The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-23
The Battle In Susquehanna

AdyiceS from SuSQuenanna Clearly
indicate that the Independent. self
respecting Republicans of that staunch
Republican county are revolving against
the bargain entered into without their
knowledge by the half-dozen men
who responded TO Senator Quay's sum-
mons when the latter was In this city
two weeks ago. General Hastings has
for a number of years been favorite
in SusQuehanna county. Five years
ago the two delegates to the state con-
vention were pronounced friends of
Senator Quay and 1t was supposed they
would vote for Delamater for governor.
but popular sentiment was so over
whelmingly in favor of Hastings that
they plainly and frankly told Quay 1t
would be impossible for them to sup
port Delamater. that to do SO would
result in revolt.
The Quay adherents are now laboring
to make capital against Hastings by
using his veto of the Hardenbergh bill
providing for the refunding to the coun-
ties the annual bonus of $4,000 paid
into the state treasury by the Erie
Railroad company. By shrewd and
tricky Misrepresentation they have sue
ceeded in impressing some unthinking
Republicans with the idea that the gov
ernor has done Susouehanna county
great wrong by vetoing that bill. The
more thoughtful people give the gov
ernor credit for being actuated by
high sense of duty in vetoing the bill
referred to.
Susquehanna county has no cause for
complaint even If she does not receive
from the state treasury her proportion
of the Erie bonus. That county pays
into the state treasury as taxes only
about $4,000 annually, while the records
show that she receives from the state
appropriations annually amounting to
$4,000. The intelligent portion Of the
people of Susquehanna certainly are
not so unreasonable as to find fault
with condition of things so favorable
to them. No county in the state pays
less in proportion to what 1t receives
from the state than does that county.
The sum involved by the Hardenbergh
bill was insignificant, and but for the
fact that a principle, which the gov
ernor felt in duty bound to respect. was
presented he would undoubtedly have
approved the bill. The governor knew
that in vetoing the bill in question he
would offend certain people in Sus-
quehanna county, but he did what he
to be his duty without refer
ence to personal considerations. For
such manliness, thoughtful men will
honor him.
People Of smaller caliber than those
who inhabft Susquehanna county
might be influenced by the misrepre-
sentations and dishonest appeals of
the Quay leaders, but the Intelligent
and fair-minded Republicans Of that
county will not be impressed by the
attacks on an honest and conscientious
governor for an act In which his sense
Of duty as the chief magistrate Of the
commonwealth was dn conflict with
what was at best only petty local in
terest.
The battle is on in Susquehanna |
county. and the Republican masses will
again assert their manhood as they so |
often have in the past when battling |
with the representatives OF the worst |
class Of machine politics. Susquehanna
will stand in line with the other coun-
ties of northeastern Pennsylvania in |
defense Of free and manly Republican,
SIN and honest methods in our state |
politics. The other counties all around |
have thrown off the bur-
lensome yoke, and Susquehanna will |
10 likewise.