The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-11-23
Especial Correspondence


utfcal leaders whom he held responsible
for his undoing. even though Il should
be necessary TO smash the Republican
marty to bring about that result A
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-
ple 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 az
ter day, the minds Of the people be-
came impregnated with the poison. IN
sidiousiy instllled into them, until,
when the legislature adjourned, the
public was disposed 70 believe II the
most corrupt and extravagant body
that had ever met at Harrisburg,
whereas Il was not one whit worse than
any one OF its predecessors, and. so Tar
as extravaganza went. not nearly 81
bad as the legislature OF 1885, immedi-
ately preceding,
That was the first chapter In the
Wanamaker campaign Of vengeance.
The newspaper and literary bureau
was continued, one Of the shrewdest
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
were under the control Of or in SYM
pathy with the Wanamaker program
being the vehicle through which the
vile stun 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. If at all
possible. No serious effort was put
forth at the primaries to elect dele
gates. but a 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
Swa low 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
ddate in New York. was viclously as
sailed upon personal grounds. but Col
onel Stone was not Mr. Wanamaker
and his henchmen were in desperation.
compelled 10 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 a member Of con-
gress kept him continuously in Wash
ington. preventing him. had he been
otherwise disposed. from making a sim
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 oratorioai
Trades Of Mr.. Wanamazer. Dr. Swal-
low and the smaller fry from the
stump. In nearly every county. more
over. the Republican candidates for the
legislature we're assailed despite the
fact that out OF 229 nominees only ~
were members Of the last legislature.
and OF these only 60 lad 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 were leveled
against Senator Quay. loaded to the
muzzle with vituperation. misrepre-
sentation and falsehood. the brutal at
tacks upon him eliminating in hi
sensational arrest. for political effect, 3
days before The election.
The combined work OF the nOtoriou:
literary bureau and CT Mr.. wanamaSel
and DR.. Swallow upon the stump war
supplemented by the support of fopI
Philadelphia morning papers = tn,
Press. The Times. The Ledger and The
Record. to each one OF whom MIR. Wan
amaker pays yearly $4,000 for the six
column store advertisement which ap4
pears six days each week in thess
papers.
But all OF these agencies were of lit
lie consequence compared with rnat
finally resorted to. 10 wit; the employ
ment Of vast sums Of money AT the
close OF the canvass and on election
day. AS Is well known, Mr.. Wanamaker
Is a multl-millionaire, he being worth.
so II is understood. about SIS. GOO 900. He
Is free spencer. as was demonstrated
in his campaign for the United States
senate two years ago and his agents
ere not too particular as to methods
ef expenditure. as viii appear by ref
crence to the court records OF Schuyl-
Kill county, in the famous Van Valken-
burg case.
II was toward the close Of the cam
paign that the Wanamaker barrel was
tapped. and its contents distributed
throughout the state. where they
would do the most good"
Finally came the Sth Of November. \
FAY long 10 be remembered. The Gay
CT the scandal mcnger. the political IL
beler. the public falsifier. was overt
The day OF the plain. everyday voter
was at hand. Every form OF misrep-
resentation and deception. written,
printed and spoken. had been INDUCED
In for months. but the case was now
before the most majestic jury upon
earth-the voters themselves, face TO
face with the ballot box.
The verdict OF that jury Is known to
all men, BY vote CT almost half a
million freemen-f73.0s .0ss. TO be exact
being 1926 more than the vote given
his nearest competitor. Mr.. jerks
Colonel William A Stone has been
chosen chief magistrate of the old Key
stone state AS the result Of this. YER
dict, moreover, a legislature has been
elected in which the Republican ma
1ority is overwheiming-almos two to
one. indeed
And thus have the sovereign people
spoken; and. in speaking. they have
repudiated John wanamaker. silas c.
Swallow and the whole coterie of dem
aKogues, who. for weeks. have Travelled
up and down the state. mangnine their
fellow citizens and seeking TO over
throw Re3ublicanism In the citadel
OF its strength. The campaign Of ven
geance has come 10 naught The ke-
publican party OF Pennsylvania energies
from the contest stronger than ever
And Governor Stone and the incoming
legislature VIII demonstrate to the peo-
~ he - - fl~ne = l.