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

and thought TO heal the wounds caused
by those who never did ana never will
MD the organization. Those who revolt
against party organization at this time
are sowing the seeds of disintegratioa
which will take growth on presidential
election day, as the voters will become
disgusted with this unseemly wranEle
among ourselves.
GREAT PRINCIPLE INVOLVED.
''The situation at Harrisburg is not u
contest between individuals. 1t is much
more than that. 1t involves party su-
premacy. 1t is 4 question of abiding by
majority sentiment legally expressed at
the polls or in party caucus.
For these and other reasons | believe
in supporting the candidacy of Hon. NJ.
y. Quay for reelection not alone because
Of friendly interest, but for the greater
reason that he is the regular nominee OF
my party. Ii seems to me that this should
be the guiding thought of every Repubii-
can.
'"The nomination and election of Mr..
Ashbridge should be an object lesson TO
active Republicans. not only in Philadel
phia, but throughout the entire state
His success must be regarded as trl-
umph of stawart Republicanism. No
matter what may he said Of him by his
political adversaries. no one has dared
TO charge Mr.. Ashbridge with disloyalty
to the Republican organization or indif-
ference to the fundamental principle o.
the Republican party, that the will OF
the majority shall prevail. Mr.. Ashbridge
has thousands of personal friends and
followers among the Republicans of Phil
q Of
appointed because he was not made the
nominee for mayor four years ago, whep
an active canvass was made in his be
half. When the convention nominated
another. Mr.. Ashhridgc. setting aside al
personal disappointment. promptly and
earnestly came TO the support OF the reg
ular nominee. and took the stump night
after night until the party was successfni
az the polls. Mr.. Ashbridgc'S subsequent
nomination and election to the mayoraity
may fairly he taken as n recognition by
the masses Of the Republican party of his
loyalty to the cause of Rcpublicanism IN
casting aside his personal ambitions and
manfully and cordially accepting the will
Of the majority as expressed in the noml-
nation of his successful opponent IN 1870
His action then made him thousands Of
friends and further endeared him to the
loyal Republicans of Philadelphia. and no
doubt largely influenced them to honor
him with the unanimous nomination for
mayor bestowed upon him by the he
publican convention. Had Mr.. Ashbridge
followed the course Of many defeated
candidate. and become disgruntled anu
disorganizing boltcr he would probably
have disappeared from public life, as
have many others who have pursued this
policy in the past"
CAUCUS SHOULD BIND.
All the regulars lit the Philadelphia
delegation to the legislature are elateo
over the declaration Of Mr.. Lane Sena
tor John NJ. Scott. OF this city. in reply
to IN inquiry as to the probable effect OF
the election of Mr.. Ashbridge on the sen
atorial situation. said:
THAT is question l am not in posi-
ton 10 answer. further than 10 express
the opinion that any triumph for regular
ity within the Republican lines must
necessarily have its influence upon those
who expect 10 act with the organization
of the Republican party and nope for the
success Of its principles and its cand!-
dates As view the situation at Harris
burg, there can he hut one result. if Re
time honored Republican precedents are
to be followed. Colonel Quay is the nomi-
nee of the Republican party of Pennsyi-
vania for United States senator. having
been made such in the regular way by
caucus comprising over two-thirds of the
Republican membership in the general
assembly Under these circumstances 1t
would appear that every Republican
member of the legislature who proposes
to continue 10 act with the Republican
organization. not only ut Harrisburg, bur
with his Republican neighbors at home,
should accept the action of this caucus as
binding upon him and agree to abide by
its choice. Stalwart Republicans who
have for years labored Zealousiy and dis
interestedly for the success of the party
are Mt loss to find any excuse that any
man nominated by Republican conven-
ton and. elected to the legislature
through the efforts of the Republican Or
ganization and by Republican votes can
present for failing to support Senator
Quay. the legally nominated candidate
of the Republican party. Neither
private grievances nor factional diff
ferences nor the opportunities OF
wealthy and ambitious men, who have
invariably subordinated party success to
their personal advancement. should be
permitted to deprive the Republican
party of the election of a United States
senator. to the prejudice not only of the
interests of the commonwealth. but of
the prestige Of the Republican party In
the state and in the nation.
Having demonstrated their inability
10 accomplish any results in the way Of
the election OF a United States senator
upon the lines marked out by them. l feel
persuaded that rather than permit an
Adjournment of the Legislature without
The election of q senator. those Republi-
cans who have not heretofore done so
will gracefully accept the situation and
east their votes FOR the Republican nomi-
nee. / am hoI"f,il that the patriotism and
party fealty Of those who have thus far
acted in accord with the decision Of the
Republican caucus will ultimately
prompt them 10 SO act that the party and
the state shall not be deprived OF full
representation in the United States SEN
ate during the noXt two years. which.
owing to the international complications.