Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-01
AN OPEN LETTER.
Magnus Pfaum Replies to Some Circulars
Sent Out by the Republican Committee
Why the Independents Are in Earnest
hat TI,ox I'M,

| Magnus Pflaum Replies to Some Circulars
Sent Out by the Republican Committee
Why the Independents Are in Earnest
| What They Oppose.
| Communicated:
1 Mr., W. ID, Porter. Chairman Republican County
| DEAR SIR-With your name and title
attached received some cam paign docu-
ments with a request of careful perusal. As
am member of the Independent Repub-
lican organization of this county deemed
it my duty to comply with your polite re-
quest.
On opening the bundle I found seven
papers, but of which only one-the answer
to Emery's charges-touched but did not
handle the claims of the Independents.
| From this it must be inferred that you and
your assistants had no time to study much
less to answer the defections in the Repub-
| lican ranks.
| Speaking for myself and many other In-
| dependents, let me inform you that personal
charges, no matter from what source no
latter against whom directed; no matter
whether Delsmater or Quay is saint or sim
| ner, are not our sole grievance or the chief
cause OF our detection. Unfortunately,
some persons cannot enjoy campaign with
out personalities. This practice merely
hides the real issues and attempts to mis-
lead, but does not affect the voter, as per-
sonal charge usually brings counter
charge.
No, indeed, our quarrel is not with Della
| mater merely because he is the candidate
| for Governor, and, as alleged, unfit for the
office; is not with Quay, who nominated
| that candidate, merely because grave accu-
sations have remained unanswered. Be
| pleased to understand that, although we
/ object to the political character of
both the nominee and his nominator, we are
mainly opposed to the system which makes.
it possible for Mr.. Quay to nominate
a Delamater three years before the meeting
! of the State Convention; which makes it
possible for such convention humbly to
ratify such nomination, and finally which
made it possible for that august body in
theory representing in convention the Re-
| publican party of the State of Pennsylvania,
| to issue to Mr.. Quay certificate of charac-
| ter when charges against him, accompanied
| by what amounts to proof, have to re-
| main unanswered.
We are opposed to a party machinery not
| representing the voter, but the officeholder
and ofhceseeker-hence its subserviency to
| the office dispenser. We are opposed to a
| system which teaches and practices: that
public preferment is obtained by favor not
by merit; by working for the machine, not
by service to the people.
We claim that the party organization of
| this State has ceased long ago to represent,
much less to be, the party. Neither in
aim, membership nor ability is it the ex-
ponent or representative of the Republican,
ism of Pennsylvania. We claim that the
party organization is managed in the inter-
est of the officeholder alone, and that it is
snrp hr1f do Tnr
gathering and keeping the spoils of party
victories.
The protest in 1881 and 1882 bv 30, 900
honest Republican voters should haveibeen
needed. Believing that their unexpected
show of strength, proving that they held the
balance of power, would check the evil of
machine politics, they returned loyalty to
their party. But without result. Eighty
thousand majority seemed strong enough to
Quay and his followers to bear any burden
he may fasten upon the party. Ii disaster
happens will you blame the cause or the eff
feet? Long before the meeting of the State
Convention it was made known that Mr..
Quay's nominee was not the party's choice.
Let us see who is stronger, the party's con-
science or the party's boss.
1t has been often stated that bossism and
machine politics can be obviated by better
attendance at the polls and the election of
better men as members Of the party ma
chinery. This means that because finding
the door open the burglar can rob the house
freely without blame or punishment. That
there must be party management cannot be
denied, nor that some must manage. II
those who manage are fair and able and
lead the party in paths of progress and
wisdom, then gladly all will follow. But
when managing and leading means simply
taking advantage OF the voters neglect to
select good men, for the purpose of obtain
ing plant tools with which to pack conven-
tions to satisfy any predetermined nomina-
ton, then the party and its management
have separated because the managers have
betrayed their trust, worked for their own
benefit and abandoned the party and its well
fare. Party managers should be forced to
understand that the party does not exist for
their benefit, but that they are the partys
servants. Ii they serve we'll rewards are
sure and gratefully to follow; it ill, then
there are voters independent and plenty
enough to teach them the required lesson.
MAGNUS PFLAUM