The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-01

1t is not probable that the next
presidential nomination on the Demo-
cratic ticket will be eagerly sought,
Unless sweeping and phenomenal re.
vulsions of public sentiment should
occur within the two years that inter
rene between now and the next presi-
Dental campaign, it is difficult to con-
ceive Of any substantial inducement
that could lead a rational Democrat to
brave the anger Of the people in the
role of candidate with seri Gus expecta-
ton Of success at the polls. The most
that can he foreseen is the prospect of
a losing fight. kept up for the sake Of
the party organization and in more or
less burlesQue loyalty TO what little
"reminiscences of genuine principle still
aGhereS to the Democratic leadership.
The current suggestion of a presi-
dental candidacy two years hence in
behalf of Governor Pattison will,
therefore, hardly be relished by that
gentleman himself, unless he should
desire to make Il third test of the pecu.
liar good fortune that has somehow
inexplicsbly heretofore attended his
political ventures. His reputation in q
national sense has yet to be created,
He 10 known outside Pennsylvania only
as the Democrat who has twice carried
a state normally Republican by i'm
menss mRjorities. 1t ia not generally
known why or how he did this. His
name as a political factor is associated
with no great principle nor ia it made
notable by any great achievement. He
is simply recognized as one Of the ia
vorites Of fate occasionally cast up on
the surface of current affairs, to add
new complexity to government by the
people.
This may do the governor himself a
certain injustice. To be entirely frank.
we are inclined to suspect that it does.
Taking all things into consideration,
Mr., Pattison, during his two admins.
trations, has given 10 the people Of the
state n clean and straightforward con.
duct Of their affairs. His first admin
i5tration was decidedly the better one;
but that which is drawing to a close
has been sufficiently acceptable, in its
general tenor. TO entitle him to public
respect and to a moderate degree of
praise. He has not exhibited any ex-
traordinsry symptoms OF greatness,
either as a politician or as an executive;
but his ideals have been high, the ma
jority of his intentions good and the
purport of his conduct in official posi-
ton such as to enable the candid re-
viewer Of his public career to give it a
respectable rating in the ranks Of the
commonplace.
Just why all this should doom him
to the hopeless prospect awaiting the
next Democratic presidential nominee
we are unable to decipher. It Is trus
that Mr.. Pattison's nomination in 1896
would be no more unexpected and no
less rational than were his two precsd-
ing selections in the narrower state
arena. Yet if he were to expect his
so-called luck to give him o third vic
tory, with the record of his party call
ing out loudly against it, it may be set
down at once as certain beyond per-
adventure that he would be fatty dis.
appointed. Children of destiny have
run their course for a while in national
politics. Accidents and lightning
strokes, with their eccentricity and
uncertainty, are manifestly falling
into d%isrepute. Common sense and
sober reflection will select tho winner
two years hence, and his mama will not
he Pattison, any more than his politics
will be Democratic or Populistic.