The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-30
GNAWING A FILE.

That expressive phrase, "They gnaw
file"-in which, by the way. there is a
world of meaning-was never more hap
PLY illustrated than in the assaults which
have been made by Democratic and Mug
wump journals against Senator Quay of
Pennsylvania, the Chairman of the Repub-
lican National Committee, and the effects
of those assaults. They as ravenous and
as sharp of slanderous tooth as q veteran
Norway rat; he as cool and reticent as
triply-chilled file; the file comes out IN
scathed but FURNISHED; the rodents with
dulled and ruined jentals.
Accused of monstrous thefts, and re-
accused times without number, in a man.
ner which cunning thief could and would
have resented. Quay has kept right along
upon the even tenor of his way, steadfast
and needless as the wind, not condescend-
ing to give the faintest sign that he was
conscious of the existence of his calumni-
ators. Not so his friends, however. Soon
after the first publication of these ISLANDERS
a meeting of Pennsylvania Republican
State Central Committee was held, when
without dissenting voice that representa-
tive body of leading citizens; representa-
tive of the highest intelligence and char
acter of the second state in the Union, the
cradle of the constitution. in apt and studied
language gave unqualified and emphatic ex-
preston of their mistaken confidence and
respect for their Senator.
But the most significant endorsement
was that of a few days ago by the Repub-
lican state convention of Pennsylvania.
The gubernatorial nomination was made
distinct test of the party's estimate,
throughout the state, in regard to the
assaults upon Quay. The latter had
studiously avoided active participation in
the selection of delegates, and though dill
gently piled in that behalf had persistently
declined to express preference. But the
opposition had insisted and it was gen.
orally understood that Delamater was
Quay's favorte. The leading opponent of
Delamater for the nomination was Attor-
ney-General Hastings, a strong and popular
man, at all times heretofore a staunch ad-
herent Of Quay, and there has been no
change in their personal or political rela-
tons.
If the tone OF the leading Republican
newspapers of Pennsylvania may be &C
cepted as evidence, it would appear that
personally Hastings Is far more popular
than is Delamater with Republicans
throughout the state. But it had been
given out and was accepted as a fact that
the defeat OF Delamater would be heralded
as rebuke to Quay end a euasi-endorse-
ment of the charges against him. And bv
a spontaneous iripulse Deiainater was
nominated by an Overwhelming majority.
Thus after zee discussion and with deliber-
ate intent the Republican party of that
great state has expressed its undiminished
endorsement IF Quay.
Now a review OF the entire record ia in
order. After the first grave offense with
which Quay has been charged the people
OF Pennsylvania elected him State Treas
urer, thereby giving him charge of the
States money bags; tue very last honor. II
may be presumed, that they would have
conferred upon one whose honesty they
suspected. After the second and greater
ofiense with which he has been charged.
they gave him the highest office in their
gift by choosing him as the representative
of Pennsylyania's sovereignty in the
United States Senate. Later, with these
charges still rife, the representatives of the
Republican party of the whole country.
with striking unanimitv, made him the
head of the national party organization.
The wisdom OF this choice. evidenced by
his amazing efficiency in that position, has
been the evident and sole cause of the re-