The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-17
Quay and Mckinley.

The right Of each Republican to have
q preference for the presidential nomi-
nation to be made next June at st. Louis
cannot be questioned. 1t Is equally
within his right to give voice to that
preference and to work to convert oth-
ers to his way of thinking. The only
point to be considered by those Re-
publicans in this section who are In IA
vor of some other candidate than Sena-
tor Quay is whether 1t would not be
more courteous to the majority senti-
ment in Pennsylvania and more con-
siderate of the party's interests In this
state to subordinate that preference
for the time and to turn In with q Will
for the Pennsylvania candidate. than
to raise q new war Of factions by insist
ing upon the choice of anti-Quay dele
gates. Let us not permit sentimental
feeling for Major Mckinley, for in
stance, to cause us to forget the
promptings OF state pride or to impel
us to snub the leader to whom, when
the convention is all over. we shall look
for guidance in the hard work of the
subsequent campaign.
1t Is not presumptuous In Pennsylva-
MIA to aspire to the presidency. We
have certainly as strong claims on the
party as Ohio has; and since the cleo
tion Of Lincoln, Ohio has contributed
two presidents while Pennsylvania has
not yet contributed one. Comparing
the two men, Quay and Mckinley, what
do we flnd?-In the latter. n man of eX-
perience in only one direction, and that
a direction I'm which he Is regarded by
many as an extremist; in the former, u
well-rounded, practical. level-headed
statesman, leader who knows human
nature. brainy. resourceful far-seeing
man of affairs. We do not dispute that
Mckinley is n shower man than Quay;
that he is better looking on dress pa
rade and more fascinating in debate;
but Is he Quay's equal In practical ex-
perience. foresight, sagacity or shrewd-
ness; in short, in the essential qualities
q
done what Quay did in 1883 when the
latter organized the campaign that
elected Harrison: could he have done
what Quay did in 1893 when Quay, al
most single-handed. in the senate
fought saving measure of protection
INTO the original Wilson bill, thus pre-
serving Pennsylvania's Industries from
utter ruin? In short. is he a practical
man or mere theorist, and If the lat
ter. which kind of a president do we
want?
The Tribune would support Major
Mckinley for president with the ut
most pleasure. 1t recognizes in him a
clean, honest and straightforward Re-
publican, to whom accident has given
leading place in the favor of his
party, but who would, If nominated,
doubtless prove entirely worthy of the
leadership thus achieved. At the same
time. SO long as Senator Quay remains
IN the field, we consider 1t not only a
duty but also q pleasure for Pennsyl-
vania Republicans to accord their will
ing support to his candidacy, in the
knowledge that should Quay win. he
would make one Of the safest and best
Of presidents. and that, should he lose,
the loyal support accorded to him from
his own state would constitute pleas
ant recollection. and form q desirable
precedent for the fiifura
In addition to having plenty of ex-
perience and backbone, Senator Cullom