The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-06

The nn.ht II Mas Cast On rsnssyivanis
DeWoerney.

L
Ths Hn.ht II HAS Cast On renssyiva.s,
| Denoeraey.
PHILADELPHIA. May 3.--Thers never wa
very much hope for the Democracy OF Penn
sylvsnia except In the periodical revulsion
to which a corrupt leadership Of the Repub
lican pnrty has now and again driven the ranl
and file OF that organization. But even thi
hope has been cast to the winds by the idiot,
and persistent energy with which Cleveland's
| friends have pressed his claims for the Presi
dency. Indeed. they have been so brutal II
their work that In nearly every county in ths
State the Democrats are at each other,
| throats. and party discussions have reached q
stage bordering on frenzy. This is un
fortunate at this time. for the sign.
wero propitious for important party advan
taees before the development OF this strife.
A Legislature which will be charged
with the selection Of Quay's successor ir
the United States Senate. will be chosen
at the election next fail. OF the vacancies
in the State Senate two.thirds are Re.
publican districts. In some Of these districts
the margins are narrow. and Republican CD.
position to Quay might reasonably have been
counted on to considerably increase the Dem.
ocratic membership OF the body. In the
House of Representatives one-fourth OF the
500 majority for this election. In all these
close districts there Is . decided Republican
opposition to Quay. and in some OF them It ia
organized and might have been made Of.
fective But unfortunately the bittor strife
which the Cleveland worshlppers have in.
jected into tho Democratic party threatens to
more than counterbalance these advantages,
and thus they become the instruments upon
which Quay may safely rely for the retention
Of his seat In the United States Senate.
But that is not the sum total OF the evils
which these misguided party wreckers arc
threatening. In the present Congress dele
CATION the Democrats Of this State have
nine members. and two Democratic districts.
tho Luzerne and the Clinton county districts.
are represented by Republicans. Several Of
the other Republican members were elected
BY small majorities. and one. the Blair Som
erset district, was 50 close that It is now In
contest before the House Committee. One OF
the Democratic members. Mr.. Gillespie. owes
his success to split in the Republican ranks,
but the Democrats ought to have ten members
in the next House. Three months ago there
was every prospect Of this result. But It is
not 80 now. In the Third district, the
ono 30 long and ably represented BY the
late Samuel J. Randall. the Cleveland
howlers have already ordered the sacrifice
OF the present efficient member. the Hon. Will
liam McAleer. for the reason that he has refused
to join In their senseless clamor. This will
mean the loss Of the district to the party and
the surrender OF It to the Republicans for the
first time in the history OF the State. Imagine
what Randall would think were he alive and
called on to contemplate such q prospect,
All the other close districts are likely to be
lost also. and NO intelligent and conservative
observer dares count on more than seven
Democratic members OF the next House from
Pennsylvania With more than half million
earnest and honest Demo crats this Is q meagre
expectation. but 1t Is all that can be hoped for.
The chance Of a seat In the United States Sem
ate and at least three seats in the popular
branch OF Congress are the penalties which the
Dem ocrats Of Pennsylvania must pay for Clsve-
lands inordinate and selfish am bition. and the
folly OF his idiotio supporters. It will strike
most people that the party in this State at least
would have been better of II the Claimant had
never been discovered.
There is another element Of danger in sight
from this same cause. " the sixty.seven
counties in the State more than half are Dem
ooratic: that is. In the majority Of the coun-
ties the local Offices are filed with Demo-
crafts. These positions are the most potent
for maintaining party organization
and developing party strength. In each of
these counties there Is an averaee OF about q
dozen offices. from Sheriff to County Auditor,
besides the clerkships which 60 with them.
The emoluments run anywhere from $500 to
$4,000 o year. and will average about 50, 900
each. A good many of tho counties are close
politically. and 1t requires the most intelli-
gently directed energy ana com plete harmony
70 secure them. As result OF the ssnseless
warfare there Is now bitter fight
n rnfu in hn Sfntn n {a
conjecture the result of this condition Of af-
airs. Tho Republicans. always vigllant and
aver active. will no doubt capture q consider
lble proportion OF these close counties. and
he influence Of the local Offices will be lost to
he Democracy and made Q medium for
strengthening the Republican party. In the
municipal governments OF the cities the same
esult will follow. In fact, 1t Is we'll known that
he newspapers In this city which are
pleading for Cleveland. were
equally earnest In demanding tho surrender
II the city government to the Republicans
Without struggle. and the police power which
ollowed has been used constantly since In
multiplying the Republican majority. Iithese
Democratic papers had been faith
III to the party In the last Mayoralty election.
is not certain that the Democratic candi-
late might not have been elected and the in
-~S~~>o ~ ~sNS
II there were any promise OF compensation
or these losses to the party. the gloomy pro g.
'ect might DO contemplated with some
Measure OF complacency. 1t Is not certain
hat We won't need the three members of
congress likely to DO lost The substitution
4 some good Democrat for Quay In the United
tates Senate might contribute materially TO |
legislation in the future. But II It |
'ould brighten the chances OF electine a
Democratic President, and hold out the hope |
I permanently establishing Democratic prin-
iples In the Government VT might stand It. |
'ut there Is no such comfort The record OF |
no contest OF four years ago. which showed |
Int Cleveland Is weaker than his party |
n every State in tho Union except one, |
orces itself forward to dissipato that delusIon.
he Democrats OF New York have reason for
eing less friendly to Cleveland now than they |
'ere then. The friends OF the late Gov. Hem |
ricks In Indiana have more aggravated cause
Or animosity than they had four years ago:
nd the influences which made the virginias
oubtful In 1883 80 far from disappearing
inCranaaA In afr O%h