davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
Rack Into the Ranks.

The triumph of the free silver ele-
ment in the Kentucky Democracy on
Tuesday brought forth from Colonel
Watterson a characteristic blast. We
republish It's pith:
We may regret the verdict against us,
but we accept II. We shall make no
further effort to direct the party course
or councils, or to share In any of the
responsibilities of the party leadership,
having done our best according to our
conscience and belief, to divert our po-
Ntical associates from a policy and pro-
ccdure, the end of which no man can
now foresee, the results of which we very
much fear, both as to the welfare of
the country and the party. But we are
Democrats, not Republicans, and, natl.
Ing Cur flag to the masthead of honest
money, free trade and home rule, we
shall in the character of a private SOL
der in the ranks contribute whatever
We are able to the uscertainment ana
tie Nlndcation of truth. For the gentle
men who have by their victory con-
firmed their leadership, we entertain not
the least i'll will. All the honors be-
longing to that leadership be theirs; and,
let us add, all the responsibilities. II
they continue to win victories, they will
approve their commissions. II they lose
them, they, in turn, will have to pay
lut ptudllltS OI utltdls w ntIC We NdH
we shall support them. Where We can
not support them we shall enter no fac
tious opposition to them. We go to polit-
ical annihilation with perfect composure
without a single resentment or regret
having fought out to the bitter end
profound conviction in perfect fairness
and good faith. From none of
the consequences of the fight we have
made for what we believed just policies
and sound ideas, have we the least dis
position to shrink. Had we the whole
thing to do over we should not veer
hairs line from the course we have pur-
sued; and, reviewing the record we re-
collect no word or act which we would
recall. What the rest can stand we can
stand. With charity for all, with m.lice
toward none. we shall continue to do
business at the old stand precisely as If
nothing whatever had happened; relieved
TO be rid of all responsibility in party
anairs; glad to go to the rear of the col
umn; quite assured of our ability at all
times and under all circumstances to
hold our own win friend or foe and
certainly Indifferent whether the case
In point be fight or a foot race.
The Democratic party will yet regret
the fatuousness of a party leadership
which forces into the ranks such chiv-
alrous, resourceful and determined
field marshals as the sage Of Louis
vile.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
Circumstantiai Evidence.

There is excellent reason to believe
that Sa5OO raised during the recent cam
paign by assessment on the Democratic
candidates found its way into the pock-
cts of the editor of the Scranton Re
publican and represented the wiling
ness Of Hon. Joseph A. Scranton to do
further injury to a party which in
thirty years has put not less than S4OO,-
OOO into his pocket. Mr.. Scranton's eX-
cited denial acts simply as presumptive
confirmation.
1t is known that special assessment
of the sum mentioned was made upon
the Democratic candidates for the
avowed purpose Of fixing the RepuD-
lcan." 1t Is known that joseph A.
Scranton sought to eXtort from the
Republican county committee much
larger sum as u price for party loyalty.
It is known, finally. that the Doodle Re-
publican afterward so worded its few
remarks touching the Republican NOM
inees that with the exception of It's
editorial on John II. Jones every one
of its articles was deemed available
for gleeful reprint in the Scranton
Times. the Carbondale Herald, the
Schadt syndicate of county weeklies
and in circular form. When to these
circumstantial facts is added the fa-
miliar chara cter of the Republican edi-
tor for intrigue and treachery case is
made up which we are willing to sub
NIT to the consideration Of Lackawan-
ma Republicans even though we do not
have the corroborative testimony of eye
witnesses to the actual tender of
the money.
We suspect, by the way, that William
Connell is willing to pit his reputation
for veracity against that of either Jo-
seph A. Scranton or Joseph O'Brie1.
Grim old Gomez renews his threat tt
hang the first Spaniard who comes tc
him with a proposal of autonomy
Gomez evidently thinks it is timt
Spanish diplomacy abandoned its
chronic blufIing and toed the chalk
mark
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
ALesson for the Future.

