The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-25
Enter the Clown.

The appearance of John II. Fellows
in the bolters' ring in the cap and bells
of a harlequin reformer adds interest
and picturesqueness to an otherwise
quiet campaign. Mr.. Fellows vocifer-
ously assures the public that he stands
for purity in politics, and that his vlr-
tuous bosom is constitutionally OPP
posed to any form or phase of cor
ruption, bribery or fraudulent returns
whatsoever. This is notable, If true
as Indicating a change of heart since
the time when, in the contest for the
congressional nomination in 1894, he
endeavored, without success, to impress
one of his close supporters into service
as u cashier for the disbursement
of large corruption fund. where
with 1t was hoped to purchase delegates
for Fellows like cattle. There are
"reminiscences Of that contest, not to
speak Of earlier and later ones. (which
would. If put into print, shed such
light on.the sincerity of Fellows fealty
to reform as would divert the populace
and tickle even the shocked elect.
But it is altogether probable that the
unmasking of so palpable hypocrite
would be q work of supererogation.
His calibre, we imagine, has already
been taken in his thrice repeated ef-
fort to defeat regular Republican tick
cts at the polls, because the party did
not choose to enthrone him as it's boss.
If Fellows were honest in his present
attitude; il, in other words, his revolt
were because of actions at the recent
primaries. why did he declare openly
and repeatedly, as early as six months
ago, that If Ripple were nominated for
mayor he (Fellows) would fight Ripple
to the bitter end? Since 1t is known
that the Fuller's hall bolt was planned
by Fellows and company months be-
fore the primaries in question, is Fel-
the bogus cry Of fraud which he now
raises to give a pretext for renewed
party treachery is not understood by
the community at its true value? An
other question. Does he imagine that
the people have SO quickly forgotten
thS hS"iiI6 hC uiO at tAC piCoCuI COil.
gressman a year ago, or that. Temem-
bering that, they cannot now see the
absurdity of his joining with Mr..
Scranton in a pharisaical chant for
pure practices in politics.
Knowing as we do tales Of in
events perhaps yet worth the
telling, we have been infinitely
amused at the nervy attempt of Fell
lows and his henchmen to vilify men
whom they could not domineer. and
simultaneously to pose before the un-
initiated as white-winged apostles Of
political sweetness and light. As a bit
Of copper-lined bluffing, it has enter
tafned and at times instructed us.
The thing, from an actors standpoint,
has been to a degree well DONE Even
honest Thomas d. Davies has been
taken in by it, and is now once more
an Innocent political victim of the
man who defeated him for county
treasurer in 1894. In this sense, Fell
lows for sheer gall commands q meas
ure CT homage. But unlike some hypo- |
critics that we know Fellows has appar-
emily no sense Of discretion. He SEEM |
ingly does not know how to modulate |
or to shade his acting. He is all rant, |
all Believing, all bathos. Like the |
day In the city convention when be- |
fore the chairman had been able to put |
in word edgewise Fellows was yelp- |
Ing against ''czar dictation and gag
rule" he is always doing the ridiculous |
thing at the inopportune time. and his |
latest assault upon the English Ian
guage is merely a comical case in |
point.