The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-03
Quay and Apportionncnt.
Editor OF The Tribune.

Sir The powerof Senator Quay has never
been more strkingly illustrated than in
tha submissLvenesS of the Republican
members of the legislature to his behcst
in killing the apportlonment bills. And
never has Senator Quay made n more re-
markable exhibition of hort-sightedncss
as political leader than when he gave
the order for the defeat of the apportion-
ment bills. That act was something more
and also something worse than short
sighted; II was an act of bad faith, for TO
many of those who have been his friends
he had given assurance that he would not
interfere to prevent the passage of acts
reapportion.ng the state. The junior SEN
ator may claim that the killing of those
bills is a personal victory. 1t unquestion-
ably illustrates and emphasizes his power
over the Republican members of the legis-
lature but that in itself constitutes only II
very slender victory. Such an exercise
of arbitrary power on the part of a recog-
nized political leader never fails to dim!n-
ish his influence with the masses of his
party; more than that 1t decreases popu-
lar respect for him.
When Senator Quay gave the order for
the defeat of the apportionment bills he
struck blow at the honor of the Repub-
lican party. When Republican legsa-
ture In 1893 passed apportionment bills and
a Democratic governor vetoed them, the
Indignation of the Republican press and
people found expression in unmeasured
denunciation of the governor. Republican
conventions denounced the partisan ac-
tion of Governor Pattison, and everywhere
the Republican press and party leaders de-
clared that the only way to secure appor-
tionments that would give fair. just and
lican governor and a Republican legisla-
ture in 1894. This proposition was over
whelmingly responded to by the people OF
Pennsylvania. A Republican governor
was elected by the unprecedented majority
of nearly a quarter of a million, and a
legislature chosen that is almost unani-
mously Republican.
And now, in utter amaZement, the people
of Pennsylvania see the great leader of the
Republican party of the state issuing an
order to defeat appointments, and. what
is infinitely worse the legislature compla-
Gently obeys that order. Senator Quay
has made the greatest mistake of his polit-
ical career. He has run counter to a
righteous demand of the people of Penn
sylvania. He has commanded that the
Legislature ignore a constitutional obliSa-
tion and mandate. He has ordered a Ee-
publican legislature to violate the pledges
made by the party to the people of this
commonwealth.
No personal or political interest Sena-
tor Quay can possibly have at stalk, can
be urged in justification or eNtenuation of
an act like this. For two years more m
equal and unjust representation nilst con-
tinue. LuZerne and Lackaw.nna coun
ties, with their more than 350,00O people
will continue to have only two senators,
while Schuylkill and Lancaster with less
than 800, 600 will have four senator's. Coun-
ties that are entitled to additional rep
resontatives in the lower house of the leg
islature will not get them while other
counties will have more than they are en-
titled to under the constitution.
Senator Quay says this is all right. The
people say 1t Is all wrong. The Repub-
lican party must in the end suffer for this
unjust and. unfair policy unless, indeed
the Republican members of tn. legisla-
ture shall yet determine to ignore the
short-sighted command of Senator Quoy
and carry out the pledges made by the
Republican party to the people in the last
campaign. The people will stand by and
indorse Governor Hastings in his earnest
efforts to secure the enactment of fair
apportionment bills. 1t Is not yet too late
for Senator Quay to retrace his steps and
get in line with Republican sentiment.
The Republicans of Pennsylvania have
forgiven him for impoitc acts in the past,
but there may be limit to their forebear-
ance. L..