Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-03-28
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
FREELAND, PA, MARCH 9s, 1898.
How to Elect a Peoples Candidate.


From Philadelphia City and State.
1t is probable that more men in Penn
sylvania realize the Importance of
securing better government than have
ever before in the history of the state
been deeply stirred on that subject
These men are beating about for some
wise means to secure the end they desire.
They are voters, and they are called by
different party names-Repubicans,
Democrats, Populists, Labor Party men
and Prohibitionists. 1t will be not only
within the bounds of possibility but of
probability to secure in large measure
what they are after land what the pro-
longed thefts, peculations,' corruption
whose name is legion-now render
absolutely necessary, if all these good
men will only consent to adopt the
simplest Of expedients; indeed so simple
it is, so easy to put into practice, that
we have only to fear that its very sim
plicity, like the command given by the
Hebrew prophet to the Syrian leper to
dip seven times in Jordan in order to
recover, may send some of our good
friends "aways in rage" Neverthe-
less we shall hazard our remedy.
There is not one of these parties that we
have mentioned, all of which go to form
the political whole of this state, that
alone, and unaided by one or more of
the others, can hope to elect a governor
at the next election-eXcepting the
majority party, the Republican. But
its victory under any circumstances
makes continuance of ring rule and of
consequent corruption inevitable. Every
one admits this is certainly true If Quay
wins in the convention. If he shall be
sufficiently frightened into seeming good
behavior by the strength of the Wanna
maker fight against him or by the rapid
development of Swallows strength, he
may put up fair candidate for COVER
nor; but he will be sure to place enough
men elsewhere on the ticket to main
tain his hold upon the party.
Those voters will indeed be foolish
who allow themselves to be lulled into
false security by any concession Quay
may make. He and his ticket should be
destroyed utterly, as the Amelekies and
kindred tribes were of old. If Mr..
Wanamaker should win in the conven-
tion, which is highly improbable, it will
mean only a triumph Of the Martin and
Magee faction. Then everything which
they do not control will be turned to the
advantage of the merchant prince, with
Pennsylvania made, as far as can be, an
adjunct to the Grand Depot. There
must be OF necessity the elevation of
Van Valkenburg and Frank Willing
Leach as heads over some kinds OF
principalities and powers in reward for
their services in the expenditure Of that
'cash" which Mr.. Wanamaker told the
public in 1887 was the great necessity of
successful campaign. They will be
entitled to such honors.
We can not expect, in this event, to
obtain what Mr.. Wanamaker has called
an educated civil service" " for both he
and they in all their public career
have been opposed to this fundamental
reform and foundation-stone of good
government. The good citizen, of what
ever party, would still be left with pre-
cisely the same need for independent
coalition and action if he really desired
any permanent improvement in the pre-
sent bad state of affairs. But suppose
the probable happens, and Mr.. Wana
maker is defeated in the conventions then
he is eliminated from the contest, unless
he bolts the party, which he has never
done before, and which the express utter
ances Of his Lancaster speech should 0f
he wishes his friends to consider him an
honorable NAM prevent him from doing.
Then the field is divided between the
Quay ticket and the really independent
candidate, DR.. S. Swallow, fearless,
honest, strong man, who showed his
metal last autumn and who stands on a
platform so plain that the humbest can
comprehend it-"for honest govern
ment;" and whose single cry is that
fraud-piercing eighth commandment,
Thou shalt not steal.' ths one cry neeC-
ed in Pennsylvania today-to her shame
,oe it said.