The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-24
DR.. Swallow.

In forecasting the political probable
tiles in Pennsylvania this year sight
must not be lost of the fighting parson
from Dauphin county. He may once
more become a large fly in the oint-
ment.
1t begins to look somewhat doubtful
whether the Wanamaker revolt is go-
ing to fulfill the eXpectati tions of it's
founders. The campaign is young and
ere it shall be concluded there will be
abundant opportunity for the disclos-
ure of surprises and the consequent re-
vision of estimates. Hence it is not yet
to be inferred that the Wanamaker
movement has fallen fiat. But it is
undeniable that it has started limp
ingly and that so far as the capture
of a majority of delegates is concerned,
its prospect is far from bright. There
appears to be widely diffused among
many Republicans, who are not es-
pecially enamored of Andrews, Stone
and that group of leaders, a feeling of
dstrust of Mr.. Wanamaker in his pres
ent role as a political John the Baptist
trying to clear a pathway for the
nomination of better man than HIM
self. These Republicans want honest
government at Harrisburg. They don't
want the public funds to be stolen or
misappled. They don't want a new
capitol job foisted on the taxpayers of
the commonwealth. They don't want
another Legislature to repeat the mis-
takes the indiscretions and we might
In these particulars they are hand in
glove with Mr. Wanamaker, Mr.. Blank
enburg, the Messrs. Van Valkenberg
and Frank Willing Leach.
But the curious phenomenon of their
attitude at this time is that while they
are for reform and in dead earnest
they do not appear to be cvincing any
uncomfortable anxiety to stampede in
to the Wanamaker camp. On the con-
trary, they appear to regard the sac
riticial candidacy Of the Philadelphia
merchant with almost tantalizing in
difference. Evidently he does not i'm
press them as a reformer wholly un-
selfish and strictly genuine. Appar-
emily they have not forgotten the dis
closures made during the late sena-
tOrial canvass, and are reluctant to
accept at face value professions of vir-
tue by him which by an unconscious
mental process at once suggest an in
terrOgation point The Wanamakcr
following, so far as we can perceive,
is lively and a vociferous one, but
numerically ii appears to be much
smaller than that quiet body of think
ing Republican voters which has not
yet hoisted any factional emblem to
the summit Of its flag pole but which,
by all accounts, is a force in politics
to be reckoned with and one which if
affronted at Harrisburg on June ., will
make history in Pennsylvania on the
eighth day of the following November.
This great, thinking silent vote was
cast five months ago for DR.. Swallow
1t made little stir in advance, but when
the ballots were counted it surprised
folks. Will it support the Dauphin rep
resentative of the church militant
again? We commend this inquiry to
the attention of the Republican lead
ers. They may laugh and wax sarcas-
tic at the flattening campaign of Hon
John Wanamaker, but are they in any
position to smile with safety at the
possibilities involved in the candidacy
of DR.. Swallow? If they think they
are the triumph of the ring candidate
on June may be set down as certain
But in that event the responsibility fol
the consequences will not he with those
who seek in the meantime to open the
leaders eyes.