was member. We
reported modified bill, which still Objectionable to
me in era respects but voted for it because IL was
the best We could get. anxious that the bill should
not fail and preferred have the soldiers vote under
faulty law rather than that they should be any longer
deprived OF the franchise That is the record. and do
not understand how in the face OF II, anybody can do
me the gross Injustice to say that opposed to Civ
ing our soldiers the right 10 vote"
HI, TRIUMPHANT ELECTION N 1872.
After further tali this subject. in which the
Judge showed the sensvcncss ri who has never
become accustomed to the rough and tumble struggle
and mud-throwing of political canvass. he told how he
came be elected Judge in 1872 over the regular Demo
cratic nominee He said he was inst asked by epresen-
taes OF the Labor Reform Organization To num- but re-
clincd Then five leading members of the Bar urged hl
TO he q candidate He again declined but subsequently
consented to the OF his name If 1t involved him in no
obligations make political canvass FOR the position
He did not regard the u1gcship properly politi-
cal office. and thought il should be kept outside
OF parry contests. soon after he went To COLORADO
with Senator Scott, and spent month there. In
the mean time excitement ran high. The Labor
Reformers nominated him. He was brought before the
Democratic Convention but beaten by Judge Ryan,
who thus became the party candidate for reelection The
Republican Convention made nomination. Judge
Ryan was unpopular account and the result OF
the campaign the election of Juage Persiing by
g. 800 majority while the regular Democratic ticket for
other Offices had over 400 majority.
WHY He WILL NOT ENTER THE CAMPAIGN.
With regard to his refusal resign his seat on the
bench 10 enter the campaign this Fall, the
Judge smoke without Two considera-
tons he said have led INN to his dccson-respect Tor
what appears 70 be the unanimous desire OF the peaple of
his judicial district well as the advice OF his per
sona friends ana feeling that il il his duty To continue
to perform the judicial functions with which he has been
intrusted aud not desert his post to seek for higher
office. The business o his courts is exceedingly comp
Gated he said on account of the many suits involving
the title lands which considered worthless,
but by the discovery OF coal them have become OF
great value. Lawyers and ltigants appear alike I'M
willing To have him resign.
inquired il il is possible that anything might occur
that would him TO reconsider his determination
and enter the canvass. He replied that the only thing
that would lead him to change his purpose would he
attacks upon him. which il appeared essential, in justice
10 his party and himself that he should meet personally
The ground being thus cleared of matters personal to
the Judge a candidate, some expression OF opinion
from him the chief question involved IN the canvass,
that of the cureucywaS sought aud the subject OF the
Eve platform was therefore preached
CONVERTED 10 MILD INITIATION OPINIONS.
We'll don't know | have anything to say on hat
subject" the Judge remarked docs not my letter Of
acceptance cover the ground iulyP
'Not as fully could he wished. You are aware that
there are opposing views of the nature Of the green
blackstone that they promises to pay gold and ought
to be redeemed as soon : possible; the other that
they are money per Sc and that the Government
Is never bound TO redeem them In your letter you
mako dstfnction between a bank note aud a Govern