The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-15
Martin Must Answer

All talk about the ACCESSIBILITY of
reconciliation between Senator Quay
and David Martin has thus far over
looked one essential detail. 1t has
neglected to make allowance for public
opinion in this matter, and public opin-
ion, for once, is very much awake. The
charge has been specifically made in
print, and repeated upon the floor of the
United States senate, that David
Martin, during the past four years, or
in other words during the heydey pc
riod of his prominence as a director of
Republican affairs at Harrisburg, has
been secretly in the pay of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad company. 1T is charged,
in the public prints, and reiterated in
the United States senate, that Mr.
Martin, during these years and until
recently without the knowledge of those
who have trusted him in matters polit
ical, has been receiving an annual sum
in excess of $4,000 from that company
in payment for services rendered it in
the capacity of confidential political
agent" or. in palmer words, lobbyist.
This may not be an unusual thing in
the inner circles of practical politics.
but it is thing which, if true with
reference to David Martin, must. as we
view it, seriously impair his future
usefulness to the Republican party. We
do not believe that the mass of Repub-
Leans in this state will henceforth care
to take orders at Harrisburg from i
salaried employe of the Pennsylvania
Railroad company. They may have
nothing personal against either the
agent or the company, both of whom,
in their proper places, are of benefit to
the community. The element of preju-
dice may not influence than: but it is
nevertheless a fact calling for reitera-
tlon that the Republican party in the
second largest commonwealth In the
Union, casting as ii does nearly three
quarters of the votes cast in that COM
monwealth, will henceforth, If we mis-
take not it's temper, decline to divide
the allegiance of its leadership with the
Pennsylvania Railroad company or any
other corporation having legislative in
terests to further which are just pos
sibly not always Identical with the in
terests of the people.
A reconciliation between Mr.. Martin
and Senator Quay will not mend mat
ters unless it shall carry with it a dis
tinct vindication of the former from
the charge which the latter has delib-
erately preferred against him. The one
condition upon which Mr.. Martin can
resume his usefulness to the party at
Harrisburg is based upon his thorough
acuuittal from the Indictment now
pending against him in the tribunal of
public opinion. He is man of many
resources and gifts, which If devoted
singly to the necessary duties of party
organization would be wisely, prudent
ly and we doubt not beneiicially en-
ployed. The point we wish to empha-
size, wholly apart from any wish to be-
little Mr.. Martin or discredit him be-
fore the people, Is that the temper of
the masses, at this time will permit no
jugglery on the part of those intrusted
with party responsibility and will
speedily revolt from any leadership
which carries with it, in the expressive
words of our junior senator, "the dollar
mark of corporation subsidy branded
on it's forehead"