The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-08-16

considered and allowed by a very
large number of Republicans months
before the convention assembled.
This was not the case as respects
either of his competitors. The case
of Mr.. Pattison was a clear case of
ofiice-seeking in a strictly local way.
Neither he nor his friends tried to
push him before the people of the
State at large. The struggle was to
command the Philadelphia and a
few neighboring delegations. 1t was
political piece-work, pure and sim
pie, and in no sense a case of popu
lar demand. The case of Mr.. Stew
art is of another sort He did not
seek nomination. The convention
assembled not knowing what it
would do. But he was nominated
by the convention without any par
ticular reference TO what the people
wanted, but rather with reference to
the exigency. 1t wac a judicious
nomination, but it cannot be pre-
tended that Mr.. Stewart was called
by the people to the position he oc-
cupies.
Perhaps NJ. Stewart wants to dis
cuss boss rule" But if General
Beaver won his nomination without
the aid OF boss rule-as we hold, and
despite all opposition-he cannot
come forward as the defender of
boss rule. We are quite certain that
he ought not to defend boss or ma
chine rule, any way, nor can he sue
cessfully defend it. If the subject
to be discussed is Senator Cameron.
we are quite convinced that it would
not add to the dignity of the can
vass for two prominent candidates
to travel over the State and discuss
the merits and dement's of an indi-
vidual. Besides. in offering to 60
into new convention based on the
Independent demand, boss rule and
bosses were practically surrendered.
We see nothing to discuss as be-
tween the two candidates, both be-
ing Republicans, and in perfect
agreement as to State and National
policy. The discussion would only
put both on the defensive.
On the other hand, the Philadel-
phia Press, that was a staunch advo-
cate of the Independent cause, until
the fair and honest proposition of
the Regulars for a new convention
was rejected, favors the discussion,
but ut the same time shows its futil-
ity. Supposing that General Beaver
should accept the challenge, it says !:
Let us see what would be the
natural cause of the discussion. Mr..
Stewart assails the boss system,
charges that it produced the Harris
burg ticket, and insists that the par
ty must be emancipated from this
obnoxious and injurious control.
General Beaver answers that the
Harrisburg Convention was consti-
tuted according to the practice and
precedents in Pennsylvania since
the foundation of the party. He
goes further and declares that, in
order to remove any grievance, the
Regulars offered to hold a new con-
vention under the new Independent
rules and under the supervision Of
an Independent committee. Mr..
Stewart rejoins that the ILdepend-
ents were willing to accept provided
that all the present candidates were
finally Withdrawn. General Beaver
replies that this is question for the
people TO say without limitation
who shall and who shall not be
nominated. Mr. Stewart responds
that the Independents will not trust
to the present or the proposed meth
ods, and hold themselves justified in
defeating the party to accomplish
their object. In other words, Mr..
Stewart maintains that the time for
revolution has come, while General
Beaver stands as the advocate Of
Republican ascendancv.
If Mr.. Stewart can afford to enter
a debate to uphold the former posi-
ton. we think General Beaver can
afford to engage in it TO sustain the
latter. IF the Regulars had not pro-
posed to submit the whole question
to new convention, General Beaver
would be at a disadvantage in the
discussion: but that offer equips
him with potent argument of
which he would make the most.
The wisdom of the proposition is
now palpable to all. With this
view of the case we do not think
General Beaver should consent to |
say or that his friends should con-
sent to have him say that he is un-
willing to meet Mr.. Stewart. If he |
and they are confident of the reason
and strength of their position, as |
they are, they should not shrink
from the encounter. General Bea-
yer may not care to consume the
in a debate of this sort,
but we mistake his quality if he is
not ready to meet Mr.. Stewart, as he
would be to meet any other citizen,
and justify his position.
1t must be very evident to all
persons of intelligence, who will
read the above views of two of the
journals of the State, both of
which leaned TO the Independent
'ause while they believed it honest.
hat Mr.. Stewards challenge is mere
y smart trick to advertise himself. /
at the same time to !
make capital out OF General Beavers
efusal, should he decline to meet i
lim, or in case Of his acceptance to
o occupy his time as to prevent /
i'm from carrying out his design to
isit all the counties of the State i