The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-27
THE MANTLE OF GROVER.

One Of the ingenious political specu-
lations of the day processes to scent an
ulterior purpose in Commodore Singer
ly's robust thumps at the Harrity Dam.
ocratic machine 1t is not that the
commodore himself desires to profit by
a change in the leadership and the
methods of the present machine man
agement. Individually, Mr. Singerly
is represented Us having neither ln-
cliuation nor time for the task of at
tempting a reorganization Of the Dem.
ocratic forces upon the basis Of his
personal advancement The ultimate
recipient of any benefits from such an
overhauliug, according to the rumor in
question, is the commodore's silent
partner, Robert Emory PAttiSon.
There is much that Is plausible in the
intimstion that. by his unexpected as
grandizement. the governors secretary
of state has become, in some particu-
lars at least persona non grata TO his
nominal chief. When Governor Patti
son invited Mr.. Harrity to take the
foremost place in his political cabinet,
it is intimated he had no idea that this
elevation would be merely prelimi-
nary to schemes of political ambition
which, in surprisingly short time
made Harrity, and not Pattisou, the
foremost power in Democratic state
politics. For one who labors under
Governor Pattison's belief that be is u
man of destiny" it must have been
peculiarly aggravatlng to see the scep.
ter of influence coax4d out of his grasp
by one who, all the while, was his
nominal subordinate, thus gradually
but surely casting a shadow ov5r those
presidential aspirations which ever
since 1882 have abided in Governor
Pattison's mind
When MIR. Cleveland, after his elsc.
tion in 1892. cast about for political
legstee, the personality of Governor
Patti5on stood out in striking promi-
neuce. He had prestige wealth, char
acter, social eminenc3 and unlimited
ambition. Just then the fine Italian
hand of Mr. Harrity began its manipu.
lations, and by slow but certain stages
the twotimss Democratic governor of
Republican Pennsylvania rsceded into
semi-obscurity, and had, with question:
able satisfaction, to see a subordinate
rise just as steadily into power, inhu.
ence and national reputation. Although
there has been an outward semblance
of harmony between them, it is not a
disputed fact that this involuntary re-
versal Jared on Governor Pattison's
thoughts, nor is it wide stretching Of
ones credulity to believe that efforts
nave been begun to bring Harrity down
peg or two.
The visit Of Eiitor Singerly to Wash,
ington, his intimacy with the presi.
dent, who is yet known 10 regard Part.
ner Pattison as a promising potential
ity with reference to 1898. and the
short, sharp and ldecisive proceedings
that signalzed Mr.. Singeriy's return
ell are cited in support of this interest
ing hypothesis. IL 10 Iurlner sall tnaC
there is no intention of sacrificing Har.
rity, provided he will consent to keep
within certain political bounds, and
not occupy an attitude calculated to
thwart Pattison's presidential hopes.
But if he shall grow obstreperous, Com.
modore Singerly is credited with the in.
tention of adopting heroic measures, in
which he will have Grover Cleveland's
full permission and support.
We give the story for what it is
worth. The mantle of Cleveland must
fall somewhere. Why should it not
descend on Governor PattisOn?