There is no more determined or ag-
Eressive foe of sO-called bossism i'm the
country than the Springfield Republic
can, one of the first and by many
deemed the ablest Of the journalistic
exponents of Mugwumpery. But it has
not been taken in by the fuss and
sputter of the incompetents who lately
brought Seth Low to wreck and Great
er New York to political ruin. Hear
what it says:
But for the Republican division the
opposition to Tammany would have won.
Regarded in the afterlight, it will nave
TO be said that the Citizens Union act
ed with unwise precipitancy when it
pushed Mr.. Low into the field ahead of
the Republican city convention. We are
not to excuse Platts unrlghteods ambi-
tion to maintain his grip on the party
machine or TO deny to the Citizens Union
the right of free nomination apart from
party organization. But It was pucs.
tion not of right, but OF expediercy--of
making the best of the circumstances
and getting the most out of a bad SIT
nation for better government. Politics.
said Burke must be adjusted not to
human reasonings, but to human ma
ture, and 1t Is human nature I'm this
country anu tlIne' IN CITY as well as in
state, among the mass of voters to re-
gard party organization. This is the
fact, however unfortunate It may be,
and I'm flying against II the Citizens
Union paved the way to defeat II II had
waited, Platts convention would doubt
less have nominated Low, and the union
could then have endorsed the nomination
end filled out the rest of the ticket re-
gardless of Platt's plans. The mayor
atty might then haye been secured to
honest and efficient hands, AS II Is, re-
turning to its system Of blackmaiI, of
boss licensed evil for private boss profit,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
Regarding Political News.

The completion of the official count
of the recent vote in Lackawanna
showing the election of five Republi-
not inopportune to call attention to
the exceptional accuracy and complete
ness of The Tribune's election news on
last Wednesday morning. on that oc-
casion our first edition, issued at a.
M, claimed the election of six Repub-
licans, the figures on Langstaff being
at that hour so close as to warrant the
claim that he was elected; and in the
second edition, issued three hours
later, a neat table appeared with
returns from 1l6 of the 151 districts,
the footings of which showed Lang
their five colleagues elected. The re-
turns of The Tribune so far as they
went were accurate in nearly every in
stance, as comparison with the official
vote in another place will show.
The establishment of The Tribune six
years ago introduced for the first time
in the history of political journalism
in Northeastern Pennsylvania the GUS
tom of printing the exact returns and
making honest claims the morning
after election. Prior to that time 1t
had been the custom of the Republi-
can daily papers in this section to
appear either with a wholesale claim
Of Republican victory however wide of
the actual returns or else with a head
ing In Doubt" the purpose of which,
repeated for two or three days, was to
let the Republican readers down
easily Even so late as 1892 we re-
member with what CONSERVATION the
Republican politicians of Lackawanna
greeted The Tribune's bulletin issued
at 10 o'clock on the night following the
Cleveland Harrison election acknowI-
edging General Harrison's defeat ana
estimating almost to a dot Mr. Cleve-
lands subsequent electoral vote Sucl.
candor was unprecedented and was the
subject of much animated discussion.
But the people evidently liked it, for
then and at every election since theJ
have awaited The Tribune's appear
ance secure in the knowledge of two
things: O That every bit of election
news possible to obtain would be print
ed in 1t; and CD that no claim would
be made dishonesty or in bad faith.
On last Wednesday morning the re-
turns came in with aggravating con-
fusion, owing to the large slashing
and cutting; but The Tribune of that
morning, like The Tribune of Nov. 8,
1886, gave the most complete and the
most accurate report of any paper in
the state, excepting only one or two
Of the immense PHILADELPHIA dailies;
and its claims, so far as it's figures
went, are strikingly corroborated by
the official count. The policy of this
paper, we may repeat, is to treat its
patrons fairly and give them the best
return for their money it is possible
to give considering the size of the field
1t is not a Doodle organ and 1t is not
venting private spleen nor playing
favortes. 1t is newspaper contain
ing the news while new. ali exponsat
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
BROTHER RKOBLsAATD DEsPAIRs

