The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-09-14
Special Correspondence

Films Vigorous Kick.
Especial Correspondence
Philadelphia, Sept. 13.--There is more
real downright interest taken in an
ordinary hog KILN in the country
than was displayed by the Republicans
in Boss Quay's late ratification meet
In, as Bill Connell, the Lackawanna
king. who has strikes in his coal mines,
angrily termed the state convention
that met at the state capital.
The city and county machines, in
obedience to Quay's orders, had ground
out as grist the full quota of putty fig
,nes that go by the name of delegates.
The startling falling off in the alleged
vote returned for Colonel Stone for
governor in 1898, and upon which the
delegate representation was based, cut
the ratification meetin' in point of
delegates down to low water mark. 1t
was the leanest in the history of the
boss ridden party. Yet this was not
npleasing to Pasha Quay, since 1t
was easier to manipulate and less cost
~ TO get together. The insurgents in
only a county here and there, like
General Koontz in Somerset and Gen
eral Hastings in Centre, had seriously
disputed with the machine for the dele
gates.
In Philadelphia the insurgents hav-
ING lost the mayor, which is the key
to the control of that great centre of
population and election rascality, and
which had wounded their leader, Dave
Martin, in the wing, he was powerless
10 put up fight.
Ashbridge, the new Quay mayor, was
Instructed by his proprietor, Dave Lane
10 make kindling wood of every Martin
man bold enough to stand for delegate
outside of the few Martin Gibraltars
wherein the delegates were conceded to
the man upon whose forehead Quay
had tattooed the dollar mark. In the
districts where contests we're thus
made there was the devil to pay. The
hospitals were crowded with cracked
heads and victims of murderous as
saults, decent Republicans were afraid
TO approach the primary polls, which
were in possession of thugs and man
eaters, legal election officers were toss
ed out of the precinct houses, gangs OF
rspeaters were organized to roam from
Quay into Martin wards, and vote buy
ing and free liquor giving were shame
lessly carried on. Each side went the
limit to cheat and gouge. The party
Of God and morality thus beat any,
thing that Tammany Hall in the hey
dey of Tweed ever conceived or at
tempted.
In ~
His partner, Insurgent Chief Finn,
was rambling in Europe. Neither lost
IN hours good sleep over the delegates.
John Wanamaker. the real leader of the
anti-Quay mutiny, was travelling in the
land of the midnight sum-" and had
decreed that the fight against Quay
should not be made this year, but next
year. Pasha Quay thus had the white
light signal for clear and unobstruct-
ed road and a boss freedom to paint
the name of any candidate that suited
his interest best upon the ticket.
Still the slate was not made without
family friction. A number of political
Judges had the audacity to come for
ward with claims to soil the ermine os
the supreme court and were encourag-
ed in their ambitions by certain of
Quay's prentice boys, who, like the
Kentucky mule that. went crazy and
imagined himself race horse, thought
they were powerful enough to dictate
to the "old man"
But the old man had another fish for
the pan. There lived in Lancaster
lawyer of some eminence on the legal
staff of the Standard Oil company, as
of other corporations, who had long
enjoyed the confidence not only of
Quay, but of the house of Cameron.
His name was j. Hay Brown.
In 1895. after Mckinley had been
nominated at st. Louis. his political
promoter, Mark Hanna, beating the
state boss combination, which includ-
ed Quay and Platt, he was dickering
at Canton with these defeated bosses
for their aid in his election. Quay made
a Journey to the home of the presi-
Dental candidate.
Mckinley wanted Quay's experience
in carrying New York with Doodle,
while Quay wanted his share of the
pork If Mckinley should be elected
When one politician deals with another
in matter Of business there Is always
certain amount of distrust on either
side.
Therefore, 1t came to pass that Quay
took along with him to Canton a wit
less. j. Hay Brown was this witness.
and he was present when the bargain
was discussed between the candidate
and the boss and the terms agreed to-.
Quay wa to take department at
The national committees headquarters
md try and repeat his success in buy
ing votes in New York, as he had done
ior Harrison. the pious, and was to
1--WE the Mckinley administration a
.oyal support in the senate.
Mckinley on his part obligated HIM
elf to pitchfork the federal patronage
of Pennsylvania over to Quay Had not
!. Hay Brown been long underwritten
or elevation to the supreme bench he
1ould have appeared as one OF the
minent counsel for Quay's defense
When his enemies were trying in the
Philadelphia court to send him to the
'enitentiary for stock gambling with
he money of the state treasury. 1t
vas feared that If he had so appeared
hat people would have said that Quay
vas paying him his fee by putting him
IN the supreme court.