The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-04
Fidelity or Treason, Which?

Fidelity or treason, which?
During the recent campaign the only
candidate on the Republican ticket
who received direct and unequivocal
support from the Scranton Republican
was John r. Jones. In its issue Of
Nov. l that paper published one edi-
torial half column in length review
ing favorably and fairly Mr.. Jones'
record as a public official and omitting
the innuendo and covert abuse that
had caused each Of it's prior editorials
on the other Republican candidates
to be seized with avidity by the
Democratic press for reprint and to be
used by the Democratic managers as
campaign weapons. Mr.. jones de-
served this support, both as a Re-
publican fairly nominated and rs a
business patron of j. A. Scranton and
Son who in the last three years has
turned thousands of dollars worth of
business into the firms hands.
But Mr.. Jones Republcanism was not
more deserving of recognition by a
paper protesting to advocate Republi-
can principles than was that of any
of his colleagues on the ticket. Why
was he praised while the others were
krifed?
In order that Mr.. Scranton might
not have any ground to excuse his
expected treachery to the Republican,
ticket the Republican county chairman
in the beginning of the recent cam
paign, under instructions from the
candidates, offered to restore to the
Scranton Republican the equal divi-
sion in the official printing and udver-
tiSing which il had enjoyed since The
Trihune's establishment and up to the
spring of 1896, when the former papers
open bolt of the regular Republican
city ticket removed it from possible
consideration. This offer was not
made because the Republicans opposi-
tion was feared; its power for mischief
in the Republican party ceased after
it's action in contributing to the cleo
tion of Bailey as mayor and to the
turning of the city government over
to the Democrats. The offer was made
reasonable excuse to make his CUSTOM
ary grab for Democratic campaign
money; yet there is excellent reason
to believe that $2500 raised by assess
ment on the Democratic candidates
afterward found its way into the Re
publican editors pockets and repre-
sented the price of Joseph A. Scran-
tons willingness to do further injury
to a party which for nearly thirty
years had kept him almost continu-
ously in Office and lined his pockets
with hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of political pap
In view of these facts we feel that
something is due from the consistent
and loyal Republican voters of Lacka-
wanna county to The Tribune in the
assignment of credit for answering
fidelity to Republican candidates and
principles, rendered without bargains,
deals or bribes, to factional friend or
foe alike, and rendered solely upon
the grounds of confidence and con-
stancy in the Republican cause. In
the recent campaign not a cent from
any candidate entered The Tribune's
pocket over and above payment
for small amounts of adVertis-
ing and job work together with
one days extra distribution Of
papers. Even to the printing of cuts
OF candidates The Tribune bore the
whole expense of its advocacy of the
Republican ticket. ana has done the
same since its first issue. We do not
note these minor circumstances in any
spirit of complaint or regret; but In
view of them we confess to be
curious to know of the straight
Republican voters Of Lackawanna
county whether they wish here
after to be parties to the shame
full treachery which characterizes the
political dealings of Hon. Joseph A.
Scranton and his piratical newspaper,
the Scranton Doodle Republican, or
whether they really believe in de-
cency and fair play and stand ready to
encourage these characteristics in Re-
publican journalism.