New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-07-07
PENNSYLVANIA INDEPENDENTS.

WHY THEY REBELLEp TWO YEARS AGO. AND WHY
THEY ARE UNANIMOUS FOR BLAINE TO-DAY.
To the Edftor of The Tribune
SIR: Pennsylvania Independent Republican
notices with surprise the action of the gentlemen,
who have lately held meetings IN New-York and
Boston to start an opposition to the ticket nom-
mated by the Republican National Convention.
Under most circumstances he ia ready to bolt with
the foremost He has had some experience Of the
purifying power Of an honest political revolt, and
he IS fresh from fierce municipal and State cam
palgns. where his cause not always defeated.
Yet he sees. on the more exciting scene Of National
politics, an independent uprising whose advocates
speak IN strange tongues. and with whose
purposes he can feel no sympathy
In the most conspicuous Independent campaign
in this State-that for Governor and State officers
two years agO-a separate convention was held aud
a third ticket nominated. The Independents
claimed that the regular candidates had been nom
mated at the dictation of certain party managers
whose rule had grown ntoerable that these man
ayers, was their custom. had fixed upon the
ticket in advance Of the nominating convention,
and had forced 1t through. regardless alike Of Re-
publican principles aud the wishes Of Re-
publican voters. This was denied, and
this was the issue. Upon it the
independent Republican candidates received
~ the polls nearly fifty thousand votes. and
Democratic Governor was elected tor the first time
since 1857
Throughout the campaign there was no personal
attack the regular caadidates-no attempt to
dIshonor them by evil reports Whatever their
friends claimed for them. IN point OF character and
ability, was cneerillly conceded. The objection
was not to the nominees, but to the method of their
nomination. The question still was there: Shall a
great party choose for itself. shall il take the
Z II l. LII.
effort to g,orify the Independent candidates.
J he appca' wa- made, not for the IDEAL candl-
dates oi th' few, but ior the ice exercise 81 the
right If choice by q majority Of the party.
4 revolution 80 serious cOuld have attracted no
considerable following II there had not been wide
spread Dissatisfaction IN the franks of fhe hepnO-
lean voters. The reasons for tins dlsS3tlSacl non
Vtr" well known Chief among them was the fact
that while Mr.. Shine had been for years TN" m
doubttd choice of PrnnSy iv;na Republicans for
ircsldrnt vet thcy were allowed no expression 81
this preference In state or National Con-
utioI. The first mutteriug1 were hD1iu
after the National Convention of 1876.
| tire delegation WIS east for another, and ora the
second ballot, only four bold men Ieh q the,l oi'
drI- and represented their constituents by Y01ng
i1T aun. DURING the next Tour years .ir hIH'He
popularity steadily grew. and when the vote of
cru-vlvanI1. In he convention OF 1850, was E'Pl
/ iInu hu only ~ the Use OF Sucu desperate ppat-
rai methods as lad never before bee. K Gown, uo
rrftv restraint rould silence she IndIgua. ION. The
dir 20 outcome was Cd butter contest for nlied
states Senator il She winter 90 ISL and IT lcd. H.
directly .li slr.t. IO rh" independent canvass "a
Mr. Wolfe lor >.d.e Treasurer n iie lo'-
lowing iall. and 20 t.r campaign OF l-'2~ WINCH as
ha, been said, c thr safe aduiui,tr non 10 ii'
Democratic part for tLe first tnt IN q generate ron.
Whether tuc party disease was desperate enough
.here j., difference OF opinion. Time has cooled
many passions nj fHr hour lurr' seems To DE, Oh
both sides. srirr, of concession. and disposition
10 look roi at he past but 70 TIE future An dis
s-n-Iou Aa- go healed br the uOmlu@t"n OF tiH
Blaine do" asst STATE Convention pos" ilAe ONE