Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-03-16
BILL" FLINN'S
NEW AMBITION.
The Boss" Of Allegheny Wants
to Be Republican State
Chairman.
A STARTLING PRESUMPTION.

Bolter Promptly Rebuked by the Re-
publican Voters ofTwo Counties and
Others are Waiting to Get Chance
at Him.
Especial Correspondence.)
Philadelphia, March 14.-Leading Re
publcans from interior counties Of the
state who have been in this city the past
week have been discussing with manifest
amusement the latest move OF the man
ayers of the Martin Finn Wanamaker
combine. They now want to assume con
troll of the Republican organization of
Pennsylvania. Senator ''Bilf' Finn, the
boss contractor of Pittsburg, is an
avowed candidate for the chairmanship
Of the Republican state committee. He
makes this startling announcement
through one of his political henchmen at
Pittsburg, Police Magistrate 'Arche'
Mackerell. The good people of the state
are accordingly expected to promptly and
humbly bow to this edict, and at once di-
rect their energies to put the machinery
TO work to elect delegates to the Republi-
can state convention who will hand the
leadership of the Republican party over
TO the Honorable Mr.. Bill Finn.
The presumption of this now rich and
money proud political boss is beyond the
understanding of even the most practical
and the boldest of politicians of the
state. Those who have watched the
pompous actions and remarkable man
nerisims OF this inflated individual at
Harrisburg have not only been disgusted.
but amazed at his conduct. Finn, owing
TO his wonderful success in getting CON
tracts under the municipality where his
machine is in absolute control OF the
various departments, has made an i'm
mense fortune. He has come to the front
in state politics on the wave of Wana-
makerism. and through the prominence
given him in the newspapers controlled
by the Wanamaker advertisements, he
imagines he is one OF the great men of
Pennsylvania.
The spectacle of city Dcss OF the
type Of Finn at the head Of the Re
publican organization of this common
wealth would not be calculated to arouse
much enthusiasm among the plain Re
publican voters OF the interior counties
of the state. There has always been a
prejudice against the election of Il man
from either Philadelphia or Pittsburg to
the state craftsmanship, as the country
Republicans do not regard city poll
tician as properly equipped to meet the
requirements of the position. Films OBJ
jectionable record would make him
doubly distasteful to the people. The
idea of man who has been for two
months bolter from regular Republi-
can caucus aspiring to the role of state
chairman. who must preach loyalty to
party principles and candidates as well,
is rather peculiar. But Finn is noted for
his nerve. The Republicans of the state,
however, will have something to say
about his aspirations.
BOSS F'LINN REJECTED.
Already two counties. the first to be
heard from since the announcement Of
Flinn's candidacy, have through the Re
publican primaries emphatically rejected
the new boss. Wanamakerism and the
aspirations for state leadership OF Bosses
Martin. of Philadelphia, and Finn, of
Pittsburg, were given crushing defeat
by the Republican voters OF Union
county last Saturday The first oppor-
tunity Of the Republicans to rebuke the
tratorous work Of this coterie at the
last general elet ton in this county. when
they backed fusion with the DemOc-
racy. was then presented. The loyal and
stalwart party men made their state
ments manifest in their ballots at the
primary election. The regular RepubIi-
cans at Harrisburg who are supporting
the caucus nominee for United States
senator are fully indorsed in the vote.
The primary elections in Union county
are conducted on the Crawford county
plan, where every Republican votes di-
H. ~. H..
condition seemed favorable for Il fair and
square expression by the voters on the
question Mt issue. The result was n COM
plete route OF the Finn -Martin-Wana
maker contingent. which made violent
efforts to gain an expression against SEN
ator Quay and Representative Focht. |
Toward the close of the campaign the
contest grew fierce, and the widest in
terest was manifested. Attorney Mackcy, |
agent of Finn and Wanamaker, went up
TO Lewisburg from Harrisburg and was
On the ground several days directing the |
anti-Quay and anti-Focht side Of the |
contest.
Their slogan was "No More Quayism |
Dr Fochtism.''
The challenge was accepted by ex Rep
Focht. and the friends of |
Senator Quay. who wrote across their |
banners ''No Outside Interference by |
Party Wrcckcrs and Caucus Bolters."
A sweeping victory was won over Will
am NJ. Ginter, the Finn Martin Wana-
maker candidate by w. Ii. Rothermel,
who was backed by Quay's friends. Gin
Ter lost his own ward by 81 majority. |
md his town by 258 majority. while he
vas showed under in the county by ,OOO
ma iority ont of n total vote of 100 |
Nine-tenths of the county committeeman
are anti-Flinn- Martin Wanamaker and
Ill friends of Quay, insuring the party
organization for another year. The coun- |
v had been flooded with anti-Focht and