The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-04-15
Gtnrntltp 9Jrrnlh.
SATURDAY. APRIL 15. 1899.
DUTY of the Hour.

Duty of the Hour.
With to-day's vote members of the
Pennsylvania Legislature have made
seventy-six fruitless efforts to elect a
successor to United States Senator NJ.
s. Quay. There remain but three
more days in which that duty can be
performed Outside of all factional
preferences, there is well defined |
demand on the part of the people of
the state, and especially among the |
Republican voters, that the legislature
elect Senator before adjournment |
That duty is imperative.
So far as our personal choice is
concerned, that has been well defined.
The HERALD has steadfastly affiliated
with the regular Republican organi-
zatioD, and will continue to advocate
their cause so long as the leaders of
that faction of the party merit sue
cess. We believe that Senator Quay,
whose valuable services for his party
and state in the United States Senate
and in the political arena are matters
of history, is justly entitled to re-
election, and we feel confident that
should the legislature fail to elect
and the question referred to the
people, that the Beaver statesman
would score triumphant victory.
NJ therein is the great danger to
hepuoIcahisIn' "tieh we must CON
front il the senatorial contest 10 not
settled by the present legislature. 1t
would mean bitter warfare in every
county for the next two campaigns
between the contending factions sac
rificing the candidates for county
Offices in order to elect members of
the legislature favorable to their re-
spective causes; continuing the feud
that now threatens the disruption of
the party, and the danger of placing
the legislature in the control of the
Democrats. This state of affairs, we
believe, every honest Republican
hopes to obviate.
True, neither Senator Quay nor his
friends are responsible for the danger
threatening the party. He was the
choice of the great majority of the
Republican members of the legisla-
ture, and was duly selected as the
caucus nominee. We are firm be-
levers in the principle of the right
of the majority to rule. The Gin
surgents," in bolting the regular
party caucus or failing to participate
therein, have placed themselves be-
yond party regularity and are solely
responsible for whatever odium that
their actions brings upon them.
The anti-eaucus Republicans, how
ever, appear to have repented and
practically acknowledge their error,
and have requested a conference be-
tween both Republican factions, with
view of adjusting differences and
electing United States Senator. 1t
has been demonstrated that Senator
Quay cannot be reelected at the pres
snt session, and it is also plain that no
one else can succeed him. Quay and
his friends hold the key to the situa-
tion, and if the party caucus is recon-
vened as result OF the conference,
he can dictate his successor. This
being true, his loyal friends through
out the state, who place party above
individuals, look to him for concil-
iating move in the direction of com
promise candidate, thus saving the
party from the threatening bitter
faetional fight
There are thousands OF Republican
voters throughout the state who care
nothing for faetional success, but
who realize the danger threatening
the party and who are convinced that
the party leaders have been Indifferent
TO their duty. In close counties like
Schuylkill, where party unity is so
necessary to success, this demand is
made in no uncertain tones. A house
divided against itself cannot stand II
this factional warfare is to be con
tinued, it is not difficult to predict the
result in this county next fall, and the
year following, and perhaps for sew
eral years.
1t is to be hoped that ere the pres
ent Legislature adjourns the Republi-
can factions will so far adjust their
differences as to enable them to elect
a United States Senator.
So far as the Republicans are con-
cerned, it is the duty Of the hour.