The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-04-04
THE PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION.
An Explanation OF the Contest Ia the
Democratic Ranks OF thc Keystone

lhere are some aspects OF the connict
going within tho ranks of the Pennsylvania De-
mocracy which ought To he clearly understood by the
people. The question to bo decided at the state Com
ventca the 2sth OF April whether the c the
state shall he east at Cincinnati the 2s Of June
General Hancock whether II shall be controlled by
Influences which have their origin IN another State.
Twice already has the Voice of the renns yiyana De-
mocracy declared for the nomination ot her favorc
soldier. and II would have 50 declared third time
but for the strength which the uniucky Greeley
movement had gathered. They are thus asked to re-
the settled choice Of twelve years. and time
when General Hancock more than ever embodes the
requisites which must be combined TO make the cleo
on Of Democratic President probable. perhaps even
possible.
Hut no could object n this cndcavor 10 reverse
the deliberate cholre Of the State appeared to he die
ate by desire TO suhscrvc the good OF the party iu
stead Of mefc personal Interests, and II It pur
sued by fair means. hut the intrigue to set aside
General Hancock Is dictated wholly by unadncratcd
selhshness, pursued the rule ruin plan, promoted
by corrupt methods, aided by ticaohery to the party
wherever the majority refused to be controlled by the
consprators and sustained by the fouest system Of
slandet and abuse Of honest Democrats that dl-
vded and destroyed party.
Money may be and Is used In political campaigns
for many proper objects but TO use money 10 carry
primaries Is 10 rftiote the machinery Of government
at its Yet It Is notorious that paid agents
have been traversing Pennsylvania to up deega-
tions In the interest OF candidate majority Of the
Democrats Of the country believe cannot In any
carry his State who could not he elected II nom-
mated, and who would not take the ONCE II elected
This Is but Illustration of the corrupt methods and
selfish pu poses Of those who seek to rule ruin the
Pennsylvania Democracy.
Voluntary organizations like political parties,
not exist without submission to the will of the ma
jority. The Democrats OF Philadelphia werc until
about two years ago, well organized. BY shrewd
management and strong nominations they had se-
cured control OF important branches of the city gov
ernment and of considerable patro, '.e. But as
might be expected, the leaders of this healthy and
growing party were not of the sort to be the tools of
any set of men. The two Samuels (Tllden
and Randa believed they could not he used for self
ish designs and created schismatic organ
Reforming city politics under the leadership of Bill
McAlullen Is n farccal Idea, but characteristic OF
the school OF politicians who set this intrigue work
is that they really despise the people. The object of
this bolt from the party In Philadelphia to have
contesting delegations with which, by the aid of dele
cations procured by such means were lately re-
sorted to In Ptsburg to steal the control of the State
Convention and hand 1t to Tilden and Randall.
This outrageous gouge game will be attempted the
2sth, unless the Democracy OF the State have the
manhood to set their foot upon 1t in advance
Does not the plot of this called Vaux Democracy
with Its avowed Intent of demanding admission to
the State Convention, (although the late municipal
election, In spite Of herculean efforts, supported in
part by Republicans who desire Mr.. TiIdcns nomIna-
| ton, showed that it is nothing but faction fully
prove the trcachery to the party and the rule ruin
policy charged upon Its promoters
The newspapers controlled by this set of schis-
matIcs have for months past been filled with abuse OF
Senator Wallace, and they grow more reckless and
viruent In disseminating their falseoods the Com
| veniion draws near. Consider the position of the
| Senator. His term expires on the 4th of March.
His political future Is involved In this years cleo
tions. What he naturally most ardently desires is
| Democratic victory this fall and the election of
Democratic Legislature Thus 1t happens that his
personal Interests and those OF his party coinci
dent. Folstng upon the party weak candidate
will destroy his chances. lie has therefore the
strongest incentive to seek his party's good. Is 1t
not reasonable ambition for Senator to seek re-
| election? Senator Wallace has organized the only
victories the Pennsylvania Democracy have achieved
since the war. II cannot be other than his desire to
cooperate with the prevailing sentiment OF majority
of his party and aid 1t In vigorous and successful
| canvass. Hence he is reckOned friendly to the
nomination of General Hancock. not that he Is un-
friendly to other candidates. but because Hancock Is
most likely to harmonze all the elements OF opposi-
tion to Radicalism, and to attract the votes which
will bring success.
