New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-06
Il BAD TINE FOR OgJARRELLTNG

Next Thursday the Pennsylvania Republicans
hold their State Convention at Harrisburg
lhey nave but one nomination to make that of
candidate for Treasurer, and yet according to
the reports which come from the State there is
likely to be an excitingi if not an angry contro-
versy. Two candidates are in the field. stand
ing, III would seem, not upon their personal
merits and popularity, though both are able
ana worthy gentlemen with good local reputa-
TONS but upon the old issues of contest settled
long ago and quite out of the field of present poll
ties. Senator Davies was first announced rs =
candidate. There was a warm feeling in his
favor among his Republican colleagues in the
Legislature, and this spread to the masses of
the party, that his nomination at one time
appeared likely to come about without opposi-
ton as the result of a strong public sentiment
But 1t was suddenly remembered by some
people that he was not Il Grant man in 1880
Ihereupon General Bailey, who was one of the
3o0 at Chicago, was brought into the field as a
distinctive Cameron candidate. The friends of
Mr.. Davies believing that he is opposed solely
because OF his Independent course in the Sena-
torial contest, are in an aggressive mood, and
are prepared to speak their minds in the Con-
vention ut the risk of party harmony.
we venture to say to the Republicans of
pennsylvania that this is u poor time fer stir
ring up fractional strife within the party There
Is no excuse there or in any other State for
reVlVlng questions and quaTes which have
been definitely settled by the expressed will OF
majority of the Republicans of the country
and State. No man should be supported or
opposed as candidate for Office because he
favored this or that candidate for the Chicago
nomination. Politicians who have not got over
the soreness and anger Of a defeat in a National
convention held nearly fifteen months ago had
better take back seats in the party until they
recover possession of their senses. As for the
recent Senatorial contest in Harrisburg its end
was the complete defeat of "bossismn The
Republicans OF Pennsylvania understood and
accepted 1t as such. Any politicians who try to
punish individual Republicans for contributing
to what was regarded by IN overwhelming
popular sentiment as a benefcent result will
commit an act of suicidal folly
There is no need of any quarrel at Harrisburg
on Thursday, and no excuse for any. A har-
monious Convention will be the natural outcome
of the feeling of the party, if those who have
old spites to crafty or who want to prove anew
their fidelity to old masters will behave them
selves. We do not say that Davies should be
nominated or that the candidacy of Bailey, so
far as he is personally concerned, is at all
Objectionable. What we do say is that no can
didate should be set up rs n memento of former
fractional strife. Let there be a dozen candi-
dates If as many men are ambitious of the small
honors and cmouments of the Treasurer's
Office and let the man who has the best qualfi-
cations and the most popularity win but let
there be no questions as to how he voted
at Chicago in June 1850, or at Harrisburg in
the Senatorial contest.