Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-05-16
FREELAND, Pa, MAY lG, 1898.

From Philadelphia City and State.

From Philadelphia City and State.
1t seems to be extremely difficult, If
not impossible, to obtain from even our
best journals such an impartial iudg-
ment of Mr.. Wanamaker's claims to the
governorShip on a reform ticket as they
readily give that gentleman's just and
severe arraignment of Quay. Even such
excellent papers as the New York Eren-
ing Post, the OWlOOb, and the Independcnt.
quite fail for some cause to touch the
heart of the truth. They call sharp at
tention to Mr. Wanamaker's arraign-
ment of Mr.. Quay, but they offer no
adequate comment, so far as we have
seen, OF our arraignment of Mr.. Wana-
maker. The Post gives great editorial
prominence to Mr.. Wanamaker's expo
SureS Of Mr.. Quay's control of many
newspapers in Pennsylvania, but fails
to point out Mr.. Wanamaker's equally
dangerous control of others. The con-
trast between the Posts past and present
Wanamaker policy is striking in this
regard, In January, 1896, commenting
the Post said;
Wanamaker'S hold on the newspapers
Of Philadelphia is almost complete, and
all on account of the page lads" he fre
quently places, and the regular two and
three columns of advertisements which
appear as regularly in each morning and
afternoon newspaper as the weather for
casts, with the exception hereafter
noted. He is never criticised in these
papers. Neither his connection with the
keystone bank failure nor the movement
10 have City Treasurer Bardsley pardon
ed has been exploited, nor his short
comingS as postmaster general.
Now is the time when the Post can,
with great effect take up the episodes
in Mr.. Wanamaker's career, which. as
that journal truly says, the Philadelphia
dailieS will not touch, and so clearly
show Mr.. Wanamaker'S unfitness for the
gOvernorship. 1t is evident that until
there can be had fair and free discus
sion of a candidates record and merit
before the public that wholesome condi-
lions will not exist and that genuine
reform is not possible. No daily paper
in this city will dare to give its real
opinion Of DR.. Swallows merits or Mr.
Wanamaker's dement's because it can
not afford to offend the great fountain
Of newspaper wealth. Nor is it only in
the city but in many Of the counties that
MIR. Wanamaker exercises the same in
lluence over the newspapers. We have
number of amusing Illustrations of the
extent to which this journalistic control
has been carried by the great merchant
prince.
The IadepehdeRt, commenting last week
with astonishment on the failure Of Mr..
Wanamaker to secure the votes of enough
county delegates to triumph in the con,
yention, adds:
This is not little strange, for the
revelations he has made of party intrigue
and party arrangements, the POLITICAL
crimes he has brought home to the boss"
ought, ID would seem. to create moral re-
yulsion in any average American state.
His accusations are not refuted or eX-
planned away. They are made in the
most impressive and convincing wa :,
but apparently without adequate result.
But why should Quay feel it necessary
to explain when Mr.. Wanamaker placed
in relatively tho same position, does not
explain? We have shown the Lhdfpen-
dent how to solve its riddle, but we doubt
if it will either accept the solution or
give it to its readers. Not until we are
willing to measure the rich religious
strong man by the same non-elastic yard
stick of truth that we apply to others
will true reform be possible.