The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-14
Vote the Straight Ticket.

With election day only four days Off
the tide toward Republican victory
which began to rise about a fortnight
ago, gives every evidence of becoming
at the last, a tidal wave. 1t has al
reayd carried the candidacy Of the head
of the ticket so far beyond the reach
OF those who would sacrifice him on
the altar of their factional grudges
that his election Is everywhere con-
ceded, and the only remaining doubt
is whether his plurality will equal or
exceed that cast for the present mayor,
three years ago.
Foreseeing that they cannot hope ia
stop or retard the rush of fair-minded
electors toward Colonel Ripple, the
Democratic leaders and their Republic
can allies have sent out word to con-
centrate the energies of the opposition
on Messrs. BOland and Robinson.
There is little reason to doubt that
every reserve force in the Democratic
camp, including the small contingent
of Republican helpers, will from now
on be massed against Daniel Williams
and Fred ]. Widmayer, the object being
to effect If possible their defeat ar,
then charge bad faith on the part OF
their more successful colleague, thus
stimulating Republican dissension and
making easy another Democratic tri-
of the Democratic campaign from the
very first, but it was not brought into
play until the drift of public sentiment
pointed unerringly to Colonel Ripple's
election. 1t can prevail only with help
from Republicans themselves. 1t will
completely fail IL Republicans who
value party supremacy and have a
mind for their party's welfare do their
whole duty to the entire ticket.
With q wholesome and inspiring VIC
tory for that ticket In its entirety
within easy grasp-a victory not only
of value to the taxpayers of the city
through Its assurance that the honesty,
fidelity and enterprise which have al
ready characterized the Republican
party's control Of municipal affairs in
Scranton will be continued, but also
useful in the local impetus which 1t
will give to Republican prospects in the
coming presidential election-the ques-
ton for every sincere Republican to
consider is whether he can now afford
to falter Let him remember that Tues
days battle is the skirmish line Of con-
test which will determine for q gen.
Grafton at least whether Republican
prosperity or Democratic hard times
shall prevail in this country; whether
there shall be profitable industry with
living wages or stagnant mills with idle
workers. Respondent wives and
mothers. and unfed children.
The Democratic anxiety for at least
partial victory on Tuesday does not
arise from nor end with simply the
wish for two local offices. To capture
these offices would undoubtedly prove
gratifying to the political appetites Of
the affected Democratic candidates
but that Is not the sole nor the main
purpose in Democracy's desperate fight
for those offices. The real aim of the
Democratic managers, and the aim of
their present Republican coadjutors, is
to claim in Ripple's election, should he
win and his colleagues lose, the proof
OF Republican treachery, thus feeding
the fires of Republican factionalism SO
as to inure to future Democratic profit.
Republicans can rebuke this artful
scheme by voting their party ticket
straight. and the Republican who, on
Tuesday. shall vote otherwise than a
straight ticket will, consciously or un-
consciously, play directly into Demo-
cratic hands.