Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-11-17
Especial Correspondence.)

Reafirmed Their Devotion to Res
publican Principles.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, Nov. l5.-The battle OF
the ballots has been fought and won.
Colonel William A. Stone has been
chosen governor of Pennsylvania by
a majority of 1926 over George A.
jerks, the Democratic nominee. Such
majority under ordinary circum-
stances would be remarkable. Under
existing circumstances, considering the
character of the campaign waged, the
majority is a phenomenal one
Genuine Republicanism has been vim
dicated. and guerrilla methods. as APP
piled to political warfare, have been
repudiated.
The fight against Colonel Stone was
conceived in vindictiveness and born in
hatred. The day following John Wan
amaker's defeat for the United States
senate. in January, 1897 he registered
a vow to destroy, IL possible, the po-
litical leaders whom he held responsible
for his undoing, even though 1t should
be necessary to smash the Republican
party to bring about that result.
program was outlined and agreed upon,
and the campaign for vengeance was
begun. A newspaper and literary bu-
reau was established at Harrisburg,
and the work of educating the peo-
pie was begun. Information was sent
out day after day regarding the
movements of those members of the
legislature who had not voted for Mr..
Wanamaker, facts being distorted, mis-
representation being INDUCED in, and
falsehood being resorted to whenever
everything else failed This was kept
up until the close of the session in July
of that year. AS the inevitable result
of this sort of work, continued day af-
ter day, the minds of the people be-
came impregnated with the poison, in
sidiously instilled into them, until,
when the Legislature adjourned, the
public was disposed to believe it the
most corrupt and eXtrayagant body
that had ever met at Harrisburg,
whereas 1t was not one whit worse than
any one of it's predecessors, and, so far
as extravaganza went, not nearly 50
bad as the legislature of 1895 immedi-
ately preceding.
That was the first chapter in the
Wanamaker campaign of vengeance.
The newspaper and literary bureau
newspaper men in Pennsylvania being
in charge. Week after week the smut
mills of the Wanamaker bureau ground
out the poison throughout the balance
of 1897 and until the close of the polls
on the Sth of November of the present
year. such interior state newspapers as
We're under the control Of or in SYM
pathy with the Wanamaker program
being the vehicle through which the
vile stuff reached the people.
The second stage of the conspiracy
was attained early in 1898. when it was
determined TO defeat Colonel William
A. Stone for the governorship, il at all
possible. No serious effort was put
forth at the primaries to elect dele
gates, but u bluff fight was made in
the interest of Mr.. Wanamaker, simply
to create public sentiment against Col
onel Stone, to be used later on after
the state convention, for the benefit of
Swallow or of the Democratic nominee,
as might be deemed best. at the proper
time for decision.
But a difficulty confronted the cabal
of Wanamaker schemers. After the
most critical scrutiny of Colonel Stones
public record and private life. both
were found to be absolutely without a
flaw. In no possible manner could
there be any personal assault made
upon him, nor was there throughout
the memorable campaign just closed.
There never was another such con-
spicuous case. Even Colonel Roose-
welt, the Republican gubernatorial can
didate in New York, was viciously as
sailed upon personal grounds, but Col
onel Stone was not. Mr.. Wanamaker
and his henchmen were in desperation,
compelled to resort to the silly expedi-
ent of piling upon Colonel Stones back
all the sins of commission and omis-
sion, real and manufactured, of the
last legislature, in spite of the fact
that his duties as n member of con-
gress kept him continuously in Wash
ington, preventing him, had he been
otherwise disposed, from making a sin
gle visit to Harrisburg while the leg
islature of 1897 was in session.
From the moment of Colonel Stones
nomination for governor, in June last,
up to the close of the polls week
ago. he was made the target OF the
mud guns mounted behind the earth
works of the Wanamaker bureau, and
this was supplemented by the oratoricai
trades of Mr.. Wanamaker, DR. Swal-
low anu lhe Siilslllet Try from the
stump. In nearly every county. more
over. the Republican candidates for the
legislature were assaiIed. despite the
fact that out OF 229 nominees only 70
were members of the last legislature,
and of these only 80 had voted for Mr.
Penrose for the United States senate.
Not content with vilifying Colonel
Stone and the Republican candidates
for the state senate and house
of representatives. the mud bat
teries of the opposition We're leveled
against Senator Quay, loaded to the
muzzle with vituperation. misrepre-
sentation and falsehood. the brutal at
tacks upon him eliminating in his
sensational arrest, for political effect, 30
days before the election.
The combined work of the notorious
literary bureau and of Mr.. Wanamaker
and DR.. Swallow upon the stump was
supplemented by the support of four