From the Chicago Tmes-Herald.
New York is a battling problem to any
one who undertakes to judge it by the
standards that are maintained in other
American cities. In many respects it is
not an American city at all The shall
lowness of its civic pride, its worship of
wealth, its liberation of vice in tawdry
form are all un-American. 1t knows no
such thing as plain democracy. Class
distinctions are more powerful there than
In any other city in this country-more
powerful than in any city in England
Manhood suffrage still prevails. but it
is manhood suffrage far perverted from
It's original form, When an election
comes around and men like Mr.. Low
leave the universities to talk to "the
masses" they encounter a great lumpish
vote, stupidly Indifferent to honest gov
ernment, solidified in ignorance by the
policeman's club alive only in a dull
bitterness against the wealth of which a
reform candidate" seems to be the rep
resentative. This vote is the founda-
ton OF Tammany's strength, and 1t is
imperVious to the voice OF intelligence.
1t always has been Tammany's and al.
ways will be Tammanys.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
CONCERNING COAL OPERATORS

From the Pittston Gazette.
The Scranton Republican says that 1.-THE
Lattimer riots settled that no coal ope-
rator can be the next Republican can
ddate for governor of this state" and
the same senseless cry has been taken
up by other Pennsylvania newspapers.
OF course the animus of the Republican
is too widely understood to require eX-
PLANTATION, but it is pertinent to inquire
why the responsibility for the Lattimer
trouble should be foisted upon Hon. VIII
liam Connell, Hon. John Leisenring, or
any one of a dozen other operators who
are prominent in the Republican counsels
of the state. They surely were not IN
any respect to blame for the recent labor
disturbance, and if they are to be thrown
aside simply because some man or men
engaged in the same business as they
are may have been culpable, what are
distinctions with vengeance. New COM
ers little acquainted with our language or
institutions might be expected to har-
Dor such prejudices. but they are scarce
ly to be condoned in men at the head of
influential newspapers. Editor Scranton
ought not to let his personal feeling run
away with his good sense. Such men
as Galusha A. Grow, William Connell,
John Leisenring and our own congress-
man, Morgan b. Williams, have done too
much for the advancement of the indus
trial life of Pennsylvania to be sacri-
hced to passions and prejudices.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
Its Animus Easily Disccrnibie.

From the WilkeS-B Barre Record.
The animus of the Scranton Republi-
can Is easily dscernible in its sweeping
declaration of political outlawry against
coal operators, and we question If any
other newspaper in the state will be
found taking the same position. Among
coal operators is to be found about the
same proportion of good and bad men
as in any other channel of business or
in the professions. Any one who has
lived for any length of time in the coal
regions knows that among the opera
tors are to be found as honorable, just,
liberal and kind-hearted men as exist
anywhere, men who are just in their
dealings with their employees, treat them
with consideration and respect, and en-
joy their fullest confidence. Why SHOULD.
coal operators of this class be debarred
from competition with their fellow citi-
zens of other pursuits for political or
other honors? on the other hand there
are among the coal operators others o.
the grasping, grinding, greedy variety,
men who oppress those in their employ,
cheat them in every way, and treat them
as If they We're slaves or serfs. Unfor-
tunately there are such, but we feel
quite confident that none of them will
seek the Republican nomination for gov
ernor of Pennsylvania; if any such there
should be there is not the slightest dan
ger of political honors coming their way.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
Backward Chances.

The vote for Pryor in Scranton Tues
day, unofficial but substantially accur-
ate. was 7,2Sl; for Schadt, GIT; Pry-
or's plurality in the city, therefore,
was 11Oi. Langstaff's city vote was
6,S97 and Kelly's, 7,2S1, plurality for
Kelly of SS4. Horns city vote was
1852 while Jones had 6 less. Norton's
city vote amounted to $50, or 24S less
than Copeland's while Law received in
the city 6.263 votes against S,414 for
Tommy Daniels, a difference of 2,151 in
the latter's favor Averaging these
pluralities we find that the city vote
was Republican on Tuesday by 623 plu-
rality whereas in the city election last
year it returned an average Democrat
ic plurality of over 1900.
A glance at the table of the Dem
ocratic city vote by wards, elsewhere
published, will disclose some interest
ing variations between the poll for
Schadt and that for Kelly. In the
Tenth, Sixteenth and Twenty-first
V ds only does Schadt lead Kelly
This lead in the sixteenth is oXplicable
because OF the TACT lIal II is oCndul y
home ward; in the Tenth it can be ex-
planned by the fact that the German
vote went to Schadt but cut Kelly;
and in the Twenty it is to be ac-
counted for by the special compliment
AIRY support of Langstaf by voters
who otherwise voted the Democratic
ticket But Kelly's pronounced l5ad
over Schadt in such wards as the
Third, Seventh, Twelfth, Nineteenth
and Twentieth indicates what The
Tribune during the campaign on a
number OF occasions pointed out, that
Schadt's numerous and well under
stood attacks upon Irish-American
candidates in the past invited repris-
ais.
From a Democratic standpoint the
lesson of these returns is that it was a
tactical mistake to turn Duggan down
to make room for Horn.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
A Preposterous Assertion.

