The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-01
THE warfare ON HARRITY
Prospects Of Triumph for the Kerr
Forces Are Very Bright.
DlSAFFECTION is WIDESPREAD
Prominent Democrats Everywhere Revolt
from the Autocratic Ways OF the
Present Boss, Who 1t is Believed
Is Nearing His Waterloo.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Is Nearing Ills WateTiOo'
Special to the Scranton Tribune.
Harrisburg, March 31.-The anti-3ar-
rity Democrats have finally agreed on
James Kerr, clerk Of the national mouse
of representatives, as their caudldate
for chairman of the state committee
President Cleveland prefers that Mr
Kerr take up the work of reorganlI-
ing the demoralized party IN Pennsyl-
vania. 1t would be inconsistent Tor
Mr.. Cleveland to aid his candidate, but
the knowledge that the sympathies OF
the president are with Mr.. Kerr 1t is
thought, will greatly strengthen MN
Mr.. Kerrs friends are making an actiFe
canvass for him. They claim forty Oh
the committeeman elected for the ensu-
ing year, ivith twelve or fifteen yet TO
be select4 This would put Kerr on
Easy stretg as this is about half of the
votes in the convention.
There have been many surprises since
the war was started against Harrity.
The latest Is the acquisition to the Kerr
ranks of ex-Insurance Commissioner
Luper, of Meadville. Luper was
A,hrother member of the Pattison cab
v''th Harrty. The eX-insurance
: oner is now outspoken for re-
.ton, and prefers Kerr for
Strong Opposition Arising
Dhen Harrity was in Pittsburg
days ago" said a leading Demo-
Cratic member of the house today, ne
claimed that there were but three COM
mitteemen east of the mountains VINO
We're against Robert T.. Wright for
chairman. He was mistaken. There
are two in York. two in Northampton
two in Berks. instead of one week ago;
one in Dauphin, one in Franklin, one,
and possibly two, in Luzerne; ana one
in Carbon. These are known to be
against Wright, not to mention SIX or
eight others who may be safely placed
on the doubtful list. DR.. n. b Rave
mold, of Allentown, a member or the
committee from Lehigh county, is op-
posed to Harrity, and can only be held
in line for Wright because of local
pride, Allentown being Wright's home.
''The sentiment in Mexican county is
strongly against Harrity and the lead
fng Democrats there are violently op-
posed to him. If Committeeman Thos.
D.. Nash represents the sentiment of
his county he will vote against Wright.
Harrity appointed Nash to clerkship
in the office of the secretary of the
commonwealth, and the remembrance
of this may hold him, but 1t is doubtful.
'The three committeeman from
Adams. Cumberland and Mililin coun-
nnnties are deputy revenue collectors. They
ere appointed by Collector Shearer, of
e Ninth district, who will expect them
10 vote for Wright. President Cleve-
lands intimation, however, that office
holders must not take part in the meet
ing may keep them away"
Other Elements Of Danger.
''F,x-Senator McAteer, deputy sur
veyor of the Philadelphia port, who
holds his position by the grace of Har-
rity, will have all he can do to hold the
Huntingdon county member in line.
Surveyor Meek will not be able to con-
troll N. r. Spangler, of Bellefonte, the
member from Center as he is an OPP
ponent OF Harrity, and will vote against
his candidate.
when Pension Agent Skinner of
Pittsburg, was here last week he sue
ceeded In straddling the political fence.
To one person he announced that the
member from Fulton would vote for
Harrity. to another the committeeman
was to favor whoever Kerr desired. To
a prominent politician at the state
capitol, Skinner declared whenever he
could, with good grace. come out openly
for party reorganization he would do
so. He says he is now somewhat ham,
pered by Harrity assisting him to get
his present position in the federal gov
I ernment.
An Anti.Harrity Appointment.
"The anti-Harrity power in the west
has been greatly strengthened by the
appointment of Bigler as collector at
Pittsburg. The collector has been an
outspoken opponent Of Harrity from
the day the latter made his debut int
Pennsylvania politics. The metno1s of
the Democratic boss have not been to
the liking of the man from Clearfield.
Although the collector took conspicu-
pus part as an adviser at the state
headquarters during the last state cam
paign, 1t was not because Of any friend
ship for Harrity. Candidate Singerly,
who is personal friend of Mr., Bigler's,
requested him to be here Anything
done during that campaign toward get
ting efficient service out of the anti
Harrity element in the state was done
by Bigler without the knowledge of
ana consultation with the Fnllduelpnla
leader
Colonel Cuffey. of Pittsburg, is doing
all he can to strengthen the Kerr side
in the western end of the state. He
has secured the assistance of ex-Sena-
tor Dunlap. of Beaver, and John c.
Bane. Of Washington. Dunlap win
represent this county in the convention.
Fayette Green and Westmoreland the
latter having two votes, will support
the reorganization scheme. Members
from these counties are now doing eff
Client work in these districts and the
missionaries are reporting more than
progress AS for Allegheny county both
sides claim they will get delegates.
Stranahans Unsuccessful Work.
"In the Northwest many Democratic
newspapers are favoring Kerr Chair
man Stranahan has been working in the
West, particularly in Mercer county, his
former home In the interest of Harrity.
But his efforts are not being crowned
with success. While in the West Mr..
Stranahan has perched on the Harrity
fence. in the East he has been on the
opposite roost. By this straddling his
garments have become but threads and
patches and It is probable that he will
be In comfortable condition for dress
parade on April H. Should tie vote
arise In the convention and the decision
"a. Ia