The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-09-04
Victorious Quay.

VICTORIOUS quay,
Matthew Stanley Quay comes forth
from the contest for the leadership of
his party in Pennsylvania victor.
Against a combination of powerful cor
porations and political leaders, almost
gle-handed and alone, he has tri-
umphed. He has always had strong
hold upon the confidence of the country
republicans. By virtue of this conf
dence and his Incompatible skill and
courage in political management, he
secured at the primaries, according to
the best methods laid down for party
contests, large majority of the del
egates to the state convention. The
craftsmanship of the state committee
was the end of the contention. To this
Office Mr.. Quay was elected. His object
gained, he turned about and proposed
the name of Governor Hastings, his
rival, for chairman of the state conven-
ton, and contributed to the renomina-
ton of the superior court judges ap-
pointed by Hastings. A factional con-
test, which the venerable ex-Speaker
Grow characterized as can altogether
unnecessary fight" ended in love feast.
1t was an extraordinary victory, used
with extraordinary magnanimity. The
situation was accepted with entire
unanimity and good humor, and there
is no split or schism among the repub-
licans of the Keystone state.
When Chester A. Arthur became
president of the United States, he con-
founded all his enemies by the true
nobility of his nature and by his devo-
ton to the cause of good government.
He shut the mouths of civil-service re-
formers by accomplishing, in prac-
tical way, reforms in civil administra-
ton which were a revelation to the
theoretical reformer. Quay comes forth
from this fiery trial, decrying the use of
money in politics, the corporate control
of legislatures and elections, and favor
ing the enactment of legislation and
the enforcement of laws to correct such
abuses. He lays out scheme of civil
service reform and faithful administra-
ton of public Office that makes the pro-
fessional reformer green with envy,
while it awakens his resentment that
30 bad a man as they have always
painted Quay should dare to stand
among the prophets.
Democracy has never forgiven Quay
for his mastery management of the
national canvass of 1888. No term of
opprobrium, no form of denunciation,
has yet been devised that could ade-
quately express their hatred of Quay.
They "view with alarm" that has in it
no tinge of conventionalism his brilliant
triumph in Pennsylvania, chiefly for it's
significance in connection with the
national election of 1896. If there is
any spirit above the sods that the
democracy would rather not encounter
at the head of the national republican
organization next year, that resolute
and subtle power is Matt Quay's skill
in management and organization, and
his capacity to divine and forestall the
movements of his enemy. Except from
here and there a chivalric opponent
who can appreciate
"The stern Joy which warriors feel
| In foemen worthy Of their steel"
Quay's victory will awaken the wrath
of democrat and mugwump and uncork
all their walls Of vinegar and gall. To
republicans it 10 q sign that the conduct
Of the canvass of 1896 will not be in
the hands of amateurs, and, above all,
that there will be no split, no trace of
division, in republican ranks, state or
national. The contest for the nomina-
ton to the presidency ended by the
action of the national convention, all