Now, are Speaker Randall's interests specially in
voved In the coming State Convention? Is there any
good why he and his organs shond seek to de-
stroy Senator Wallace? Ought he not to be content
with his reelection and the high Office with which
he Is honoredy And is not the course his friend,
are pursuing one calculated to In Slte and provoke
such retaliation many Democrats would deplore
The only explanation which impartial men have
been able offer for Mr.. Randals course Is that he
has got In his bonnet that Presidential bee which In
fects with insanity all II touches and that he hope,
the gratitudeof Mr. Tllden will push him forward.
..F
even the merit Of consistency; for both have advo-
Gated the nomination Of General Hancock, and OPP
pose It now when all the reasons that urged II
have only acquired cumulative force. The distrac-
tions OF the New York Democracy the desperate
dtion OF the party In Virginia. Mr. Tilden's unpopu-
larity there and in other Southern States, the mpor
tance of combining the votes OF greenback and hard
money men, the fact that the Solid SOUTH which did
exist in 1876 gives the sectional issue fresh powe
for eyil-a point to the nomination of General Han
cock as the wIsest that can be made.
The chief grounds OF attack upon Senator Wallace arr
that he has raicked with Cameron about Offices. tina
he permitted Marshal Kerns 10 he confirmed and that IN
procured the rejection OF j. d. Clark supervisor
the Fifth Census District. The statement OF Senator
Mcdonald and Garland disposes Of the Ksrns sander
The Clark only needs to be understood. As ever
one knows, when tho President and Senate Of op
posite politics mutual concessions are necessary the
public business must stop. When the Census Act wa
passed II was the distinct understanding that u
| patronage should not be used for party advantage
The Senate Its right, has stood out for fai
division OF the superyis0rships. The President ha
oyerriden General Walker, the able and fair chief
the Census Bureau, and has resored to every possibl
means TO dssenson among the Democrats. and thu
divide and break down their maJorities In the Senate
Tho nomination OF Simmons OF Georgia, was on
example OF this he being obnoxious 10 the Democrat
OF that State, where he would have prostitued hi
patronage To build up the Independent faction. Il
Ohio list sent In most Objectionable to tile iw
Democratic Senators, and the whole were proporl
rejected. In Pennsylvania the best MIR. Haye
could nnd To injure the Democracy was To permit
Speaker Randall and his tools In the House to nam
as supervisors men known TO be hostile 10 Senate
Wallace. The Constitution says the Senate mus
'sadyise and consent ~ 10 these appointments. Mem
bers Of the House have no such duty imposed upon
them. Their attempt TO dictate appointments is
, patory and gross abuse Of the ''spoils system. :
The nomination of Mr.. Clark was the fruit Of In
trigue between the enemies Of Senator Wallace and
President only too glad to injure the man who ha'
taken the lead In exposing the iniquties Of the fedora
election laws. with their corps OF partisan depui
inarshals paid out Of the public funds to defraud
override the viii Of the people The organic Law
gives Senators Wallace and Cameron rights In thes
matters. Representatives have other and distinc
duties and rights, like the right to originate reyenu
bills, given them by the same organic law. Netle
have tine right 10 interfere with the duties and pre-
negatives Of the other No Senator would be worth
Of the confidence OF Ills coworkers who would not ol
pose hostile appointment Ike that OF Mr.. Clark
The character fitness OF the nominee have nothing
10 do with such case. The nomination wa
. incuraby tainted by the object Of tho lntrigu
. by which 1t was procured That object wa
20 SOW dlssensions In tho Democratic party
aud II possible break down the plan OF action by whic
alone could the Democratic Senate secure fair slar
OF the census patronage. II would seem that th