The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-04
.Puiliug democratic Che,tnuts out Of
tile PIre.

Pulling Democratic Che'thutb out u
PIre.
MIR. Charles S. Wolfe may be called the
foster father Of the Independent Republic
can movement in Pennsylvania. In the
House Of Representatives he set himself
sgainst the caucus and was untiring in his
hostility to the party leaders. Everywhere
he preached the gospel Of Independence.
In the preliminary campaign Of 1881 he
exerted himself to defeat General Baily for
the State Treasury nomination, and seeing
that Baily would certainly be nominated
refused 10 attend the convention. But Mr..
Wolfe was in Harrisburg when the con.
yention met, and there he endeayored 10
organize q bolt. The opposition TO General
Billy was numerous, respectable and de-
termined, but could not be induced TO split
the convention.
Mr.. Wolfe went to his home in Lewis
burg aud at once raised what he was
pleased to call the black flag. Without
anybody,s advice or knowledge he placed
himself in the field as an Independent Re-
publican candidate for State Treasurer.
He published u ringing card in the news.
papers and stumped the State. There was
no hope Of his election, but he and the
friends who gathered about him expected
to defeat the regular Republican candidate,
Baily was elected, but Wolfe polled nearly
$1,000 voter, 5000 more than Stewart, In
dependent Republican, polled for Cover
nor last fall with a comprehensive
organization at his back and the
field full OF Independent stumpers.
Here again there was no hope Of Independ.
ent success. The aim now, as before, was
to defeat the regular Republican candi-
date, and to this Governor Pattison owes
his seat. The Governor is under greater
obligation to Mr.. Wolfe than to any man
in the State; and having played a leading
part in the revolt which brought Demo
cratic success, the element represented by
Mr.. Wolfe was made to believe that the
administration would not be run on strictly
partisan principles. Now see what Mr..
Wolfe saysin an interview in Harrisburg :
"Governor Pattison has left no self.respect-
ing Independent Republican standing room
in %poIitics. aud rs [ wish to retain my W
respect, | have retired. He has tried 70 seize
for his party the fruits OF other mems labors
men, Republicans from conviction, who
stood forth for reform, when to do 30 cost
them their political fortunes. These men
did not want Office or patronage at Mr.. Pat
tison's hands, but their work demanded de.
cent recognition from man who
without them could e had been
Governor. II he had not sought
10 take credit 10 his party for
reforms, much more than sought TO accom-
pljsh the reforms themselves, IL would have
F., been the natural thing, the decent thing to
have asked the advise and cooperation Of the
men who set the reform motion on foot. l
speak tor no one but myself, but as for me
have had enough OF pulling Democratic
chestnuts out OF the FIRE. I'll do no more OF
that, audI will not serve the bosses OF the
Republican party, either. ! will simply go
to the polls and vote"
Here we have the awakening. Governor
Pattison ha. rudely dispelled the dream
OF the Independent Republicans Of Penn
sylvania, and all that Mr.. Wolfe says Of
him is true. Pattison has been q disap.
pointment to those who hoped for millenial
politics from q Democratic administration
in Pennsylvania. Mr.. Wolfe is not the
only one who has had enough OF pulling
Democratic chestnuts out Of the fire. Dis
gust fills the Independent breast.
That the Republicans Of. Pennsylvania
had a grievance against the party leaders,
no one doubts who has any knowledge Of
politics in that State. But many Repub-
%licans, in and out Of Pennsylvania, who
are not in favor OF machine rule, doubted
the wisdom Of trying to bring about reform
by handing the State over to the Demo-
cratic party. Mr.. Wolfe and his friends
saw no danger in the experiment. Th ey
now admit the failure and make no effort
to conceal their disgust. Nobody needs to
have the moral drawn for him; 1t is plainly
written in the brief history Of Governor
Pattison's administration.
II Mr.. Wolfe and Mr.. Stewart and the
other leaders of the revolt had 1t to do over
again it is probable that they would try as
vigorous a campaign within the party as
they made outside OF it, before heroically
pulling the Democratic chestnuts out Of the
fire. 1t doesn't pay to 'make a back" for
the Democratic party to climb up into
power. That party has no sense Of graft
tude.