The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-17
A Common. Sense Basis.

| mempefeu that 'COnnellism was all
right so long as the editor of the Re
publican" could twist it to suit his per-
sonal purposes. In those days the howl
was not against "Conncllism," but
against "Fellowsism." "Watresism"
! and every other ''ism" that stood in the
pathway of Mr.. Scranton's political
progress. If "Connellism" has any
fault it is that it ever made the mis-
take of trying to concilate this man.
whose only basis of cancellation is that
he shall have everything at all times
his own way.
But the question today is not Con
nellism," however much that particular
ism" may have been misrepresented; /;
it is plain common -sensism. 1t is the
question whether an honestly nomin-
ated Republican ticket composed of
men personally so reputable and de-
serving that during all this heated can
vass not one word has been said against
them shall be- defeated i'm the spring of
presidential year and the power and
prestige of popular Endorsement be
given over to the prosperity destroying
Democratic party. or whether the gov
ernment of the city shall be kept in
safe hands. That and that only is the
question before the electors of this city:
that and that alone should they con-
slider when entering the electoral
booths If the taxpayers of Scranton
want to have three years more of eco
nomical, progressive government, pre-
sided over by a mayor of demonstrated
fitness. character and ability; If they
want to rest secure in kind of admin
istration which ten years ago found
the city's affairs in a maze of compli-
cations and debt and left II prosperous,
busness-like and solvent: if in other
words. they want to assure to this
growing city a government in keeping
with its magnitude. it's resources and
its unfolding brilliant future, without
at the same time jeoparding any le-
gitimate party interest in the important
interval just preceding a presidential
campaign, they will vote, tomorrow,
for Ezra H. Ripple, Daniel Williams,
Fred J. Widmayer, and their three Re-
publican collea CUES, Fowler, Fickus and
Dawson, and be glad Of the chance to
put such worthy men as these into
municipal Office.
The intelligent electors of the city
who believe in good, safe, and repu-
table government will upon reflection,
vote for these men entirely regardless
of Connellism, ,Scrantonism or any other
''ism,'' because they will understand
that by SO voting they will promote
their own welfare. benefit the commu-
nifty and make possible a continuance
of the healthy growth which. under
to the proud eminence of being the
third largest and the first best-gov-
erned city in the state. They will vote
the Republican ticket because they will
remember that under Republican ad-
ministration. under standards set by
the credit of Scranton has been rescued
from odiun, it's executive departments
have been cleaned and renovated. and
efficient business methods have been
introduced and zealously applied to the
transaction of the municipalities busi-
ness. They will vote the Republican
ticket because not to do SO would be to
take utterly needless risks, with the
chances all against the getting Oh
equally good results from the inexper-
fenced opposition.
We submit that there has been
enough prejudice. enough passion,
enough Haunting of the black flag of
factional malice. in short enough down.
right lying in this canvass, and that it
is now high time to get down to a
common sense basis. 1t is time, in
other words, that the interests of Mr..
Connell. of Mr.. Scranton. of Mr.. Davies.
of Mr.. Fellows and of every other single
individual good bad or Indifferent, be
eliminated from the problem. and con-
sideration be given instead to the true
interests of our common city. The
point at issue. viewed from this stand
boint is easily ds.inguishable.a and once
apprehended. is easily met. The naked
question is: "Will the city be in better
hands If the Republican candidates are
elected than if the Democratic candi-
dates are elected. or will it not" In