Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-12-08


neither of these party leaders would al
low any of his associates in the legisla-
lure to do anything calculated to arouse
feeling OF disregard or disrespect for
party organization or party discipline.
None of the Philadelphia members OF
the legislature, with possibly one ex-
ception, the single NVanamaker mem
/ her of the house, it is declared, would
for an instant think of keeping out of
the Republican caucus
The scheme Of the Wanamaker poiiti.
cal bureau is 90 get the Democratic
members to support Koontz, of Somer-
| set, Wanamaker Republican, for
speaker. with the understanding that
the Democrats are to get a liberal share
of the patronage of the house and the
control of important committees. The
Wanamakerites will make no specific
agreement on the United States sena-
torship. They want to elect Wanamaker
if they can; next they are for Gordon.
who is Wanamaker's Philadelphia DEM
ocratic ally and adviser, and if they can
not get him they will turn in for any
Democrat. With them it is anybody to
defeat Quay, whom WanamalSer, Cor
don and District Attorney Graham, OF
Philadelphia, are determined TO wipe
out" at all hazards.
Democrats FOR THEIR PARTY
But the Democratic leaders have not
taken kindly to the Wanamaker idea of
doing business. They see that Wana-
maker is working his own political
game, and that although they would
represent the big end of any successful
fusion deal that might be made, they
are only allowed to play second fiddle
according to the Wanamaker program
Influential Democrats maintain that az
the Democrats have "a straight votes.
and only 20 Republican votes are neces-
sary to make up the 103 required to
elect a speaker. a Democrat should be
supported for the speakership. There
are already three strong men in the De-
mocracy of Pennsylvania engaged in a
canvass for the Democratic caucus nom
ination for the speakership. They are
Robert McCay Foster of Centre. Chas.
Is. Spatz OF Berks and Captain George
w. Skinner of Fulton
They are all former members and
well equipped for the position.
Mr.. Foster is a graduate of the State
college and is recognized as leading
and influential Democrat of Centre. He
camille life. and is methodical and exact
in his habits. He would make a good
speaker, as he always commands the
attention and respect of his colleagues.
His votes in the last session of the
legislature should commend him to the
independent Republicans. who claim
that their only desire is that the speak
ers chair shall be filed by some one
In sympathy with reform. Berks coun-
tvs Democratic candidate for the
speakership. Mr.. SpatZ. is a native of
Philadelphia He was born in Novem-
Der. 1855. Just five years after Mr.. Fos-
ter first saw the light OF day. The
SpatZ household was transferred to
Boyertown in 1872, where the subject of
this passing comment attended the
common schools, and he afterward at
tended the Kallynean academy and Mt.
Pleasant seminary, of Boyertown. In
1884 az the death of his father he be-
came editor and publisher of the Boy
ertoWn Democrat and Der Boyertowp
Bauer, two of Berk's county's leading
papers. which he has successfully con-
Quoted up 10 the present time lie has
always been an active ana consistent
Democrat and stands we.i in his party.
The thifd and mes. prominent candi-
date. Captain Skinner. is on" Of the
best known Democrats in the keystone
state. lie was born in Franklin coun-
ty in January. 1876 WAS educated at
Washington ard Jefferson college, en-
listed as q private in the Seventy-sev-
enth Penns y,varia volunteers az the
age of l6, and rose 10 the rank OF cap
tain, serving over three years in the
army. He was elected to the legisla-
ture from Franklin county in 1869 and
1870 and from Fulton county in 1883,
1890 and 1892 He was journal clerk of
the house in 1875 and 1876, Democratic
caucus nominee for speaker in 1891
He was pension agent for the western
district of Pennsylvania under Cleve-
lands last administration Captain
Skinner is a lawyer. editor OF the Full
ton Democrat and is engaged in the
tanning and mercantile business.
Philadelphia Leads OFF in Wiping
Ont All Renuhlican Fac.