The times., 1898-11-13
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1898.
PennsyIvania's Disgrace.

Senator Quay, in a formal announce
ment of his purpose to stand for re-
election. says: There has never been
such contest in Pennsylvania or any
other commonwealth. Those who en-
gagged in the warfare against the Re
publican candidates and against those
conspicuous in the councils of the party,
cast issues and principles to the four
winds, and the contest was a man hunt,
pure and simple That is an accurate
statement of the case. There was no
question of national policy or of ordi-
nary State concerns, but solely whether
the electors of Pennsylvania would
longer tolerate the political supremacy
of Senator Quay. This issue the Re
publican organization accepted. The
fight was made on the record of Senator
Quay, with which the whole country is
fairly wtll acquainted. AS a part of
the case against him court proceedings
were instituted and it was made clear
by his own letters that he had used the
State funds-as he is said to have done
years ago-to secure money borrowed
for stock speculations. 1t is safe to say
that nobody doubted the truth of the
charges.
Eminent and respected citizens. Re-
publicans, among them John Wanna
maker, believed that if the people were
offered an opportunity to vote singly on
the question of the continued suprem-
acy of a man of Quay's record, they
would give an overwhelming majority
against him. They canvassed the State
and enlisted the aid of the leading Re-
publican newspapers, exposing the un-
slightly character of this dictator. Not
a voter was allowed to remain ignorant
of the exact meaning of his ballot. Di-
rect charges of unscrupulous conduct
and the Illegal use of public moneys for
his personal ends were made by respon-
sible citizens against Quay and he was
challenged to sue them for SANDER.
With the distinct knowledge that Re-
publican success would mean popular
Endorsement of the INSCRIPTIONS boss
and the perpetuation of his power as
dictator, the Republicans of Pennsyl-
vania gave majority of $4,000 for
Quay. He says il is his vindication;
but in truth it is an indictment of the
Republican masses in the State.
1t is almost incredible when we con-
slider the history of Pennsylvania. There
is none prouder in the land. II was
created by the honest Quaker in whose
honor 1t was named and dedicated to
a superior civilization, which for a CEN
tury it promised to realize. In ali its
first laws, the probity of public servants
IN nj nf al1 IL
its early constitution provided that the
house of representatives of the free
men of this commonwealth shall consist
of persons most noted for wisdom and
virtue, to be chosen by the freemen of
every city and county respectively"
One section provided that whenever
an office becomes so profitable as to
occasion many to apply for it, the
profits ought TO be lessened by the leg
islature." Another provided for the
election, every seventh year, of a coun-
ell of censors to inquire whether Of
ficials had been honest and true to their
duties; whether the constitution had
been enforced and whether any officials
had assumed or exercised greater pow
ers than the constitution authorized
Surely Pennsylvania seemed destined
by her early traditions to a superior po-
litical life. Quite as virtuous and as
careful of the public good and quite as
averse TO political chicanery and cor
ruption We're the Germans who follow
ed the Quakers into this promising
commonwealth.
Such was the disinterested patriotism
and the example of good government
of Pennsylvania, that its chief city was
chosen as the meeting place for the
convention that adopted the Declara-
tion of Independence, and of the Con-
gress. Yet. in that State a man who