The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-12

publican. deeming America good
enough for him at such a time, re-
manned in the old commonwealth and
rave his best efforts in behalf Of party
success.
But time passed: it is way time has.
Finally. 1886 came, and with it another
senatorial campaign wes precipitated.
With the advent of summer Of that
year Mr.. Wanamaker came home from
Europe post haste. The time had come
FOR participation In politics. for he had
concluded TO be a candidate for Office
himself. Delegates and Legislators were
scarce on the banks of the Rhine, the
iiber and the Seine.
THE SENATORIAL BEE BUzZEs-
But he must confne himself to the
limits OF Pennsylvania Chairman
Hanna, of the Republican national
committee. offered him his old place on
the finance committee. but he declined.
He had other fish to fry" II was not
the presidency which concerned him
that summer The senatorial bee
buzzed about his ears, and ne must
needs follow that bewitching, siren like
insect whithersoever it might lead.
which he believed TO be great hive of
luscious honey-the United States sena-
torship.
But he did not yet unfold his plans TO
the public He made a tour of the state
Ostensibly to make speeches for Will
lam Mckinley. but in reality 10 build
political fences for John Wanamaker.
Though ne could not go to ths aid Of
Chairman Hanna in New York and
take a laboring oar in the desperate
struggle which was waged there for the
overthrow of the gigantic free silver
heresy. which came near fastening its
hideous grip upon the nation. yet ne
could spend the summer and fall travel
ing over and speaking throughout
Pennsylvania, which was sure to give
Mckinley a majority Of a quarter of
million. even though a speech should
not be made.
But it is cheaper TO open ones lungs
in political campaigning than ones
pOcketbook.
Though Mr.. Wanamaker. during all
this period, was making speeches os-
tensibiy for Mr.. Mckinley. and had not
declared himself a candidate for the
senate neither he nor his friends were
by any means idle Nearly a year be-
fore. in the fall Of 1885. his henchmen
began their secret work. setting up leg
slative candidates in Mr.. Wanamaker's
interest. According to a recent writer.
this is the way il was Gone:
HIS CAMPAIGN METHOD.
Beneath the aegis of his candidacy
had gathered the disappointed am
bitions of a score OF more defeated as
pirants for Office, so-called 'reformers,'
of every shade and condition. and a
coterie of the highest paid political
talent to be found in the market.
The work Of the Business Mems League
in Pennsylvania for President McKin-
ley was made secondary. and only a
cloak for a united effort 10 elect Mr..
Wanamaker to the United States SEN
ate. Branches of the League were es-
tablished in almost every county east
of the Allegheny mountains and
through them a determined effort was
made to set up candidates for the legis-
lature in the several counties favorable
TO Mr.. Wansmaker. In fact. unless a
candidate so announced himself, al
can OF known integrity. he was instant
ly met with opposition by the Business
Mems League. Paid emissaries of this
outfit under the auspices Of the League.
Travelled throughout the four corners Of
the state, and, as appeared from the
testimony taken in an alleged bribery
case, agreed to furnish money TO effect
the nomination and election OF candi-
written pledges that the candidates so
nominated and elected would support
Mr.. Wanamaker in his effort 10 reach
the United States senate"
OVER A THIRD OF A MILLION.
All this time Mr. wanamaker was
striding up and down the state. max
ing speeches for Mckinley" so he said.
making them where they were not
needed, while the party's great leaders.
in New York. Chicago. Washington and
elsewhere. were struggling TO evolve
victory out Of what seemed a hopeless
contest Though not proelaiming him
self a senatorial candidate until after
the presidential election. he was build
ing his political fences day by day; and
his lieutenants were raking the state
as with a fnetooth comb for Wana-
maker legislators.
1t has been aseertained from reliable
sources that the hopeless contest cost
over a third Of a million dOllars-$35e.-
600 to be precise.
And again the other fellow" was
elected senator.
AmbitIoa, Ambition. Thou inveterate.
insatiate tyrant let now Ny victim rest
f-r ~
spired. the curtain had no sooner been
rung down upon the caucus tragedy
the vote was against him by the ratio
OF l2s to 7l-than Mr. Wanamaker had
registered a new vow-go TO the United
States senate he would. or else play the
SsS,son role. and pull down the pillars
OF the Republican temple. even though
the party should be smashed and
crushed to atoms
A NEW CONSPIRACY MATCHED.
Il was then the new conspiracy was
hatched. Having fasled 90 secure an
entrance into the United States senate
through Republican channels. the next
effort should be made outside Of party
lines. The initial step lay in the d.
rection Of creating discord and dissen-
sion IN Republican circles and in bring
ing odium, not only Upon the leaders,
but upon the rank and hie OF the party,
A select cOtsrie of skilful politicians
and expert newspaper men WAS TO be
kept in Harrisburg throughout the ses-
sion. whose duties were 10 Rssail every
act OF the legislature. misrepresent the
ooines and purposes Of the Republican
legislators and party leaders. and SOW
in the popular mind. throughout the
state. seeds of discomfort. As the result
Of such a program. a cry OF reform
Was to be raised. and an effort made 70
elect an anti-Republican legislature.
the real though hidden purpose being
the election OF Mr.. Wanamaker to the
United States senate
That was the conspiracy hatehed out
that night at the Commonwealth hotel.
Harrisburg when Nh Wanamaker