The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-07
QUAY and Mckinley .

IHllautil'lld iTtSS, written S'pil al
ter the departure of Senator Quay for
Florida, makes the conjectural asser-
ton that the senator has practically de-
cided to abandon his presidential cam
didacy in behalf of Major Mckinley
The authority for this assertion is not
given; and there is in our mind consid-
cradle doubt both as to the truth of the
story and also It's to the propriety of
putting it forth at a time when the
person whom it most concerns is several
hundred miles beyond the reach of in
quiry. If the story be true, there would
seem to be a good deal of propriety
in waiting for the senator to take his
own time and means of announcing its
purport: and If it be false. the only
conceivable effect of its publication will
be to augment the already increasing
feeling of bitterness-most of 1t entire
| ly unnecessary-which the present cam
vasS has developed. Thus. in either
| contingency, we consider that the Press,
as Il now active Mckinley advocate.
| has acted injudiciously in the premises.
The article. however, supplies an op-
| perfume text for some observations con-
| cerninE the relative attitude of the two
men of whom it treats. The impression
| has generally gone forth that Senator
Quay is losing sleep in efforts to de-
| wise ways and means to humliate Nc
| l. ri,,J,
| a big account of personal hatred and
| political ill-will between them. We re-
gret to say that some of Major McKin-
ley's indiscreet friends have at times
tried to diffuse this notion, doubtless
| hoping to profit thereby from what is
| known as the anti-bossism feeling,
| feeling which is especially marked in
certain quarters against Senator Quay.
We do not assume to speak by Senator
Quay's authority, but from knowledge
which is rather more direct than most
| of the idle gossip in the newspapers, we
do not hesitate to pronounce this entire
idea fallacious. We believe it does both
| the gentlemen in point an injustice.
| Senator Quay is a politician. who has
| friends to reward and enemies to pun
ish. He does not pretend to be above
his level: he is unusually frank and
| honest in this matter. He worked hard
| In 1888 to elect General Harrison and
as a reward for his brilliant service in
that campaign, he was boycotted by
the beneficiary of his energy In 1892
he supported Blaine and, later. Nc
Kinley in an attempt to prevent the
denomination of the man who had mis-
treated him. Senator Quay naturally
| wants to see a man nominated next
June who will remember his friends
and not so out of his way to punish per-
sonal service. If he cannot win the
nomination himself, he will be likely to
be for the candidate who will, in his
judgment, best typify, within reason,
the reasonable principle of reciprocity
That man may be Reed. 1t may be
Allison. AS likely as either, it may be
| Mckinley. The feeling between Quay
and Mckinley six months ago was, to
| our knowledge, one of cordiality. If it
has been ruflled in the interval, inter-
meddlers are to blame. From what we
know of Major Mckinley, and it is a
knowledge which goes into some detail
in a political sense, the public is mis-
taken if it considers that he is desir-
Gus of discouraging active party SER
vice or inclined to underestimate the
claims of those who, to use one of his
own faVorite phrases, bear the heat
and burden of the day" Major Nc
kinley is not a deity; not an abstrac-
tion. He is q very practical and hui
man being, who has gone through the
mill from the ground up and is not at
all conceited because of his successful
ascent. That he could appreciate the
abilities of a political general like Sem
ator Quay and that he would feel
thankful, practically thankful, for their
eXertion in his behalf is no stretch of
ones credulity and certainly no provo
cation to disrespect. Since it has been
shown by popular vote in this state
that Major Mckinley divides with Sen
ator Quay the favor of the people, we
do not doubt in the least that when
the proper time comes, the former will
acquiesce In the latter's candidacy, and
that too, without any lingering af-
ter-taste of bitterness. But that time
will not come until the senator's own
candidacy is by him relinquished; and
in the meantime this state owes to him,
as its recognized Republican leader,
cordial and unmurmuring support; such
support as will not only compliment
him but also rebound to the honor and
good faith of the commonwealth itself,
| -
Senator Chandler Is evidently slowly
fitting himself for dull political thud.
| -
The interest which has been taken
by the public in the marriage of Gener-
al Harrison and Mrs. Dlmmick Is not
Intentionally intrusive nor impertjn-