The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-06
Applying q Fair Test.


Apply ing a Fair Test.
Upon the eve of the fall election in
1S94-to be specific. in it's issue of NOV
/ Of that year-the Scranton Republl-
can, in a conspicuous editorial. used
these words: THE man who calls him
self a Republican and cannot vote this
excellent local ticket is Republican
in name only. He lacks the attributes
of genuine Republicanism. His devo-
tion to his party is only skin deep
The ticket above referred to COM
prised Joseph A. Scranton for congress;
Robert w. Archibald, for law judge;
Frank II. Clemons, for sheriff; Thos.
ID. Davies, for county treasurer John
H. Thomas, for clerk of the courts;
Clarence T.. Pryor, for prothonotary;
John r. Jones, for district attorney;
Charles Huester. for recorder; William
S. Hopkins. for register of wills, and 7.
J. Mathews, for jury commissioner.
1t is not derogatory to these gentlemen
to say that they We're in no sense more
worthy of Republican support than are
the candidates on the present city
ticket.
At the head of that ticket stands. in
Colonel E. H. Ripple, a man who has
for years been one of the very foremost
citizens of Scranton-a man who, In
peace, has been constantly active for
the welfare of Others, with breadth
OF view and a readiness OF helpful i'm
pulse which have never distinguished
hot
Protestant, Catholic, Jew or Gentle.
native born or foreign. rich or poor.
No worthy public enterprise in the past
twenty years has failed to benefit from
his active and aggressive interest; no
charity has had to ask him twice for
aid; no friend was ever denied favor
within his ability to grant. To every
test of manliness he has responded
without exception; in his personality
this active and liberal city would find,
as mayor an ideal representative.
Look next at Daniel Williams-the
upright, unassuming, punctual busi-
ness man, In whose record, whether as
private citizen or as u servant of his
ward and OF his district in public posi-
tion there Is not a suspicion of derelic-
tion or Of taint. Does he not also ap-
peal to Republican support? Can any
true Republican who appreciates ster-
ling integrity and dignity of manner
and of methods hesitate to cast his
vote for Daniel Williams, his party's
fair choice for city treasurer?
Then scrutinize the character of Fred
j. Widmayer, tried and found true
during three years of exacting work in
the important office of city controller.
Is there in his honest service for the
city or in his clean and upright per-
sonality room for criticism or objection
on the part of any Republican whose
devotion to party is more than "skin
deep? Has he not done his official
work punctually and we'll? Has there
been breath Of doubt or a scintilla of
question as to his scrupulous honesty
and fairness? Has the city ever had
better controller than Mr.. Widmayer?
Could 1t do better than to give this
tried and trusted official the customary
compliment of a second term?
Take these candidates. together with
the nominees for assessors, Messrs.
Fowler, Fickus and Dawson; study
their public and private characters. as
men. as citizens, as Republicans and
tell us where the Republican party
could have found, within this entire |
city, better set of candidates, a list |
more clearly deserving OF the party's
united and cordial support? Is it any
discredit to these men that they were
the fair choice of a clear and manifest
majority of their fellow Republicans
at the recent party primaries? Are
they to be fought because. after a fair |
fight, they and not their opponents. |
were successful? Can honest Republi- |
canism be made to believe that honest /
ly won victory at a party caucus should
be repaid by treachery at the polls?
We agree with the Scranton Republi- |
can that "the man who calls himself |
q Republican and cannot vote for this |
excellent local ticket is a Republican |
In name only. He lacks the attributes |
OF genuine Republicanism. His devo-
tioss to his party is only skin deep"
A. Axx,o |