The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-27
APPEALING TO REASON.
,rom tho ph,,aaclnhIa Press.


APPEALING TO REASON.
From the Philadelphia Press.
1t behooves the plain. sensible. ear
nest Republicans Of Pennsylvania. who
are more devoted to the party than to
any faction. to take counsel together
as to the present situation and what It
involves We have to consider not
merely this year. but next year and the
year beyond. We have to study not
merely. y.individual wishes. but party well
fare and political safety. II We go
back to early June we find no sign of
contest over the coming state conven-
tion. There had been a rupture between
Senator Quay and the Philadelphia po-
litlcal forces. but that was local. There
was no Indication that It would affect
the convention. The action of that body
was foreshadowed and accepted by
common consent. The state treasurer
had been slated: the judges appointed
by the governor were to be nominated,
and the state organization was to be
continued as 1t existed last year, with
Mr.. Gilkeson at It's head. 1t was ac-
csptable then and 1t was acceptable
now. This was tine outlook as all Re-
publicans understood II. There was no
dissent. So far as the state convention
was concerned, there was no storm sig
nal.
What. then, brought the change and
forced the contest? Not any struggle
over the treasurer: not any conflict
over the judges: hut simply and solely
the sudden proclamation OF purpose
to overthrow the party organization as
made by Republicans last year and de-
pose Mr. Gilkeson from the chairman
ship. Had there been no fight opened
on Mr.. Gilkeson there would have been
no contest over the convention. So
much is plain to every intelligent and
reasoning Republican. Differences had
developed, but not relating to the ac-
tior, Of the convention. The sudden
shot at Gilkeson. like the fire on Sum-
ter, was the signal Of war; Why was
1t fired? What reason was there tor
deposing him? Simply because he be-
longed to the administration and sus-
tained Governor Hastings effort for APP
portionment. No other reason has ever
been given. We have challenged the
production of any other. We challenge
1t again. Not another pretense Of rea-
son can be named.
Now what was Governor Hastings to
do? Bear in mind that the scheme
was to throw Gilkeson overheard sole
ly because he was member of the
governors cabinet and had loyalty and
honorably sustained the governors
state policy. In other words, the blow
struck at him was aimed at the COVER
nor himself. 1t was meant to punish
and humiliate the chief through the
representative. 1t was meant to cripple
and enfeeble his administration for the
remainder of its four years. Under
such circumstances what was the gov
ernor to do but to stand by his own
associate? We put the question, in all
candor and all reason to every man
who has a spark of manhood In his
Uwn breast Wouldn't the governor
have been less than a man IL he had
cowed and failed to stand UP In SELF
defense? Hadn't he right to sustain
his own cabinet officer? In sustaining
him was he waging war against any
body else? In upholding his assailed
Associate was 1t he or the assailant that
gave the provocation? The questions
carry their own answers to every man
who 's capable OF reasoning.
Let us next look at the other side with
the same spirit Of fairness. II Gov
ernor Hastings was acting in self-de-
fence, as we have shown. what was
Senator Quay's course? Was he right
In disturbing the party peace by start.
ing out to depose Gilkeson, first with
Andrews and then with himself? This
g the fight, and didn't he begin It? Why
ioes he want to put Gilkeson out and
put himself In? What is the meaning
II It? The honor of the state chair
nanship II nothing to him. The drudg-
'ry of 1t would be burden which he
would turn over to Andrews. There is
10 need OF his skill In the chairman
'hip 30 far as this state IN concerned.
What then Is his object? Is It not as
'lain as the sun at MONDAY that he
'eeks the chairman nship In order to re-
'trict the state administration for its
Independence of Judgment on appor-
ionment. and for the further purpose
u getting the party machinery entire
into his own hands 80 as to control
he national delegation and to aid the
reelection Of Senator Cameron? II
here Is any other explanation what Is
/?
There are thousands Of Republicans
this state who are friendly to Sena tor
quay and who would support him in
my reasonable measure. But they will
halt when they are called no join
n cruclfying the state administration
md In preparing the way for Mr.. Cam
ron's reelection. Mr.. Quay has no
ight to ask them TO follow him In such
york. 1t Ii not service for himself
is simply servllhy for the benefit
4 others who are obnoxious. He II
enator. He II secure In that position
or foure years. Let him be content
hat Republicans should accept him AZ
enator within his legitimate sphere,
nd leave them free to support their |
tate administration and elect another |
enator in place Of Mr.. Cameron.
COMMENT OF THE PRESS.
The wy0ming Delegate.
Tunkhannock Republican: "sinee the