The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-21
PARTY LEADERS
FOR HARMONY.
Philadelphia Leads OF in Wiping
Out All Republican Fac
tional Lines.
MARTIN AS A sTALwART.
lie Declines to Join the wanamaker-
Gordon -Graham Com biae and stands
10y HIS Party--Mcclure scores Judge
Gorhon-The Quay Case.
lspeclal correspondencel }

contest for the Republican nomination
for mayor. which is now under way.
Though the convention viii not be held
until the 2sth inst, the result is al
ready fcreshadowed in the combination
II forces back OF the candidacy OF
Samuel H. AshbridSe. who at last
months election was chosen to sue
ceed himself as coroner. Ashbridge Is
popular with the rank and file Of the
Republican party. and. with a positive
strength of his own. and with friendly
relations with all the leaders. he was
the logical candidate for them TO unite
upon. This was done after an agree
ment among themselves that facti0nal
hostfities must cease. After several
years OF the most bitter and expensive
contests ever waged within any po-
litical organization II is a source OF
satisfaction to all that combiners and
anti-combiners. leaders leagues and
5ther factionists shall cease to exist as
such. and that all elements can sup
port an acceptable candidate. To the
mastery leadership Of Senator Quay
faay be attributed this happy solution
Of a problem which has been the oc-
easion OF so much concern to those who
party at heart. Senator Quay had
nothing to do with the selection OF 4
candidate: his work was TO bring about
harmony among the leaders. The
senior senator and David Martin are
now on very friendly terms. They have
had frequent conferences Of late and
evidently understand each other thor
oughly. David II. Lane. whom Colo
mel Quay designated as chief harmon
izer. meets Senator Martin almost daily,
and he also has quiet chats with SEN
ator Durham nearly every afternoon.
II is predicted that when the mayoralty
convention gets together there viii be
but one candidate placed in nomina-
ton. Coroner Ashbridge. His election
by an immense majority is assured
MARTIN A STALwART.
These harmonious relations are not
merely confined to local politics. but
they cover state politics as well. Sem
ator Martin gave his word to stand by
Colonel Stone. and despite the en-
treaties Of the Wanamaker-G Gordon
Graham combine to turn in for jerks
he Loyalty supported the whole Repub-
lIcan ticket, and the s5.c00 plurality for
Colonel Stone was the result. The same
influences are now working TO get SEN
ator Martin TO join In the fusion move
ment TO keep Republican members OF
the legislature out OF the Republican
caucus for speaker of the house. but
he replies. like Senator Magee. of Ale
gheny, that he is "a Republican" 1t
is Martins proud boast that be never
cut a candidate on any Republican
ticket. He has time and time again
emphasized his stalwart Republicanlsm.
and every one of his followers in the
legislature will be found in the Re
publican caucus and standing by the
choice Of the majority for speaker and
United States senator.
Interest naturally centers In the trial
Of Senator Quay. which comes up in
court on the 18th inst. Not even those
who are pushing this prosecution have
any idea that there viii be conviction
q any OF the defendants. The political
conspirators back of this most des-
rerate and contemplate case. however.
vainly hope that they may in some
manner injure Senator Quay so as to
affect him in his canvass for re-elec-
tion to the United States senate. The
combined energies and resources OF
thrown into this case have failed sig
nally to prejudice the public mind
against Senator Quay. 1t is everywhere
regarded as the most Infamous case Of
political persecution ever attempted in
this county. 1t is not generally known.
but It is a fact, nevertheless. that even
with the Quay interests having no op-
portunity to be represented by cOun-
Il - As
are never heard there. the grand jury
came within one vote of dismissing all
the indictments in the case And this
happened. too. after George s. Graham,
with all the power of the district at
torneys Office at his back, had spoken
for more than two hours. presenting
the case with all the coloring which
master in this line could paint against
the defendants. The vote was TO u in
favor OF letting the case go to trial.
Under the law Graham had to have
II votes or his case would have fallen
then and there The proceedings since
have been in line with what usually
happens under similar circumstances.
As was expected. Judge Finletter,
whose son is employed as an assistant
10 District Attorney Graham. and who
took part in the argument. dismissed
the demurrers OF Senator Quay's coun-
sci. and the case goes to the jury.
With anything like an impartial trial
acquittal OF the accused is bound TO
follow. Many leading citizens have
publicly expressed themselves I'm de-
claring that neither Senator Quay nor
his son Richard. in their transactions
with the Peoples bank. did anything
more than business men do every day
in borrowing money. for which they
give collateral and upon which they
pay the usual rate Of interest.
MCCLURE SCORES GORDON.
Probably the most amusing Of the
many exciting episodes Of this can=
paign against Senator Quay occurred
this week. following Judge Gordon's
sensational retirement from the bench
on the morning that the Quay case
was 10 come up in his court. II Judge |
Gordon had deliberately determined TO
further impress that idea upon the
minds Ct those who believe his retire
ment from the judiciary was due to his
fear Of the Impeachment proceedings |
contemplated by Senator Quay's friends
he cou'd not have made a move more |
calculated TO do so than that which he |
did this week. Colonel A. K. Mcclure, |
OF The Times. has been one Of the most
outspoken Of those who have criticized |
Judge Gordon's operations in politics !
while sitting on the bench. Gordon, |
stinging der these sharp comments. |
came out in a three column letter with |
q fierce attack on Mcclure. He accused |
him of attacking many judges because
they would not do as he wished. Of be-
ing at the head of a band Of legislators
in his earlier days who exacted tribute
for all 'egislation passed at Harrisburg. 1
and also declared that he was stilI in /
dehted TO the Peoples bank in a large
amount Of money. Mcclure. with /
characteristic boldness. printed Cor
don's letter I'm fun in his own paper, /
and Informed the editors OF the Phiia-
delrhia parers that ne had no objec-
tion TO their publishing II. In his own
paper. The Times. he gave the letter /
under this heading. THE Compliments
OF Forcib'y Disrobed Judge to the
Man Who JTnmasfed Him" In an
editorial reply The Tines said:
Whether Judge Gordon is to be pit
led as harmless lunatic, Wholly fr-
responsible for his utterances.s or
he is tc be criticized as an
intelligent citizen who appreciates the
malicious falsity OF his statements ac-
-HcinR rnen Whn have