Daily Republican., 1881-09-12
KGlfe'R Wreck.


We like independence in politics but
not that Independence that pulls down
and never builds up. There are times
when Independence is needed and
when it does the good contemplated.
As general rule u party car re-
form its own abuses better within
itself than by coalitions and straight
out movements that result in destruc-
tion Therefore the course pursued by
Charles S. Wolfe of Union county,
Pennsylvania, has no justitiable cause
to proclaim himself an independent
candidate for Treasurer OF Pennsylvania
in opposition to General Bailey the reg
ular Republican nominee. Mr.. Wolfe
is determined, bold leader, but like
many others of his class he has already
shown that he is a very unsafe one.
Had he remained in the Republican
party, he could have compelled thai
party to keep up with the spirit of the
times and to have adopted many
needed reforms, but by his announced
candidacy for the only State elective
office in Pennsylvania he has virtually
destroyed the bridge that has always
borne him safely v over and he could not
havemore ef1ectually allied himselfto his
former political enemies to accomplish
the destruction of the Republican
party Of that State. Mr.. Wolfe viii
not attain his object. His course has
been SC uDjustitiable that the ludepen-
dent Repub leans Of the Stat" that
formerly y worked shoulder TO shoulder
with him will not vote for him nor
countenance his candidacy, and he
will only have the humiliation in the
end of seeing his rival General Bailey |
triumphantly elected and himself out
side the Republican party. The Ilde-
pendent Republicans OF Pennsylvania
made their fight against the machine
last winter and were successful in lect-
ing Senator Mitchell in place of Oliver
the machine candidate ami the machine
men all submit ed to the decree.
Not one o. them kicked in the Repub
lican traces and deserted to the enemy
on account of defeat. Then was Mr..
Wo!te's day of exultation and he ELL
joyed it, Now that he has been disap-
pointed lie should have pocketed the
disappointment like the Stalwarts did
and have picked his flint Tor anu,lcr
trial within the party lines. The late
State Convention was held in tn. usual
manner and the delegates to 1t were
elected in the usual way. So far as we
can hear there We're no charges of in.
formality or underhandG dness Every
thing was open fair aud square. Gen.
erai Bailey and Mr.. Davies were the
only cand dates for the office Of State
Treasurer. General Bailey sot two votes
to one that Davies got and of course
Vso NNSi"iCu Ice. .NulullS |
else could haze been done under the
circumstances. The majority was so
great that to do anything else than ac.
quiesce was suicidal. 1t was triumph
of the StalWart wing bur il had right
to the victory because it had two thirds
of the votes Of the convention. Mr..
Wolfe's action If justified ignores all
majorities and sets at defiance all party
rules. He may have been right and We
are rather Inclined to think that he was
when he struck boldly against machine
rule, while he was in the party, but
when he steps outside to do it ne is
clearly wrong and instead Of succeeding
t. will become but political wreck
ana like Mcclure and Forney will be
bu. u shadow Of his past greatness.