The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-08-02
The Knife Unsheathed.

4.
a sensational double column displa
what purports to be a chapter of poll
tical history telling the story Of tht
causes which led to the present fact
ional dispute between Senator Qua,
and Governor Hastings. 1t is doubt
less from the pen of Colonel Lambert
who fills the double role OF Cabinet
officer and staff editor, and it may b(
accepted as an official presentation
OF the dispute ftom ,he administration
standpoint.
The notable feature of this semi
official declaration is tha; the scalping
knives are unshea;hed, and the battle
is made fight to the death. Senator
Quay is placed in the position of a
| dependent and a mercenary at every
stage Of the dispute, and a public
order is given that he mus, not only
be defeated but eliminated from the
Republican power of the State.
This semi official statement charges
Senator Qusy with having been re
pulsed in personal efforts to make
terms, first with Mayor Warwick, neat
with Lobbyist Martin and then with
Governor Hastings. all Of whom re
pulsed him without ceremony, and al
OF whom are nov banded together
not 50 much for the reelection of
Chairman Gilkeson as to knock down
and drag out Senator Quay as Re-
publican factor Pennsylvania.
1t has been evident to intelligent
observers Of the contest for some days
past that there can be no compromise
between the beligerent Republican
factions Of the State before the meet.
ing Of the convention. Quay has been
placed in a position BY his opponent
that absolutely forbids any concession
on his part, unless he is willing to &C
cep; dishonor, ant any compromise
that he could nov make that would
retire him as candidate for chair.
man OF the State committee would
be public confession that his polti.
ca. mastery was ended, and that a new
denomination was enthroned whose
first article Of faith is his destruction.
He is thus compelled to accept the
battle as a fight to finish. and it is
openly declared by his opponents that
they have deliberately chosen to make
impossible.
This now settled aspect OF the
iacuonal conflict will be inspiring
news to the Democrats of Pennsyl
sania It is notice to them that the
election of six Democratic Superior
Court Judges is quite within the
-anse Of possibility. But il brings
aspiration to tens of thousands of
voters in Pennsylvania as
well. This is safe year for party pun-
ica,ion, and even if the tempest
should come the party could regain
IS unity in healthier atmosphere in
lime for the important national cleo
ion Of 1896 There are scores of
thousands OF Republicans in Phila.
ie|phia alone who will rejoice to see
his factional fight made = war to the
death, for that mus. mean the utter
md final overthrow of Lobbyist Mar
in and Contractor Porter as political
masters. For this issue large pro
portion Of the Republicans Of this
,i:y are not only ready but they are
anxious to have it precipitated upon
them.
With Quay's friends controlling the
party organizations IN thirds or
more Of the counties of Pennsylvania,
Ind with his friends making great
battles in the centres where all the
OF power are against them,
the defeat Of Quay in the State Con
'en,,on by y!nd;c:ive majority led
by professional lobbyists under the
shield oi the Governor would disrupt
the party organization from centre 10
circumference I, would not require
Quay 10 lead in the revolution it
would come itself and even Quay
himself could 40. halt il. This is the
entertainment; to which the enemies
Of Quay are inviting themselves, and
all who are interested in the puTiica-
ton OF politics will welcome the issue
as one that mus; produce the most
oenehcent results The knife is un-
saeaihed ard the battle is to the