The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-04
Mr.. WnHERE IS THE man
Got Himself Mixed Up in the Allen.
town Convention Middle.
PROPOSED HALF VOTE SCHEME
Made the Motion Before the Committee
on Contested Seats and IL Was
Approvcd-John E. Roehs's
Opinion Of Him.

Since the return OF the I.ackawanna
county delegations from the Allentown
state convention there have been a
number of more or less highly colored
stories i'm circulation concerning the
reasons that swayed the committee on
contested seats In arriving at its de-
cision seating the rival Lackawanna
delegates and giving each Of them half
a vote.
These stories were widely divergent
and saddled the responsibility for the
action on various shoulders John +.
Roche was 6ne of the Lackawanna men
who took an active part In the scrim-
mage at the state convention. and he
places the responsibility for the failure
OF the legislative district delegates to
get the seats in the convention squarely
on Maurice Wilhere. William +. Har-
rity's brotherin-law In speaking about
the convention to a Tribune reporter
yesterday, Mr.. Roche said:
OPINION OF HARRITY.
Il regard Mr.. Harrity as the most
thoroughly honest politician in the
country. In all our political intercourse
he has been frank and fair. and any
statement that he has been false to his
friends at the Allentown convention is
without foundation. To those with
i
assertion may create surprise, but the
re suit was incomprehensible until dis
covered the cause.
"Mr. Harrity said to me on TUESDAY
evening tina. he disliked very much to
have our quarrel here thrown at his
feet 20 settle and he appealed to my
friendship for him to relieve him OF
the task. Go out and hustle he said.
you can win the fight alone If You try.
My sympathy is with you. l will help
you II i must. but the man who uses
his power In politics to settle such cases
as this regardless Of the right or wrong
involved will lose that power very soon
and ] don't want to use mine In this
case until all other means are exhaust
ted
"On Wednesday morning I'VE had
pledges from thirty-on Of the fifty
members Of the committee on creden-
tials. When ] informed Mr.. Harrity Of
this he asked how the Philadelphia del
egation stood. and they being practical
ly unanimous In our favor he asked my
permission to give three of their votes
In the credentials committee to the 9TH
er side in order as he said to demon
strate his impartiality. ] met him again
shortly before the convention was called
to order and informed him that we
had increased the number Of pledges
and he then asked to be permitted to
divide the Philadelphia delegation
equally. This ! refused because l had
informed the delegation OF the first
concession, and as they were on their
way to the convention hall l had no
opportunity to again consult with them
He said to me then, l am glad you are
going to win this contest without my
help. and l appreciate your relieving
me of 1t very much.
DETAILS ARRANGED.
AT this time all the details We're ar
ranged. Mr.. Carr. of Philadelphia, was
to make the motions in committee on
credentials meeting and William O'Con-
nor, Of SchuylkilL and others were to
second them. Our work was complete
There was no question as to the re-
suit and neither +. F. Blewitt. John
T. Lenahan. or any of the O'Neill dele
gation cut any fiugre In changing 1t,
although there Is no doubt Of their ef-
forts In that direction.
1T was due to the laundering med
dlesomeness of Mr.. Harrity's brother
in-law. Maurice Wilhere. of Philadel-
phia. who has often before made trouble
for Mr. Harrity and his friends. Af-
ter the argument before the commit
tee Mr.. OLeary, Of Allegheny. moved
to seat the O'Neill delegation and the
motion was lost. receiving but sixteen
votes. Then Mr.. Wilhere, who 1 sup
lose believed himself to be inspired
moved that each delegation be given
one half q vote EACH and his injecting
himself into the affair made 1t appear
that his motion was Mr.. Harrity's wish
and 1t prevailed without further ques-
tion.
The only thing that Mr.. Harrity can
be blamed for is that he did not muz-
zle his fool brotherin-law by saying to
him: Let Lackawanna fight her own
battles Mr.. Harrlty asked me more
than once 20 go to Allentown and
was informed of the overtures of Mr.
O,Neill as well as of the intervention Of
C<itside parties to admit the O'Neili del
egaticn. Mr.. Harrity hoped that would
a. sist him in harmonizing the differ
ences and prevent the contest. Messrs
Fahey, O'Neill. O'Brien. Lynch and
others know ! tried to effect this, but
failed. They refused 70 make the slight
est concession. would not consider a
compromise. and would not accent a
half vote. They We're glad to get in
with half vote later. and while they
got the fruits ours was the victory. for
our purpose from start to finish was to
procure the votes of the Lackawanna
delegation for Mr. Harrity, and in this
we were successful. II
ABOUT NATIONAL DELEGATES.
my name was mentioned for ma
tional delegate. ] never in any way in
dicated a desire to go. l did not ask
vote nor authorize any one to do so.
and 1t was because those who were
with me thought l was entitled to it
that my name was considered. I have
not asked a favor of the Democratic
party outside Of the ward in which
live for many years. and have partici-
pated in county or state politics only
at the urgent solicitation Of leaders and
candidates. I have asked no favors Of
Mayor Bailey for myself nor any one
else"