Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-04-21
Work of the State Convention.


sylvania fully met the expectations of
the great majority of Democrats in this
| State when it endorsed Cleveland for
President and espoused the cause of
tariff reform and honest money. The
strength that lies in the name of Cleve-
land was never better exemplified than
when it was invoked by the anti-admin-
istrationists in behalf of their own cause.
The minority of the convention was
even smaller than had been anticipated,
and so unimportant factor that Mr..
Wallace, its principal spokesman, did
not consider it worth his time to go into
the convention, but left Harrisburg be-
fore the delegates were called to order.
Ever since discussion began with respect
to the composition and action of the
present convention the administration
element has had but one attitude
namely, the advocacy of Cleveland's
nomination. The opposition comprised
| opponents of Cleveland and enemies of
the State administration. The position
of the minority has been of a shifty
nature, taking the form at one time of an
| advocacy of Governor Pattison for first
| choice for President, and finally appear
ing as fatty favoring Cleveland with all
the emphasis of iron-bound instruction.
In endorsing Mr.. Cleveland for Presi-
dent, although at the same time not in
| cfrpntino, ha lalanat ba
followed the example of Massachusetts,.
The sentiment of the leaders, no less
than that of the party, in both States is
strongly for Cleveland, and the avoid
ance of instructions is held to be and
meant to be tactical step for his advan-
| tage. The Harrisburg convention de-
clined to be dictated to by minority
whose sincerity may be justly held in
| question, and there is no ground for
| doubt that the delegates will vote as a
unit for Cleveland so long as he shall be
a factor in the National Convention.
Governor Pattison's refusal to permit
the 'antis' to use his name as a candi-
date was inspired no less by his personal
| desire for Mr.. Cleveland's 8 nomination
than by his shrewd suspicion that the
proffered cooperation was instigated by
a disposition to weaken Cleveland by
setting up in opposition "favorite SON.
rather than by fervor for Pattison him.
| self.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Har
rity, the administration leader in this
State, has come in for all the abuse oi
of the opponents of Cleveland and Patti
son, and it was fitting that he should
have, as he was warmly accorded, the
support of the convention for election as
representative to the National Com
mittee. A man of strict personal in
tegrity, he has risen rapidly in politics
and has displayed rare qualities in
leadership. His clear Judgment and
good sense kept him an unfaltering
supporter of Cleveland, the undoubted
choice of the party at large. When
politicians on all sides were Fastening to
worship the rising sun of Hillism, and
now that the tide has turned, it should
be gratifying to him that his confidence
in the will of the people working out its
salvation was well based. He possesses
qualifications which should be and will
no doubt be of great value to the Nation
Committee.
Discussing the action of the Harris
burg Convention, the New York Times
sagaciously observes:
1.-THE platform presents Cleveland as
the candidate desired by the Democrats
of Pennsylvania, and instructs the dele
gates to the National Convention to act
as unit in carrying out its behest.
This is the more significant because it
leaves to that State no second choice,
though its own Democratic Governor
had the highest claim to consideration
as favorite son. Governor Pattison,
like Governor Russell, of Massachusetts,
was ready to recognize the fact that the
one great issue of the coming canvas
was embodied in the candidacy of ex-
President Cleveland as in that of no
other man, and that he is the natural
and logical standard bearer for the con-
test. These two men represent the best
tendencies of their party, and each has
an enyiable record for reform in methods
of administration and in party policy,
and their success exemplifes the wisdom
of making plain, clear issue and
courageously standing by it. 1t was to
be expected that Democrats of the type
which they represent would refuse to
encourage any factional differences and
join heartily in the movement for Cleve-
lands nomination"