The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-27
One Week Previous.

Seven days before election the
political situation in Lackawanna
county looks in every respect favor
able to Republican victory. For con-
gress Mr.. Connell Is in receipt OF as
surances Of support sufficient If full
filed to insure his election by plur-
ality creditable alike to him and to
the district; it rests with the believers
in Protection and sound money wheth-
er this consummation shall be realized.
1t is also believed that Mckinley and
Hobart will receive a vote equal to. If
note greater than, that cast for the
Republican nominee for congress.
Their plurality in the county ought
not to be less than 5000.
On the county ticket the Republican
nominees are running closely together.
The efforts of the local free silver
organization to secure concessions
from individual Republicans with q
view to the defeat of one of the Rob-
crises and the capture of the control
of the board of commissioners. which
would carry with it the handling for
political purposes Of nearly 100000 in
public funds per annum now held in
trust for the taxpayers regardless OF
party are yet in progress. but 1t does
not seem that they will be in any
degree successful. The clean and hon
est record made by the present board
under Republican jurisdiction is not
ignored by the taxpayers, and they
will re-elect S. w. and Giles Roberts
by pluralities little if any less than
will be given to the head of the Re-
publican ticket. To insure this result
and guard against last-moment sur
priscs, every earnest Republican will
keep steadily at work, with as much
determination as if the issue were yet
in doubt. This applies to the candi-
dates for county auditors, Messrs.
Kiefer and Ward. as WE'LL In fact, it
applies to every name on the ticket.
In the legislative districts, two Re-
publican nominees, Messrs. Farr and
Mackey, have SO far the advantage
that it is necessary in their interest
only to urge upon Republicans to get
out the party vote. This, with the
natural gain from sound money DEM
ocrats anxious for the election of
sound money United States senator in
assure their election by majorities
nicely in excess of those polled two
years ago. 1t is worth while striv-
ing for increased pluralities in both
these districts, for not only will it
contribute to the emphasis of the peo-
pies verdict so far as relates to the
senatorial election but 1t will also help
Mckinley Hobart and the Republican
nominee for congress.
The real fights are in the Second
and Fourth districts, and while we do
not underestimate the difficulties
which confront, we look for the Re-
publican nominees. Messrs. Connell
and Reynolds, to win in each instance.
Here, too. the interests at stake are
more than personal or local. The sem
atorial issue is involved and so, also,
is the welfare of the sound money ma
tional and congressional ticket. In Or
der to safeguard the latter and con-
tribute as generously as possible to
the restoration of Protection at Wash
ington. many who might not other
wise feel personally inclined for local
reasons to support the Republican
legislative nominees will feel justified
in waving minor considerations and
will cast their ballot straight for busi-
ness confidence and prosperity.
In our judgment the foregoing fore
cast is an accurate review of the pres
ent situation. 1t encourages conf
dence, but does not warrant overcon-
fidence. The principles at issue are
too important the results at stake
are too far reaching, to justify neg
lecting any opportunity which will, If
properly improved, strengthen the Re-
publican position. The fight is won
it must be kept. Negligence or dere-
LECTION at this critical period would
be little less than criminal.