Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-01-05

~ NOT DeieFeO tnat any one VIII be
slated by the leaders. so that whoever
shall procure the largest number of
votes in the caucus at the outset of the
balloting will be apt to draw votes from
those less fortunate until he shall have
gotten a majority. There are 127 Re
pubicans. "A Democrats and 3 fusion
lists (former Republicans) in the house.
so that 81 votes will be a majority of
the Republican caucus.
The Democratic candidates for speak
er of the house, Skinner or Fulton, Fos-
ter of Centre and Spatz of Berks, are
all on the go, and each is hopeful that
IN the event of a factionai disagreement
among the Republicans he will get the
support of enough disgruntled Repub-
ilcans to elect him speaker. OF course,
nobody is harmed by these wild specu-
iations, and If it gives the gentlemen
who indulge in them any special sat-
isfaction it would b shame to deny
them this pleasurek The fact is that
the old time members OF the Legislature
realize that the Republican caucus
nominee for speaker is going to be
elected and they are not being carried
away with the fusion talk. They would
prefer to vote for u Democratic can
didate for speaker. as they then could
not be accused of taking sides in the
Republican quarrels. They are all
anxious not to offend the man who will
he speaker. as he viii have the maxi
ing of all committee appointments. Be-
sides this he will be in position to help
them in many other directions.
STONE rs SILENT
Governor elect Stone is as silent as
a sphinx as to his cabinet appoint
ments. No one can, up to date make,
with any degree of authority, n predic-
ton as to Il single nomination. We
are all anxious to know who will be
the attorney general, who will take
David Martins place as secretary of
the commonwealth. who viii be insur-
ance commissioner, who VIII be bank
ing commissioner, and who win M the
several other good berths at the dis
posal OF the governor. Because OF his
efficient services in the canvass for the
nomination and subsequently in the
conduct of the campaign for the cleo
tlon State Chairman Elkin has been
regarded by many as entitled to recog
milton, and his name has been men
toned in connection with the appoint
ment as attorney general. Mr. Elkn's
friends. commenting upon the opposi-
ton to mis- selection for this office. point
to the fact that the objections come
from the same newspapers that op-
posed Colonel Stone not only for the
nomination, but also for the election. |
They declare that these are not the
sources from which the governor elect
is likely to seek advice when he comes
to make up his cabinet. The opinion |
prevails that Colonel Stone will not
p,p lsn Of
ments uutil the Inauguration. General
Reeder of Northampton, w. w. Griest
of Lancaster, Senator Israel w Dur
others have been mentioned Tor secre-
tary of the commonwealth, but it is |
known from the highest authority that
no one has vet been chosen for the |
place. Colonel Stone has been in con-
sultation with leading Republicans in |
different counties, ana Is making an |
earnest effort TO harmonize the var
ious elements in the Republican party. |
1t is believed that he VIII make a |
splendid record in the executive office. |
Plans for the inauguration are pro-
crossing favorably. There is a DISPOSE |
ton to oppose the bringing OF many |
troops to take part in the Inaugural |
ton parade. 1t Is not believed that the !
members of the National Guard, many |
of whom We're away from home for i |
long time during the recent war, have |
any desire to come here. There will be |
delegation of veterans from Colonel |
Stones old regiment, and q number |
of Republican clubs from Philadelphia, |
Pittsburg and other cities. Many Of |
these will be accompanied by their own |
bands of music, and special banners |
and uniforms have been ordered for the |
occasion
Among the recent visitors here was |
Colonel Clayton McMlchael of Phila-
delphia. He is one OF the closest friends |
of President Mckinley in nnsylvania. |
In commenting upon the senatorial con-
test Colonel McMichael said:
Very much is being made of Sena-
tor Quay's action in standing as a can
didate for reelection in view of the |
charges which have been made against /
him. Is there any public official with |
Senator Quays record of duty perform
ed who would retire under fire? What |
proof has been advanced yet that Sena-
tor Quay is guilty? And in the absence
of such proof, which can only be pro-
duced upon the trial of his case, COM
mon decency, as we'll as the law, says
he shall be presumed to be innocent. |
every candidate for office could
be induced to retire from the field upon
charges against his honesty and integ-
rity being preferred, would there be
lacking political enemies who would in
stigate these charges for the direct
purpose of forcing the candidate from
the field? In the case against Senator
Quay the prosecutors are, without
single exception. men who are noto-
riously his political enemies. There is
not among them man who can be said
to be politically unbiased. All Of them
are men who have bitterly contested
Senator Quay's leadership in Pennsyl-
Vania for years past. Add to this the
fact that although the alleged evidence
upon which the prosecution Is based
was in possession of these men for
IL was not until on the ava of |