Elsewhere are reproduced a few of
the reproving comments elected from
the Republican press of the state by a
ridiculous assertion made several Gays
ago in the editorial columns of the
Scranton Republican to the effect that
the Lattimer riot determined that no
coal operator could hereafter be elected
governor of Pennsylvania.
This asinine observation. born in
jealousy of one man not declaratively
a candidate for the gubernatorlal nom
ination, has very properly Deen resent
ed by friends of Hon. John Leisenring,
who, although a member of the class
banned, could command from his en-
ployes a cordial and voluntary support,
arising from gratitude for prompt pay
and considerate treatment in all the
relations between employer and en-
ployed, such as Hon. Joseph A. SCran-
ton would seek in vain among those
who labor in his service.
But regardless of it's personal appli-
cation, how stupid that assertion was!
Recause some coal operators are mean
stlngy and contemplate, all must he
prescribed; because the hog in human
nature outcrops in some of them there
is not hereafter to be justice in public
opinion for any decent and worthy cit
izen of the commonwealth engaged in
one of it's foundation industries! 1t
would have been quite as nonsensical
to lay down the rule that because
some editors pervert their power by
accepting Democratic doodle, trading
in political patronage, blackmailng
candidates and public men or acting
the role of maudlin drunkard in an
august public place, no editor could
hereafter be elected from a Pennsyl-
Vania district to congress.
Fortunately the people Of Pennsyl-
Vania have more intelligence and fair
ness than to subscribe to such a mon
Strous doctrine.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
HAS HAD HIS DAY,
From the Carbondale Leader.


The Herald quotes with much satisfac-
tion an article from a recent issue of the
Scranton Republican critcising the pres
ent leadership of the Republican party
In this county Mr.. Scranton's criticism.
is altogether personal, and arises from
the fact that the party in which he has
been so long a prominent factor has
chosen to follow the counsels of other
leaders. But, really, he has little cause
TO complain. The party has in former
years dealt very generously with him.
IL is not to be expected that others who
are as well qualified to lead should al
ways remain in the background. Times
chanSe and men change with them"
the mutations in the political arena are
frequent and the eXigencies of the oc.
caslon often render it necessary to adopt
new methods of procedure and to select
new leaders. We cannot see why Mr..
scranton should complain of the new or
DER or things. He has had his day as n
leader and his methods and wishes are
no longer such as the mass of the party
approve.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
Colonel Mcclure
Reads a Riot HCf
From the Philadelphia Times.


