Evening star., 1895-07-29
Interview Of the Republican Leader
at Pittsburg.
CALLS TEE SENATOR An AGGRESSOR
Defeat Pfophesied for the Would
Be Chairman.
FRANK, EARNEST TALK

From Staff Correspondent
PITTSBURG, July 29.-The man who is
at the head CT the ansi-Quay movement
in the western portion of Pennsylvania IS
Mr.. Chris Magee, one of the triumvirate
of Quay-killers, composed of Messrs Hast
ings, Martin and Magee. Mr.. Magee, in an
interview with The Star correspondent yes
terday. frankly outlined for the benefit of
the readers of The Star the ostensible rea-
sons for the present dntagonlstic relations
existing between him and the man who
up to this time has been regarded as the.
head of the republican party in the state.
Before entering on Mr.. Magees inIer-
view. however it will be in order to say
something about Mr.. Magee himself, for
he is an interesting figure at this time and
is likely to come more prominently INTO
public view if he wins his fight against
Mr. Quay. Mr.. Magee is the political
boss of Pittsburg recognized and admit
ted as such. The term is not used in an
offensive sense, however, for he Is said
to be kindly and a generous boss. a good
master IN place where master hand is
needed. From the best accounts l have
been able to obtain, the yoke which ne i'm
poses is borne with gentle resignation
by those who sometimes feel it heaviest,
because there are compensating features
in connection with it for the good Of the
whole community.
Advantage of Having n Boss.
A citizen explained this by saying that IN
a city like Pittsburg it is well to have a
vigorous boss, who combines politics with
public improvements, because public affairs
are handled with dispatch, and although
the taxpayers may have to pay heavier
toll, they at least derive benefit from the
works undertaken. Mr.. Magee Is said to
control the city government and municipal
politics, through which his friends and
himself are enabled to secure franchises,
build street car lines, carry on public i'm
provements and handle big contracts for
the city. Whenever there Is anything to be
done MIR. Magee is said to have the city
government provide the means and his
friends execute the plans.
In contrast to this state of affairs in
Pittshurg is the city OF Allegheny. just
across the river whose public water supply
is pumped direct from the filthy waters of
the river front of Pittsburg and opposite
the outlet of a main sewer 1t is said that
in the absence of a good sturdy boss IN
Allegheny the Ietty politicians pull and
haul the city government so that no good
water system can be provided, and in the
meantime the city is fairly pest-ridden by
typhoid fever. 1t is rot improbable accord
ing to this argument. that if Mr.. Magee's
progressive boSsism were removed from
Pittsburg the citizens would come to han
ker for it and its results again, like the men
of old who longed for the fiesh-pots of
ESypl dIleF escaping from tne!T pOHudSe.
Mr.. Magee is man of wealth, which has
been amassed, it is said. by this happy
combination of city politics and business.
He is shrewd active magnetic. generous
ard good fighter. He is out for Mr.. QuayNs
political life-blood. and makes no conceal
ment of the fact. He controls big news
paper. is a leading spirit in the traction
syndicate, stands well with the Pennsylva-
big man in Pittsburg. Outside of the city
his potentialty is very limited. except
through the connections he Is making with
others who are influential.
Mr.. Masee's View of the situation.
This contest with Mr.. Quay was not
precipitated by those who are now opposing
him." said Mr.. Magee with an assumption
of great candor. Let me review the his
tory of Pennsylvania politics for the past
few years. We had seen the defeat of the
candidate for governor whom Mr.. Quay in
sisted upon nominating against the pro-
tests of many of his associates in repub
lican politics. The next man We put up
carried the state by a good. rouno lfgure,
and republican prospects began to revive.
We rolled up larger majority at the con-
gressional elections and in the election of
a Congressman-a -at-large simply swept the
democracy out of sight. We whipped them
soundly in the city elections at Philadel-
phia, and the democracy has been on a
steady decline. Much of this was done un-
der the administration Of Col. Gilkeson as
-cnalrn an OF the STATE COmmlItee. we
knew his works and wanted to continue
him in a position where he could keep up
the record he made for US.
Then, at this juncture. in stepped Sena-
tor QNey, with the demand that he should
be made state chairman. He came as a
disturbing element, and there was no occa-
sion for his interference. The people re-
sented 1t, and that IS the cause of the op-
position to him.
Quay the AggressOr.
'Then you maintain that Senator Quay
was the aggressor in this fight?"
why, certainly. At time Of profound
peace and unexampled prosperity in the
republican party he intruded himself as a
bone of contention to produce factional
friction. No disturbance would have
CURED had he kept out
But why should his candidacy for chair
man of the state committee be the cause
of d.scord in the party?'
Because he -aises the issue at once
whether the republicans of Pennsylvania
shall longer submit to the domination of
one man. He attempts to be the supreme
dictator of all federal patronage of the
state, and to take complete charge of the
party, irrespective of the wishes and de-
mands of the people of the different sec
tions, who should have voice in the dis
posal of such matters. He has contended
that tine United States Senators should dis
pense all the federal patronage, while 9TH
ers believe it should be left to the party
organizations n the districts most directly
concerned His plan will not do any longer
in this state and the people demand a
change. He endeavored to dictate the
course of the party in Philadelphia in
electing the mayor of that city, and when
he was defeated in his attempt made an
attack upon his political associates from
the floor of the United States Senate In
every way. recently, he has evidenced his
determination to become more and more of
political dictator. His candidacy for the
Craftsmanship Of the state committee sim
ply made an issue where the people can
meet him ana overthrow his political des-
potism. He has insisted upon being the
chairman, and thereby forces the issue
upon those who have grown. tired of his
method.
Prediction of Quay's Defeat.
'In my opinion he will be overwhelming
ly defeated in this attempt, and his dicta-
torship will be completely repudiated by
the republicans Of this state when they
meet in convention at Harrisburg next
month. The tide is against him too strong
for him to breast it, and he is sure to go
down. I have gone into this contest in
earnest, and for the sake of the principle
that the whole federal patronage of the
state should not be controlled by one United
States Senator or two, but that the people
should have voice in it's disposal The