The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-09-14
Hastings VS.. Quay.

Recent political events within the
ranks of the Republican party of
this state, precipitating factional
warfare that bids fair to exceed i'm
fierceness the memorable contest of
1895. is to be deplored 10y all who are
anxious for party unity not only
this fall but i'm the more important
contest next year. when a successor
to Governor Hastings is to be elected.
All those not blinded by partisan
feeling viii readily acknowledge that
the Governor himself is responsible
for this state of affairs. This is
evident by the appointment of
David Martin. the Philadelphia
lobbyist, as Secretary of the Com
lnonwealth This is looked upon as
hdeclaration of war on the part of
Things and the friends of Senators
Qday and Penrose accept it as such.
Even the friends of the Governor
are divided as to the wisdom of the
appointment There is not much
doubt but that General Reeder was
removed to make room for Martin,
and that the offer of the Office to
Col. Lambert was a mere subterfuge
on the part OF the Governor But
His EXcelency cannot fool the people
by such transparent play at reform.
General Reeder's published statement
of the interview between himself and
the Governor shows couclusively
that the 100000 bond was not the
freal motive that caused the dismissal
sof Senator Quay's friends from the
Governors cabinet. His selection of
the leader of the Philadelphia Com
bine, a disreputable political ma
chine, as his chief adviser, stamps the
Governor as a friend of the lobbyists
and as against reform in state poll
tics.
There is but one inference to be
drawn from the appointment, and
that is that the Governor has joined
hands with the Philadelphia and
Pittsburg combines, and the
"Se&enty-Sixers." and has precip-
itated, a factional fight that will
be more far-reaching in its results and
more general than any that has yet
taken place in Pennsylvania. twill
Nbe a battle for the control of the Re
publican state convention next year.
the nomination of candidates for
Governor and other state officers. the
control of the Legislature, and the
election Of Senator Quay's successor
in the United States Senate Such a
contest is now ineyitable, no matter
how Justly obnoxious to the rank and
file of the party The war is on, and
Governor Hastings is responsible for
it,
The motive back of all this is very
plain to those who have watched
political events during the past six
months. The Governors personal
ambition is the motive He is auX-
ious to succeed Senator Quay. and he
wants his Attorney General to sue
ceed himself in the gubernatorial
chair. In his courageous vetoes Of
obnoxious bills and expense accounts
the Governor had the honest sup
port of the great mass of the people
of the state but the appointment of
David Martin to the high position
occupied by General Reeder. whose
reputation is nnblenished is, i'm the
opinion of an exchange, AN anrout
to the intelligence and integrity of
the people of Pennsylvania such as
has never before been offered them
by any Chief Magistrate
It is clearly apparent that in max
ing such an extraordinary selection,
Governor Hastings was actuated not
by desire to have the vacancy flied
by a man of conceded statesmauship.
ability and unspotted political record,
but simply TO discharge, at the eN-
pense Of the public good, "a personal
political obligation, which, according
to his own statement was due to
David Martin
In this respect the Governor missed
the opportunity to strengthen his
position politically and otherwise
There are any number of eminent
men i'm the party, whom the GOV
ernor might have called to fll the
vacancy ina his cabinet men who