The first most important lesson furn-
ished by this election is one that should
impress the honest Democrats of the
state most profoundly. The Democratic
vote of the state is the lowest that has
been cast for the last half generation,
and does not embrace one-half the votes
of the citizens of the state who cherish
Democratic faith. 1t teaches to all that
there is no Democratic organization in
Pennsylvania that is entitled to the re-
spect of the Democratic people, or that
can in the future assure Democratic
unity and approach Democratic success.
With fully half a million voters in the
state who would support an honest and
capable Democratic organization and
honest representatives of Democratic
convictions, the highest of the candi-
dates this year receives but 268,000 and
the lowest only 244000.
o
The plain truth is that there Is no
Democratic organization in Pennsylvania.
There never was a better opportunity
for the Democrats of Pennsylvania to
achieve victory than was presented
this fall. Had the leaders been content
ed to discard the cheap money heresies
of the Chicago platform, as the Demo-
Gratis did in New York and Maryland,
and organized the party under a leader
ship that would inspire the Democratic
would be side by side with New York.
where one OF the greatest victories of
modern times has been achieved, or at
the worst, side by side with Maryland,
where the Republicans have the state
ticket by a small majority and the leg
islature fairly In doubt. But insanity
ruled at Reading, and not only the
most disgraceful defeat of modern times
has been suffered by the Democracy,
but it is a defeat stamped with the dis
honor that can be effaced only by honest
and able leadership and thoroughly hon
est Democratic policy. Such a Demo-
cratic party could have every prospect
of winning next year; but a Democratic
organization like the present i'm Pennsyl-
vania must be unfelt as a factor in the
great contest of 1898.
To show how the Democratic vote. of
Pennsylvania has degenerated down to
the smallest poll of the last sixteen
years, we give the Democratic vote of
IA ct,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
PERCEvING THE STORM SIGNAL
From the Philadelphia Times.

Al no time during the last decade has
the politics of Pennsylvania been more
confused than at present. At no time
has there been so large number of
the followers of both the leading parties
ready Tor revolt If they shall be pro-
Voked TO revolution by continued often
sive mastery. Whether revolution shall
come depends largely, If not wholly,
upon the wisdom of the Republican lead
ers or the state. Even the immense Re-
publican majority, so far from giving
assurances OF Republican success, is an
absolute menace to Republican victory
ana only by the wisest counsel and the
most generous Difference to public senti-
ment, can cyclonic elements be cl,minat-
ed from the great battle of 1898.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

the election Is very much the same as
In Luzerne. each party having elected
a portion of their ticket by small plural
tiles, with single exception. and that
county, too, gives the head of the DEM
ocratic state ticket a plurality. Luzerne
is not the only Republican county that
received a portion Of the lightning. 1t
even struck rock-ribbed Republican Sus-
quchanna. This is not the result Of To-
cal causes, but discomfort with state
leadership and numerous scandals.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06
SCRANTON, NOVEMBER 6, 1897.

Speaking of coal operators, the three
biggest rluraltles ever rolled up in
Pennsylvania were cast for coal opera
tors; and it was also a coal operator
WHO received 1857 plurality in a total
poll of sO135 in Lackawanna county
last year. Don't be too previous about
bowling them out
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

The character of our
Linen Stock is too we'll
known to need much talk on
our part. We merely say
that having purchased
largely i'm anticipation of
the advanced prices CON-
sequent on the new tariff
schedule, we can offer ex-
traordinary values,
1t is impossible to emil
merate the different lines
and prices, therefore we
mention only a few items:
One case silver bleached
German table linen, 81
inches wide, ten different
patterns. soc a yard, good
value at 75c.
aOOdozen silver bleached
napkins.
so pieces Scotch and
Irish damasl1s, from 25c
to $3.50 per yard. 200
dozen napkins to match.
Linen sheets, pillow and
bolster cases, counter
panes, bureau sets, etc.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

General Weyler evidently will have
a more difficult job trying to pacify the
Madrid cabinet.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

The momentous question that the Dem
ocratic people of the state have to de-
termine is whether they will have a
Democratic party, or whether the re-
naming fragment Of Democracy shall
be frittered away into nothingness by
demagog.c and incapable leaders.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

OF Republican doctrine from principle,
and a fearless and untrammeled tri-
bune of the. people at all times. Now
Is the time to subscribe.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

Mayor-elect Van wyck fubs salt into
the wounds of the Seth Low fraternity
by declaring that in all his appoint
ments to office he will recognize only
straight Democrats, following the die
tum that to the victors belong the
spoilS
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

Among other. points settled by the
tigers triumph is that boycotting
bachelors doesn't pay.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

Now is the time for David B. Hill TO
marry, mend his political ways and
become what he is intellectually capa-
BILE of becoming, a statesman.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-06

make him glad Billy Bryan neglects to
explain.