The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-15
The Common Sense Test.

The Common sense Test
fThe present municipal contest in this
city has attracted attention through
out the entire state. Politicians in ev-
cry locality have expressed an interest
in its outcome rarely aroused by purely
local fights. The reason for this inter
est. however is apparent. In politi-
cal sense the result of Tuesdays poll
ing Will transcend in Importance purely
municipal bounds and have a decided
bearing upon the county and national
election next fall. The recent growth
of Republcanism into popular favor
in Lackawanna county, as shown by
the steadily increasing average plu-
ralities cast for Republican nominees,
has invested q Lackawanna contest
with a unique significance, and made
it valuable as indicating to the COM
monwealth in general how the political
tide is flowing
The Republican leaders of the state.
headed by Senator Quay, expect a Re
publican victory on Tuesday. and will
be disappointed If every man on the
ed by generous margin. Such a vic
tory will give them assurance that
Lackawanna Republicanism will be all
right for the larger battle next Novem-
ber, the battle which will decide
whether Democratic panics, debts and
deficits shall continue to he the rule in
the land, or whether there shall be a
tn x,-bn Ian,,I,1ipnn
ciples. under which the nation had its
grandest period of prosperity. On the
other hand any faltering now would
be accepted by the Democracy as an en-
couragement to renewed activity. and
would to this extent embarrass the
cause of Republicanism throughout the
state. We mention these obvious facts
simply to show that there is duty
which Republicans owe to their party,
independent of factional feeling or per-
sonal prejudices, and that that duty is
conspicuously involved in the present
campaign.
But even among men who care moth
ing for parties the Republican city
ticket eloquently invites support. In
individual merit, in fitness for the pub
lie service, in that representative quail
ity which appeals to municipal pride,
it is by far the strongest ticket I'm the
field. It's personnel, it is everywhere
conceded. could not be improved. 1t
stands for and fittingly typifies the
liberal, progressive spirit of our city.
1t Is a worthy exponent of this aggres-
sive and diversified community. No
citizen need fear that by its election
the welfare Of the city would suffer.
No taxpayer need feel apprehension
that under its administration of mu-
nicipal affairs there would be careless
ness, incompetency or scandal. AS a
business proposition, it's election would
bring ten-fold more real profit to the
community and produce corresponding
ly better results than would be true of
either the Democratic or the Prohibition
by business standards, 1t is pre-emi-
nently worthy of success.
In view of these facts it behooves the
conscientious elector to be prepared on
Tuesday to vote intelllgently. 1t be-
hooves him to lay aside personal bias or
fractional misapprehension and look at
the real facts in the light Of common
sense. AS taxpayer he is in the posi-
ton Of the purchaser at the store who
wants the best return for his money.
AS a Republican, sincere in his belief
in Republican principles and earnest in
his loyalty to Republican policies, it is
his duty to consider how his party may
best be served. If his party's nominees
be, as they admittedly are in this in
stance, true and worthy men, then his
duty to 1t comedies with his duty to
himself as a taxpayer and citizen. and
he should vote his party ticket straight
-
Compare the official and private rec
ords Of Colonel Ripple and Mr. Bailey,
and then vote for the better man. IL
this rule be followed, no Republican
need fear the result.