Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-11-30
The Battle of the Independents.

The Independent Republicans of
Pennsylvania have recently held numer-
Gus conferences to organize for the great
battle of next year against Quay. They
lack nothing in earnestncss of purpose or
in willingness to make tireless and even
desperate effort to win for their cause,
and there are ample elements in the
State to give them victory if they can
be combined and made to work harmoni-
ously to a common end.
Before starting in the new campaign
it would be we'll carefully to consider the
errors Of the past. The last Legislature
could have been organized by the Inde-
pendents if they had been sufficiently
wise and courageous to invite the cooper
alton of the Democrats to make an Inde-
pendent Republican Speaker, divide the
Offices Of the body with the Democrats
and control the committees of the body.
The Independents We're then upon the
verge Of revolt; knew that it was jrevita-
bic, and yet permitted themselves to lose
control &C the House that made them
powcrle.3 in legislation, and lost them the
unity Of action with the Democrats that
would have been more than possible had
tie opposition clements started out to-
gether and won some substantial results
in the first skirmish.
The Independent opposition to Quay
can accomplish little unless the Demo
Gratis shall get into better condition for
practical cooperation than they have ex-
hibitcd during the last two years. One
third of the Democratic members Of the
present Le9islutm owed their sue
cess to the fearless and aggressive
campaign made by Wanamaker in oppo-
sition to the nomination Of Governor Stone
and to the mastery Of Quay but when
| the Democrats had le chance to elect an
Independent Senate. whose reform views
were professed by | decided moiority Of
the whole Legisla re, they made them
/ selves uniclt in IT,. contest and accom-
plished nothing. Unless there shall be
better Democratic conditions in the COM
inc battle the Independents will Lave
/ little inspiration to elect Democratic legis-
lators, either by directly voting for them
or supporting Independent tickets where
[ by Democrats may succeed. If Quay
cannot be elected by the next Legislature
! he woulA prefcra deadlock. If admitted
to the Senate, as seems more than possible,
another deadlock would give him practi-
I cally four sessions in the Senate by ap-
! pointment.
If a majority of the people Of the State
desires Quay reelection he should re-
ceive it, and none could then reasonably
complain Of his triumph. Ifthe majority
of the people are not in favor Of him
succeeding himself in the Senate he
should not be elected, and that issue will
come directly before the people in the
coming contest. \ large majority OF the
Republicans will follow Quay. On that
point there can be no reason to doubt.
They follow the organization and Quay is
the organization, and if the Independents
and the Democrats run separate side
shows against him, the chances will be
largely in favor Of his winning a re elec-
ton from the next Legislature.
These are the facts which leaders all
around should look in the face and meet
with the wisdom and courage which are
necessary in any great political move
ment. 1t will be fight to finish, and
there is now every indication that it will
be one OF unexamplod bitterness, result
ing in victor and vanquished in the full
est measure that the terms appy.-Phila-
delphia Times.