The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-31


rather than OF gaudy splendor and luz
ury. All the surroundings OF Wiiliam
COnnell are characteristic OF the man.
They proclaim more loudly than could
words the generous. solid, methodicai
and careful man of affairs. who can
yet lay aside the cares Of business ana
become deeply interested In the rehne-
ments, the rational enjoyments. the
benevolences. the real luxuries OF ev-
ery-day life. t
1t Is only recently that Mr.. Connell
has become q prominent hgure and
potent factor in state politics. He is
today the Acknowledged leader or
Northeastern Pennsylvania Republic
anism. Leadership was not sought by
him, 1t was literally forced upon him
by a peculiar combination OF circum-
stances not Of his creating. He ae-
cepted the burdens and responsibilities
Of leadership as he does all other du-
ties that come to him from his fellow
men. As political leader. Mr.. Con-
nell is different from most men as ne
In in other affairs. An ardent ana un-
compromising Republican he has al
ways been. but an ufilre-seeker. never.
Twice he could have had the nominal
ton OF his party for representative In
congress, but declined. and twice he
consented. for the sake OF peace and
harmony. to the nomination for con-
gress of man who had been his reient-
less political enemy.
True TO Ills ConvietiOus.
In the recent factional fight In Penn
sylyania Mr.. Connell has occupied
position In every way characteristic of
the man. He desired a Lackawanna
county man appointed 10 the new Su-
perior court bench. and entered heart
and soul into the support OF the can
dldacy of Judge willard. Mr.. Connel'
stands very close to Governor Hastings.
and the latter appointed Judge Willard.
When senator Quay declared war
against the Hastings administration.
and a fierce factionas battle was
threatening. Mr.. Connell was urgent in
his advocacy of n poHcy Of compromise
that would be conducive to harmony
and peace. He made liberal overtures
to Quay personally, and also to the sem
ator's local representatives. all OF which
We're rejected. This aroused all the
aggressiveness in his Scotch blood. and
from that moment ne became the man
Of iron nerve. and from that moment
the battle was lost to Quay In Lacka-
wanna county. From that moment
also. william Connell became the rec
ognzed leader Of Republicanism. not
merely In Lackawanna county, but in
Northern Pennsylvania.
In politics. as In every other cause
he espouses. William Connell IS man
of principle. He adheres to the Repub-
lican party because he believes In the
correctness of the principles, policy and
purposes for which that party stands.
He seeks no office for himself. and has
frequently put aside his friends when
they would gladly have conferred po-
litical honors upon him. He is as true
az steel to his friends. and counts no
sacrifice too great when he can serve
them. SO aggressive and resolute a
man as he Is naturally has enemies.
But even IN his enmities he differs from
ordinary men. He never persecutes,
and no man Is more easily conciliated.
even by his enemies. when proper
disposition is manifested There is no
pettiness in his warfare. political or
otherwise. When he has a battle to
tight in politics or in the business world
he fights openly. in the broad light of
day, and fights to win.
The city Of Scranton owes more to
William ConnelI than to any other man
residing within Its borders. for what II
Is today. He has left the impress OF
his energy. progressiveness. liberallty
and keen business sagacity in every d.
rectlon. Many Of her most valuable
industries owe their existence to him.
and others their prosperity. The peo.
pie honor and respect him. In all
things he Ia that best and most valu-
able OF all citizens, a self-made man,
man Of the people. The great wealth
ne has acquired Is put to the best OF
uses-the development and prosperity
OF the community.