Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-09-07
Number 2I.

national convention of the Democratic
party. There will be the usual bluff
of the Democrats going to elect one or
more of their candidates on their state
ticket, but glance behind the scenes
will disclose the utter hopelessness of
their even polling the average Demo-
cratic vote. The minority party is
severed in every county, either faction
torn by local leaders contending for su-
premacy or absolutely discredted by
that large, influential and self respect
ing element which refuses to be swung
into line for Bryan and the dangerous
principles enunciated by the Chicago
platform, which, without exception or
qualification, were warmly and cordial
ly reaffirmed by the Harrisburg con-
vention, when placed the present free
silver Democratic state ticket in the
field, with that rampant Bryanite and
16 to l silver champion, State Chair
man Killing, chosen to conduct the
campaign in their interest The ex-
hibition in Pittsburg last week in the
Democratic county convention declar-
ing unequivocally and boisterOusly in
favor of the denomination of Bryan,
right in the home of Colonel Guffey
promptly gave the lie to the proclama-
tion of the Guffeyites that national
issues are not involved in the present
canvass in the Keystone state. With
their misleading and persistent state
issue cry, the Democratic leaders are
hopeful that their plans to lull the
friends of President Mckinley and stall
wart Republicans generally into feel
ing of security as to the outcome of
the election in Pennsylvania this fall
will eve successful By that means they
expect to create a condition of apathy
among the opponents which will keep
down the Republican vote. They will
make still hunt to get the Democrats
to the polls, and while secretly they
do not count upon the election of any
of their candidates on the state ticket,
they want to be able to point to re-
duced Republican majority as an evil
dence of their claim that President
Mckinley is not popular, that his war
policy is disapproved by the people,
even in usually stalwart state like
Pennsylvania, and that the Democrats
will have a fighting chance to regain
the presidency in 1900. Incidentally
they recognize that reduced Republi-
can majority in Pennsylvania, after the
action of the Democratic state conven-
tion and many county conventions in
proclaming him the Democracy's
choice, would give Bryan tremendous
boom for the nominT tion for the presi-
dency, and they believe would ma
terially aid him in his subsequent can
vass for election.
REEDER'S AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN
It is against these forces and these
cherished hopes of the Bryanite wing
Of the Democracy that General Frank
Reeder will wage an uuceasing and
unrelenting campaign as the Republi-
can field marshal His selection for
this important and responsible post
was not made without careful consid-
Grafton. The prompt and unanimous
action of the candidates on the state
ticket whose interests are most con-
cerned, and the presiding officer OF the
Republican state convention, United
States Senator Boies Penrose. in elect
ing GeneHeI Recder TO the chairman
ship of the Republican state conven'
ton. was a deserved tribute to an eX
perienced and successful leader. Gen
eral Reeder has had an interesting ga
reer He was but q youth, having
just left Princeton, when he entered
the Union army on the first call for
volunteers at the outbreak of the re-
bellion. His intelligence and bravery
quickly brought him to the front and
we'll merited promotion followed. His
most conspicuous work was in the cav
airy branch of the service. Before he
was % years old he was in command
of a regiment. He was wounded at
Nashville, Tenn, but remained in the
army. and his regiment was the last
cavalry command of the volunteers to
be mustered out AT the close of the
war he took up the practice of his pro-
fession, and for some time was asso-
ciated with the late President Chester
A. Arthur's law firm in New York.
Returning to Pennsylvania. he founded
a law partnership with his brother,
the late Justice Howard Reeder. of
the superior court of Pennsylvania.
For a number of years he was brig
adler general in the Pennsylvania Ma
tional Guard, and was honored by his
comrades of the war of the rebellion by
election to the Pennsylvania depart
ment commandership of the Grand
Army of the Republic. General Reeder
succeeded Lieutenant Governor Watres
in the craftsmanship of the Republi-
can state committee and filled the Of
flee with exceptional ability. He is
gentleman of refined tastes, always
courteous and affable. and his leader
ship has commanded the respect even
of his opponents.
General Reeder. who is here this
week with his comrades of Lafayette
Post G. A. R.. of Easton. Pa. marched