The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-31
THE REFORM" COMEDY.
Editor of Tac Tribune.

Editor of The Tribune.
SIR There is something exceedingly
interesting about a tar especially ii he
possess any skin IN tne art. Ta!s com
lnuhlty is now being rrsaled with The
achieEinents OF combination of men
"ho are particularly strong In tnis ac-
compi!shinent. The Scranton Republican
Is the platform upon which they display
their talent Under the leadership OF Its
inachiavsiian proprietor. the fun becomes
fast and furious. 1t is matter of regret
that the esteemed Tribune should see tit
TO mar the performance by knocking the
props from under its ingen.ously con-
structed falsehoodz. in occasional knock
cut however, gives spice TO the proceed
mss and enables the nrst-class liar TO
show the fertility OF his resources.
This company of liars. Ike every other
weil-regulated theatrical company, carry
with them a number of adjuncts called
supernumeraries or substitutes. The Of
flee OF the ''Su9e." as he Is Familiarity
called. 'f by no means desirable oae.
He loGs super!lUously- on the stage"
until occasion demands, when he Is pushed
10 the foreground as q legitimate object
for public rid!cule. The cash emo!umehts
which the "supe" receives 2re small,
while the gibes and kicks even from those
he serves are showersd upon him In
abundance. Such Is the role which Mr..
Franl. Jones Is playing for the Scranton
Fellows combination. 1t Is also the role
IN which he figured at the recent primary
electionsyin the Fifteenth ward. The in
structionS given to him on that occasion
Were TO watch closely the ballots taken.
keep list of the voters, and to ascertain
as far as possible how each man voted
The difference IN the size or the ball
lots made this a rather easy task, even
fo; a person OF Mr.. Jones' ability. What
the object was in Yaining such Informal
tion can readily be Altered. To play the
part of spy requires an absolute dr-
fciency of moral character. 1t - com-
pllmen,ary to Mr.. Frank j. Jones that
he was selected for this role. Equally
nattering is the confidence reposed in him
by the unscrupulous gang of kickers
whom he is nov serving.
In his communication and affidavit Of
yesterday He avoids the real issue. The
only Illegal proceeding at that primary
was the presence and conduct of Mr..
Frank Jones in the booth. He himself
represents the one unmtigated fraud He
had no conceivable right to make per-
sonal list or the voters, after the fashion
of a slave-driver making an inventory of
his chattels. The testimony of either one
of the other three gentlemen will far out
weigh his own in the mind of every honest
citizen In the ward.
The scheme of the k,cl;ers Is gradually
unfolding Itself. Lacking any real griev-
ance, they purpose filing the air with
stencil and smoke, hoping thus 20 hide the
true cause of their hostility to the Repub-
lican nominees. This cry of fraud ema-
mating from men schooled in every politi-
cal vice, is becoming wearisome: there is
not one spotless lamb in the whole flock.
In the favorite slang phraSeology of Mr..
j. y. Scranton, we advise them to come
off the perch" and prepare for their
burial on the eighteenth of February next.
Republican.
HYDE Park Jan 30