The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-10
An Outside View.

An Out side View.
The following editorial appeared Sat
urday in the Philadelphia Press: zone
of the most interesting local contests
now In progress In Pennsylvania is that
for the election of mayor in Scranton
1t possesses features which have at
tracted quite general attention, and the
result is regarded with much more than
ordinary concern because there are
some factional Republican differences
that are neither agreeable nor eXcus-
able.
"The Republican, nominee is Colonel
Ezra II. Ripple, who on a former occa-
sion served the city as its chief magis-
trate. He is a gentleman of the high
est character, of experience and ca
pacity, and In all the bitterness of the
controversy nothing whatever is urged
against his fitness for the high and re-
spons:ble duties which belong to the
Office of mayor in a city of the i'm
portance of Scranton. He is n thor
oughly representative Republican and
citizen, whose leadership is a
credit to the party In every par
ticular. His election will give
Scranton an official upon whose
integrity and progressive spirit all can
depend. He embodies In every essen
tiai precisely the characteristics and
qualities needed by the city; none ap-
preciate this more than those who know
Colonel Ripple well. 1t is recognized
alike by supporter and opponent.
But there are selfish factional in
terests in the city which are oppos-
ing Colonel Ripple and doing all that
Is possible to elect the Democratic can
didate. This opposition Of certain Re-
publicans is based upon the mere pre-
tense that his nomination was not hon
estly made. The manner in which
Colonel Ripple was chosen as the Re-
publican candidate precludes this as
sumption on any honest grounds. He
was supported by an overwhelming ma
jority Of the delegates to the conven-
ton. number of those belonging to
the faction opposed to him withdrew and
made another nomination. The gentle
man who received that bolters' nomi-
nation refused to accept it on the
ground that there was no excuse for II,
and as Republican he felt it his duty
not to antagonize the regularly made
nomination of the party.
This was manly and proper, and
ought to have ended all opposition
within the party. But 1t did not. Led
by those who have repeatedly received
high honOrs at the hands of the party
the opposition is still seeking to de-
stroy all chance of Republican success
and make certain the election Of q Dem
tial campaign and when important dis
trict elections are to follow. Should
this purpose prevail it can be readily
seen the consequences at the next No
vember election may be serious indeed
The party nomination for congress
would hardly be worth accepting and
it would cost certain members of the
legislature when it may be of real con-
sequence to have all that can be elect
ed. No sincere Republican can want
to take such a risk,
There Is reason to believe that the
opposition to Colonel Ripple cannot sue
ceed, but while not defeating the can
didate for mayor it may easily endan-
ger the election Of some of the other
candidates on the city ticket. Let
those who are influenced by unwise
leadership to oppose their party candi-
dates regularly nominated reflect upon
the consequences of their proposed ac.
tion. They should not make a mistake
and every Republican in the state has
q right to expect they will not. Colonel
Ripple and all on the ticket with him
ought to be assured of safe majority"
The kickers' own CONSERVATION proves
without further argument that the tide
has turned.