The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-05
Ludge Stanton on the Political Situation.

Hon. w. II. Stanton, who it will be re.
nemberod, was elected to the bench last fall
in luzerne by the labor party over both the
republican and democratic nominations by a
majority in excess Of 5000 votes, has been
interviewed. by the Sunday Free Press and
gives his views very fully in reference to Lu-
zerne politics, especially the labor question
and the relative position thereto Of the differ
ent candidates for gubernatorial honors.
Standing as he does recognized and intluen.
tial representative and leader of the labor
party in the anthracite region and in county
where its first actual victory was achieved
| the views of Judge Stanton will be read with
peculiar interest and will carry with them the
influence and inspiration of one speaking by
authority. He does not regard Mr.. Mason
as an important factor in the gubernatorial
contest, believing that the issue rests squarely
between Dill and Hoyt. Starting from this
standpoint Judge Stanton boldly announces
his intention of supporting Mr.. Dill in pref
erence to either Hoyt or Mason. After de-
claring him to be "a better greenback man
than Mason, he says:
81 know whereof / speak when I say he is a
better friend of the aboring men than Mr..
Mason. sat beside Mr.. Dill in the Senate
for two years and know him to be good
man. There is nothing of the sanctimonious
| hypocrisy ofsome of the latter day statesmen
about him He is the.honest, sincere man
that he appears. A mans nationality OIL
creed make no difference with him. / have
heard some politically opposed to him cal
him since his nomination, corporation man.
| certainly always found him on the other
side. He always aided me with his presence
and support in my efforts to get protective
legislation for the laboring men. The meas
ures | introduced to this end in the legisla.
ture went to the root, and yet he did all he
could to aid me in getting them through that
body. 1t is fact that certain element o.
the democracy Of Luzerne, composed of what
| call the Know-Nothing Democracy, is OPP
posed to Senator Dill ON account of his liber
al, non-sectarian views and tendencies, anC
they will vote either for Mason or Hoyt
These democrats who so propose to vote are
men Of large capital and are connected with
the banks and coal and railway corporations
Mason is not seriously Objectionable to then
for it is an allegation not denied, aud, as
am positively assured, undeniable. that he
has figured throughout most of his life as {
corporation attorney. Col. Hoyt's chief pat
| ronage has been from the same source, and
my experience has taught me that such mel
no matter by what party nominated, will be
corporation attorneys even if sitting in the
chair of the executive Of Pennsylvania"
Proceeding to discuss in general way tn,
probabilities as to the complexion of the mex
legislature, the judge gives it as his opinion
that there would in most instances be a coali
ton and fair understanding between tn,
labor element and the democrats throughou
the state, and especially in he coal region
His reason for this opinion is founded upol
the belief that the workingnen of ever.
shade of political opinion are tired and dis
gusted with Cameronism and determinedly op
posed to further continuance of the dy
| nasty.
In the opinion of Judge Stanton the work
ingmen fully understand the point at issue
and will resent the attempt to foist upon then
either Hoyt or Mason, who he says are cor
poration attorneys, by voting solidly for Dill
who in his entire legislative career has been
the firm and consistent friend of the true in
terests Of labor The views of Judge Stan
ton come at an opportune moment, just whel
public opinion is crystalizing into definite
form, and their independent straightforward
ness will commend them everywhere to care
ful Derusal and atteption - P1fr;of