The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-02-16
NOTHING TO FIGHT ABOUT.

Editorial from "7He Philadelphia
Record" Thursday, February 6, 1894.
The effort to bring the Democrats
of Pennsylvania together has disclosed
the fact that they are together. They
have no differences of opinion upon
any question of policy, State or Ma
tional, upon which Democrats differ
with their Republican opponents. So
much for the party at large.
The wrangle that distracts the party
in Philadelphia cannot be magnifed
into a State affair. To state the cause
Of it is to show its insignifcance and
the folly of keeping it alive. When it
became the duty of Governor Patti
son, after his election, to select the
Secretary Of the Commonwealth and
the Attorney General he chose Mr..
William F. Harrity for the former Of
fee and Mr. William U Hensel for
the latter. Both of these gentlemen
had rendered the party distinguished
service. No man doubts their com
potency or deserving But, for reas-
ons entirely personal to themselves,
the selection did not please Mr..
George MCGOWAN and certain asso-
ciates who can be counted upon the
fingers Of one hand. These few dis
gruntled Democrats, in order to feed
fat their private sruddggccSS, have attemp-
ted to organize what they cali the
Pennsylvania Democracy" They
are the pennsylvania Democracy"
Without them there would be no such
thing.
TIE Record has no quarrel with
these gentlemen, and, with view to
harmony, has lately sought to find the
causes of their grievances and to per-
suade them to fall into line with the
mass of the party. Acting as their
spokesman, Mr.. MCGOWAN has in
formed the Record that they are not
after official recognition or spoils. All
they desire is reformation of the
faulty rules prepared by Mr., MCGOWAN
himself for the management of the
Democratic organization in this city,
and left by him as a legacy to the
present Democratic party manage
ment. But they refused to meet a
committee of the regular organization
with view to peaceful understand
ing.
There will not be the least difficulty
in bringing about such change of the
MCGOWAN rules as will deprive the
temporary cheirmen of ward conven
tions of their arbitrary power to pre-
vent fair representation There is nc
doubt of the propriety of such change
nor is there any doubt of the willing
ness of the Democrats now in contro
of the regular organization to assist ir
effecting it. Upon this subject tht
Record speaks with authority ; and i
leaves the few gentlemen who consti
tute the "Pennsylvania Democracy
without ground to stand upon, excep
their own private disappointments anc
anlmosities.
OF course, the true Democrats O
Pennsylvania will not have their eye
blinded to the fact that behind tn,
pretended zeal for reform in part
methods is the accursed lust for powe
and place, which is the perpetual ban
of minority organizations cut off from
other than accidental opportunities 70
its qualification. The willingness, how
ever, to carry factional fight to sucl
an extent as to oppose the regula
nominee of the party for Congress
man at-large should make an end O
the malaperts undertaking 1t. Thei
refusal to agree upon terms of con
citation has disgusted those most dis
posed to stand by them.
The opportunity which offers at til
February election to indorse the Fec
eral and State Administrations, and t
crush out mousing and mutinous cabs
who have sought to involve other wei
meaning Democrats in their own petit
and selfish malignity, should not b
allowed to pass unimproved. TIL
party cannot afford to 60 into banl
ruptcy and enforce liquidation simpl
because it has pimple on its littl
finger.