Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-08-19
Senator Quay and Democracy.

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Our esteemed contemporary, the Press,
copies an article from a rural Republican
newspaper making solicitious inquiry
as to the causes of the vigorous and vio-
lent support given by Democratic lead
crS and newspapers to Senator Quay.
In order that there may be no mistake
or miSapprchension on the subject it
should be remembered that the Repub-
lican supremacy in Pennsylvania is so
overwhelmingly established as to make
the rule of the party extremely arrogant
and offensive. 1t administers the affairs
of the state with insolcnt disregard of
the public welfare, because it does not
fear correction at the polls. The break
between the Republican factions is like
a rift in clouds. Democrats are glad to
see it. Even thousands of honest Re-
publcans are well satisfied with the pro-
cess of purgation now tearing its way
through the yitals of their organization.
There are, however. specific as well as
general reasons why Democrats should
side with Senator Quay rather than with
his enemies. He fights fair. He rcsolv-
ed the doubt as to his popularity and
and his right to lead his party by sub
hitting himself to the crucial test of
popular vote. Democrats will never for
get that when a Republican president
and congress sought to substitute the
rule of bayonet for that OF the ballot
box Senator Quay's vote was cast against
and helped to defeat the infamous force
bill. a weak man, or a cowardly man
afraid of the party lash, would not have
dared to take that manly and magnani-
nous course.
If Democrats had no reason to be sat
isied with any part of the past course of
the senator in his dealing with public af-
fairs his present attitude and aims would
demand, and secure, their sympathetic
support. He has put himself on record
as the opponent of corrupt municipal
government. He dcnounces the use of
money in politics, corporate control of
state and city legislatures, official inter
ference with primary elections, favor
itiSm in the bcstOwal of contracts for
public works, and the grant of exclusive
franchises in matters of public neces-
sity.
He also declares himself in favor of
the abOIshment of unnecessary offices,
the cutting down of redundant salaries,
the divorce of school management from
political influence, and the policy of
making corporations pay for the public
privileges granted them. He proposes
to carry the war for these and kindred
reforms into the next legislature.
The Democrats of PENNSYLVANIA. while
Senator Quay shall lead in this direc-
tion, cannot oppose him without stul-
tifying themselves. He has put himself,
whether consciously or not. as far as the
administration of state affairs goes, upon
a Democratic platform. Standing upon
that, every good Democrat and every
good citizen can fight for him with Il
stout stomach and clear conscience. If
he shall win, he will save so much of Re-
publicanism in Pennsylvania as may be
worth the saving. If he shall fail, the
cause he cspouseS will not fail with him.
1t cannot fail Of indOrsal at the hands of
the people that moment they shall be
able to apply to it the test of the popular
Judgement as expressed at the ballot-box.