Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-09-18
Bossism in Pennsylyania.

The words of the Scranton Truth, re-
produced below, are commended to the
consideration of intelligent and patriotic
citizens. The able editor of that pro-
gressive journal indulges in no vitupera-
ton, but he protests in dignified and
forceful language against the degeneracy
of political leaders and the tendency tt
decentralization which follows.
The one remedy against the growing
evil is suggested by the Truth. 1t is il
the reputation of the party whose coun
ellis are corrupted by bad leadership
and selfish men. Halfway measures
will not avail. The ulcer must be cut
away root and all. The defeat OF Della
mater will accomplish that.
The protest of Editor Barrett is not the
complaint of a disappointed man. He
is not candidate for office. He wants
no place. But he is patriotic citizen,
who believes that prosperity depends
upon honest government, and that public
integrity cannot be hoped for from a
party with leadership that is tarnished.
In this he is right.
The boss-ridden State of Pennsylvania,
with all its boasted intelligence and vast
wealth, has long been reproach in the
eyes of the nation because of its abject
subserviency to the rule of petty bosses
and commercial politicians. With con-
stitution authorizing not less than mil
lion dollars annually for public school
system the grand old Commonwealth has
permitted itself to become the plaything
of counterfeit statesman. 1t would not be
the subject of much wonder to find un-
scrupuous men of brilliant powers in the
lead, but the shame of it is that the only
quality for which Pennsylvania s political
bosses are conspicuous is low cunning
coupled with an utter disregard of every
principle of manhood and honor, such as
should belong to the leaders of men.
Having intrenched themselves in power
through an overwhelming Republican
majority, the Republican bosses of Penn
sylvania no longer respect the will
of the people, and, in utter defiance
of decent public opinion, they select as
their candidates for office the most plant
and submissive partisan they can find.
Then the people, the intelligent masses of
the Republican party, who were ignored
in the choice of candidate, as in the
case of Mr.. Delamater, the nominee for
Governor, are expected to roll up "old-
fashioned majorities" through appeals to
partisan prejudices, and the revival of
played out issues, which have been worn
threadbare in the creation of majorities
for years.
This system prevails not only at the
very head and front of the great Repub
lican party of Pennsylvania, but it pene'
trates right through the organization
down to the election of village con
stable, and every man who shows suffi
cient strength of will and individuality
to protest against it, is Immediately
blacklisted and marked out for political
punishment. In this way great organ
ization, with proud history behind it as
the exponent and champion of liberty
has been thwarted and dwarfed in thu
Keystone State until it has become
common machine for the elevation t,
power and place of set of unserupulou
| incompetents.
The Republicans of Pennsylvania are
patient people. Time and again they
have permitted themselves to be deludeC
into the support of Cameronism ant
! Quayism rather than take issue with tn
party they loved so well and whose gran,
traditions they cherished so sacredly, bu
they are beginning to realize that the
owe it to the party itself to shake off tn
baneful boss domination that has bee
degrading it for years, and bring repre-
sentative men of honor and honesty t.
the 'front.' 1t is high time there was al
end of Boss and Doodle politics in thi
State, and the present campaign afford
ample opportunity for giving both thes
vicious influences the quietus. 1t can
not be done, however, unless a sufficen
number of self-respecting Republican
firmly resolve that they will teach the al
rogant party bosses n lesson that the
will not learn in any other way tina
through crushing defeat.
In addition to defeating the Guberna
torial candidate of the bosses let tn
people elect Legislature pledged to tn
realization of ballot reform at the earles
possible opportunity, and thus a doubl
victory will be achieved for manhood an,
for freedom. The boss and Doodle sys
tenn of conducting politics stands con
demned before every intelligent man il
Pennsylvania; now let the rule of tn
bosses be relegated to oblivion and tn
rule of the people prevail.
The above is from the Pittsburg Time
a staunch Republican paper, and is a
indication of the feeling that exists
Western Pennsylvania.
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