Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-11-04
Mr.. ScOtt's Opposition.

SnlOAY EVENING, NOV. 4, 1881.
Mr.. Scott's Opposition.
William l.. Scott, of Erie, is man to
whom the Democracy owe great deal
and for whom they have great affec-
tion. lie has been an earnest, steadfast
member of the party: through good re-
port and evil report, and has contributed
to its funds with great liberality from
his abundant means. His energy and
sagacity have been conspicuous and val
liable in its councils, and certainly there
Is no other Democrat of Pennsylvania
who has greater claim upon the kind
regard of the party, not only in the
state but in the nation.
1t is, therefore, with great regret that
We understand that he declines to sup
port the Democratic candidate for state
treasurer in this election. The reasons
he assigns were quite sufficient to war
rant his opposing the nomination of Mr..
Noble, and one of them, if it is we'll
founded, would justify his refusal to
support him, though he has become the
party candidate. He says that Mr.. Noble
left the Republican party in 1872,
and when in 1875 he was defeated as a
candidate for the nomination for state
treasurer in the Democratic convention,
he and his friends supported Mr.. Rawle,
the Republican nominee, who was elect
ed. That allegation, if correct, would
naturally have caused Mr.. Scott to
strongly oppose Mr.. NOblr's nomina-
tion. 1t would have had that effect on
any good Democrat. for nothing is more
disgusting than to know that 4 man
who asks office from party has previ-
ously opposed that party from no better
cause than disappointed ambition. But
after Mr.. Noble has been nominated by
the party it is useless to inquire whether
this charge is true. because it should not
affect L Democratic vote, whether true
or false. Such question was settled
when the nomination was given. The
will Of the majority of the party dele
gates must be yielded to and Obeyed
whenever 4 nomination is made of a
man who is fit to fill the office other
wisc Il party can have no conference or
strength 4; it cannot be Il party without
mutual concession in non essentials.
But Mr.. Scott further declares that
Mr.. Noble is not competent to discharge
the duties OF treasurer OF the state. If he
50 confidently believes, he is right not to
support him for no man can be required
by his party to vote for candidate
WHOM he considers unfit for the place
Fitness to discharge the duties Of the
Office lie is nominated for is 4 prime eS-
Ssntiii in Il candidate, and voter can
not H. Required to subordinate his jGdg-
me.It in this to that of the party cOnven-
ton. H. has no right to vote for an
unfit man for office his good conscience
forbids him to do it.
Bat Mr.. Scott cannot expect his fel-
lo~ Democrats to accept his opinion as
t. Me-. Noble'S fitness for state treasurer
ayainstt the endorsement of their conven-
ton AMI against the facts rs they know
them. We assume, until We have evil
dencc otherwise, that the convention
would not nominate an unfit candidate.
Then we know that Mr.. Noble has man
aged well his own financial matters, so
as to attain wealth, and thence Il fair
presumption arises that he is we'll fitted
to lie the financial officer of the state.
He is not, 50 far as we have heard,
charged with dishonesty. Mr.. ScCtt
does not infinite such IN accusation.
Nor does he Show wherein Mr.. Mobiles
unlitueSS consists. He does not suu-
port his allegation with facts and we
naturally infer that it is inspired by pie
judice. Mr.. Scott is of Il very ardent,
earnest nature, with strong feelings Of
like and dislike, readily excited. He isa
mln of emotion; and most probably has
been aroused 10 enmty against Mr.. Noble
by reasons which. if disclosed, would be
quite insufficient to inllame the cool.
headed voter.