Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-03-02


WEALTH HAS TURNED HIS HEAD.
David II. Lane, who VIII BE the Pro-
mier of tho Ashbridge Administra-
tion, Comes Out strongly For sena-
tor Quay's Recollection, and Martin
ism Ceases to Dominate the Quaker
City Organization.
Especial Correspondence)
Philadelphia, Feb. 2S.-David Martin,
who, within few years, has risen from
Philadelphia policeman to be number
ed among the millionaires of Pennsylvas
mia, has been dethroned from the leader
ship of the Republican party OF Philadel-
phia. His sudden and almost unpre-
| cedented accumulation of wealth must
have turned his head. When he mingled
with the boys at his ward Republican
club Martin was Il stout champion of
party discipline and loyalty to Republi
can nominees. 1t was his proud boast
| that he never dotted an ~ or crossed a
~ on the Republican ticket, but that
he always voted for every man III the
Republican column. He became Il power
| in Philadelphia politics. He was i'll alb
| solute control of city councils. and when
he traitOrOusly defeated Penrose for
mayor he placed II willing tool in the
| office instead of the avowed choice of the
young Republicans of Philadelphia.
| For four years with Warwick as mayor
Martin has been in absolute and undis-
| putcd command of local legislation and
! of the immense city patronage. He was
among the most potential of the little
! cot tari. nf ful lists Nyh IN
put through the job leasing the city gas
works, a franchise for which over $10,-
| 100000 was offered many years ago.
| With the growth of the city and the i'm
| proved and economical methods of man
| ufacturing gas this plant has since in
| creased enormously III value. Other
| schemes, great contracts for municipal
| improvements, extensive street paving
| projects and the like. were put through
| despite public protests, and many even
| i'll touch with the boss became immense
| ly wealthy. Martin now has "a town
| house." IL modest home in his old dis
trct, which he seldom visits, a mag
| nifcent country seat" ut Torresdale,
| with IA stable that alone cost over 500
900, and with about $4,000 worth of
| improvements being placed on the prop
| erty this winter, and he also maintains
an elegant suite of apartments at the
| fashionable Stratford hotel IN this city,
| where the blue bloods OF old Philadel-
I phia society look on Nlth amlzclnent at
his eXtravagant display Of wealth. Boss
| Martin is said to have made over half
Il million dollars in the stock market dur
| ing the last six months.
| WEALTH MAKES \ CHANGE.
But his recently acquired wealth has
| wrought Il great change in him political
| ly. He now wants to associate with
| the Wanamakers and the Dolans and
| other millonaires. He has new ideas
as TO party fealty and loyalty to organ
ization, and they are not at all in ac-
| cord with the notions of the ordinary
every day Republicans of this city
| The election of Samuel III. Ashhridge to
the mayoralty, with his official plurality
of 1222,204, was brought about by the
votes of the plain people. Mr.. Ash
| bridge has for years been associated
with David ii. Lane, one of the most
retiring yet powerful political factors in
| the city. Ashbridgc dctests hypocrisy.
| He is in touch with the people, and is
| disgusted with Martins new preten-
| sions.
| Mr.. Ashbridge's nomination for mayor
must undoubtedly he attributed to his
| popularity, his strong personality and
stalwart Republicanism. yet there can
| be no disputing the fact that Mr.. Lane
must be given great credit for getting
| the party leaders to recognize the pub
lie and party sentiment in favor of Mr..
| Ashbridgc. and TO gracefully concur in
his nomination.
4 significant declaration which came
from Mr.. Lane Il few days ago created Il
big sensation. 1t is taken TO mean that
if David Martin continues to act the
role of party boltcr he can expect no
consideration nor favors from the new
city administration. Mr.. Lane came
out boldly in favor OF the reelection of
Senator Quay. and the new mayor is un-
doubtedly of the same mind Mr.. Lane
said:
1.-The magnificent victory in the election
of Mr.. Ashbrdge was due mainly TO the
leaders of the organization taking coun-
sci with their Judgment instead of with
their resentments and disappointments.
They realized that loyalty 70 their action
by Republican voters depended upon
loyalty and fidelity among themselves.
The cardinal and guiding principle among
Republicans should be to ascertain the
will of the majority, as expressed at
primary conventions or party caucuses,
and abide thereby. The result of the
election in our city ought To be an object
lesson to our mistaken friends In
Harrisburg who are pursuing Il course
TO disrupt party organization. Almost
every senator and member owes his
position to party organization, without
which support they could not have been
elected. The only road 10 political pre-
ferment in our party is through conven-
tiolls of delegates expressing the views
and wishes Of their constituents. A
party caucus in dclibcrative body has
the SAME binding force as purity pri-
mary cr convention. All these instru
mentalties are for the purpose of as
certaining the will OF the majority. So
that unity OF action may follow. Those
who are in politics to stay cannot af-
ford to set an example that may return
to plague them. For merely selfish con
siderations. if for no other, Republican
leaders should jealously guard the ladder