The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-22
Looking Forward.

for truthful observation by Repuhi-
cans of the results of Tuesdays DEM
ocratic victory in this city, it is peril
nent to consider the party's future.
We will do those Republicans who
elected Mr.. Bailey the justice to be-
! lieve that the mass of them acted from
| what they conceived to be proper and
prudent motives. We will do them the
justice to believe that they were so far
deceived by personal considerations as
to become, for the moment, blind to the
larger and more important interests of
the Republican party, which they have
made to suffer. We cannot extend this
belief SO far as to include the active
those leaders were men who acted de-
liberately, and from calculated malice.
Mr.. Scranton, Mr.. Fellows, Mr.. Davies
and their immediate lieutenants had
been in politics long enough and had
enjoyed party favor sufficiently enough
to know that for every blow they could
possibly inflict on Mr.. Connell, at whom
they aimed, they would inhict dozen
| blows on the Republican party as an
impersonal organization. Though Mr.
Connell should retire from politics
orthwith-which, by the way, he has
no intention of doing-that retirement
would not restore the Republican party
to power in this city. 1t would not
simplify in the least the difficulties
placed by Tuesdays election in the way
of the Republican party's future in
Lackawanna county.
Prior to last Tuesday, the Republican
record in this county had been one of
| steadily increasing popular pluralities
| Never had the party been in better
condition to face with confidence the
battles of the future. The so-called
element of "Connellism" had not proved
| offensive to Mr.. Fellows when he ran
for mayor. 1t al not proved Of
fensive to Mr.. Scranton when he sought
| his present seat in the congress at
| Washington. 1t had not proved
| offensive to Mr.. Davies when
| he desired the nomination for
county treasurer two years ago.
there been any charge against the JUS
| tice or the integrity Of Mr.. Connelrs
| leadership, and never did any accusa-
| ton arise until these gentlemen, hav-
| ing failed individually and collectively
| to force Mr.. Connell into re-establish-
| ing the offensive leadership of a dozen
years ago. set out. in an alliance with
the Democracy. to poison the public
mind and infame percentage of the
Republican vote in Scranton into sup
porting the Democratic ticket.
The leaders in this movement, having
| shown that personal vindictiveness is
stronger consideration with them
than party loyalty, cannot expect to
! regain the confidence Of the Republi-
| can party. We do not see how the
party can ever entrust it's destinies to
their disloyal hands. They have chos-
en- to make their bed with the DEM
ocracy, and upon it they will have to
lie. Whether the Democracy will want
them as permanent recruits is q ques-
tiOn not for us to decide. The one clear
fact from Republican standpoint is
| that Lackawanna Repubicanism. If it
| would recover from the stiletto thrust
given it on Tuesday by it's false friends
| and betrayers, must proceed to reor-
| ganize with the malicious instruments
| Of that back -stabbing discarded and
discountenanced. There can be no
safety in the company of assassins.
The camp which is infested with false
counselors and deceitful leaders is
camp sure, sooner or later, to fall into
| the enemy's hands.
We accept the verdict Of Tuesday as
@ verdict against "Connellism;" as
verdict against the letting of city con-
tracts to home firms that give EN-
ployment to home labor and help to ii-
| versify home industry; as a verdict
against the use of the police force in
any save Democratic politics; as re-
buke to the activities of honorable
business men working without personal
reward and at personal expense of
! money and time for the nomination Of
clean candidates for Office in freedom
from blackmailing bosses and o6en-