Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-08-21
Gai,la;tet flltelligencel
MONDAY EVENING. AUG. q, les2

E.alatdslEt ElllCllS4EUCEl.
MONDAY EVENING. AUG. 81, lee2
The Congressional Field.
There are reliable indications that the
delegation from Pennsylvania in the
nexs House will materially differ from
the present one sided representation, the
Republicans having nineteen members
and the Democrats only eight. The
average Republican majority in the state
during the past ten years, or since the
last apportionment was made, has not ex.
ceeded 10000 in an average total vote of
over 600 900. In all fairness and decency,
therefore, the Democrats are entitled to
twelve or fourteen members of the
House, but the state has been so william
Ously gerrymandered that it has been
difficult for the party to hold one. fourth
Of the delegation. In the coming con-
test, however, a combination of circum-
stances render it likely that the political
complexion of the delegation will be
nearly il not quite reversed. A glance
over the field as it stands will prove
timely and interesting.
1t is notorious that Philadelphia 8
dissatisfaction with the city's proverbi-
ally weak Republican representation on
the floor of the House grows deeper
every year, and there are signs of stern
and decisive revolt this year, particularly
in the First (Bingham's) and Fifth
(Harmer's) districts. The movement in
opposition to the return of these men,
bers is not strictly an Independent Re-
publican movement it is the work Of
the best men in the Republican party
without regard to factional differences,
and of leading business men who would
infinitely prefer Democrat of Randall's
recognized ability and standing to such
machine incompetents as have long mis-
represented half the city. In the 10Th
district, Wilkesbarre and Scranton,
the Independent Republicans evil
IDENTIFY propose to let Scranton
have a walk over for the nomina-
tion, and then quietly bowl him out at
the polls. He has been a irebrand and
a boss of the first water, and cannot poll
within two thousand the full vote o, lis
party. His only hope of an election lies
in Democratic blundering or treachery,
and in this he ought to he disappointed.
A good Democratic nominee will sweep
the district.
In the Harrisburg (l4th) district, Mr..
Cameron has issued positive orders for
the denomination and reelection of his
particular congressional and household
servant, Mr.. Sam Barr. He may and
doubtless will get Il machine nomina-
tiOn, but he can be defeated. On
this point the Independents are set''
and nothing will move them from their
determination.
In the 10th district, composed of Ly-
coming, Tioga, Mexican and three ad-
joining counties, Young Mr.. Walker, Re
publican, Notwithstanding his incompe-
tent record, insists upon Il renomina.
tion. Factional and sectional feeling is
very strong among the Republicans and
a good strong Democrat might get away
with The district, as Walkers majority
two years ago was less than 600. In the
18th (Somerset) and 18th (Huntingdon)
districts, the Democrats have bright
prospects, while with good nominations
and proper arrangement it is believed they
can secure one if not both of the Alleg
heny districts. Errett is load the iron
masters are getting very weary Of and
Bayne and the Stalwarts are at eacl,
others threats. In the Beaver. Wash
ington district, (24th) the waIring Re
publican factions threaten to eat EACH
other up.
In addition, therefore, to firmly hold
ing their own in the congressional con
test in this state, the Democrats have
more than fighting chance in at least
six districts, and they are reasonably
sure of carrying two of these. Let us
have first class men on the congressional
ticket all around and united solid work
in their behalf. The record of the pre-
sent Congress is one which the people dc
not approve, and a multitude of hitherto
Republican voters are ready for q
change. and there is no better place tC
begin to effect it than in PENNSYLVANIA