New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-04
HOW QUAY WON TIE FIGHT.
PENNSYLVANIA POLITICIANS AGREE THAT
-
HE CARRIED THE DAY BY CASH

TRUSTS AND CORPORATIONS RALLIED TO HIS
SUPPORT IN MANNER UNPRECEDENTED. AND
NOW HE is A CANDIDATE FOR PREsl-
DENr-No LESS THAN 100000
FROM THE STATE.
Harrisburg. Dec 2-In the realm of practical
politics no stands higher than Ma''ne"
Stanley Quay He is easily chief. For years ne
has been looked upon as one Of the ablest ana
most successful politicians OF this generation
and since his remarkable victory in this state
last summer he has occupied a position OF unique
distinction His rivals have all been out-d
tanced; competition has been left far behind
That victory was National surprise. 1t was
unquestionably Of the most astounding on
its kind ever won In this or any other state NO
practical politician OF to-day has such an acneN-
ment TO his credit and the Pennsylvania Senator
Il. in tho popular mind at least eptited 10 all
the glory that the result al Harrisburg has gwen
him. The odds against him in the hght were
tremendous He had not only Chris Magee's
powerful force In Pltteburg. Dave Mar'in' Els
ole lieutenant end the Republican government
OF Philadelphia. all the leading Republican news
papers OF the State. the influence of Governor
Hastings with the entire State ADMINISTRATOR
the antagonism of many large corporations the
antipathy of stanch Republicans whom he had
disguised by his course in Washington on the
silver question, the For BILL his subserviency
10 the trusts, and various other matters uhheceS-
sary to mention; and above all, the sonhd pun
lie sentiment Of the commonwealth as well as the
country in general, that has always been OPP
posed to his methods and principles.
Such a tremendous array Of hostile power was
enough to dishearten the boldest and most re-
sourcefu leader. and Quay entered the lists TO
make a desperate but apparently losing hght.
His political fortunes were at the lowest ebb.
He had lost prestige In his party by his treach-
rrous course in the Senate and his identificato
with the worst forms Of monopoly had become
.ndefensible His advocacy of silver alarmed the
fhoughtful conservative elements Of all parties
His most active supporters here had become
slienated most Of his best lieuteraLts had ceased
10 follow his standard. Governor Hastings. out
Of se,f-respect had 10 cut loose from him. Martin
found further association with him undesirable.
MANY influential men OF means had cut loose
from him for reasons satisfactory to reputable
people The dissolution Of partnership between
him and Cameron was entirely free from senti-
ment Both play the same kind OF a game. ana
when they separate it is for the same reason
that impels them to come together-self-i inter
est
HOW DID HE OVERCOME THE oDDs7
When the fight opened the odds were 100 TO
4 against Quay. AS it advanced this ratio
seemed to be tolerably wei! maintained up to
within few days before the decisive battle
Then began a series Of mysterious developments
Delegates who were elected by solid Anti-Ouay
constituencies began to WAIVER. and counties
in which there ought to have been no question
as to the character OF representatives chosen
elected Quay men, to the amazement Of all
oF two liant
forty-eight hours before the fight was begun,
but even then the Hastings forces were en-
fireIy confident of victory. AS the Governor
remarked then. and has repeatedly said since.
Quay was beaten up to the day Of the battle.
1t was this that made the result so strange
and perplexing to people here and throughout
the country. That he should win in the face
of such tremendous obstacles was inexphcable
1t has remained to the great mass Of the
American people.
How did he do it? was the question
every ones lips. The answer that he sug-
eested and his friends gave exceedingly
fiattering to the Senator. 1t is the same an
aver that Plat gives in NewYork. and every
political boss delights to give-that the people
are with him. Quay able to make this
answer with more force and effect than any
one else, because il really did seem as if there
was a real foundation for it.
Was there? Did he win in consequence Of his
hold on the people? Does he enjoy such ire
mendous popularity as this assurance involves?
is his hold upon the plain people great that
ne can safely join battle with almost all the
other political forces in the State and triumph
at will?
Certainly not Mr. Quay with all his nnu-
ence. is not. nor has he been, a popular
man. In the ordinary meaning Of that term.
lie oil to porfic larl,- pla cir
nor has he the art of making friends easily.
He Is the embodiment of cold. hard politics.
viewing everything from the point Of view OF per
sonal advantage. and basing all his actions
upon the avarice. ambition and lower motives
Of those with whom he is associated He never
appeals to the heart conscience. His cold
ness is proverbial; his indifference 10 the ord-
nary claims Of gratitude notorious. An illus
tratlon Of this which has long been known IN
the inner circles OF politics may be quoted. 1t
is leaf from the history of the famous cam
paign Of 1885, when he was chairman of the
National Republican Committee.
COLONEL swORDss WAGERs
II will be remembered mat Colonel Swords the
genial sergeant-at-arms of the committee that
year, placed a great deal Of money in the form
OF wagers the success of the Republican Ma
tiona ticket. This money put up at the
Hoffman House New York and various other
public resorts. Its placing subjected the Colonel
TO great deal OF annoyance. He abused
and guyed numerically. The Democratic news
papers ridicued him. and wherever ne went he
had to endure end OF taunts and insults In
one instance he was actually ordered out Of a
hotel. The money for this purpose was furnished
by syndicate consisting Of Quay the unfor-
tunate Delamater who was then in Quays good
graces and another gentleman whose name need
not be mentioned. In all $4,000 put up.
Immediately after the election Colonel Swords
collected the bets and handed the money TO
Quay accounting for every dollar that had
passed through his hands Everybody supposed
that the Colonel received handsome reward for
his services. Some said $4,000 given him.
others insisted that ii was only $4,000, but all felt
sure ne received ample reward The Colonel him
self refused 10 talk in public the subject.
though urged to do so. but 1t is positively known