Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-10-28
INDEPENDENCE IN POLITICS.


DAVIS DEMOCRAT with Mr.. Paul E.
Werner. Akron's prominent manu-
facturer and Republican, created
something of a surprise in local
political circles yesterday-just as it
is destined to create a surprise in
the political circles of the whole
state.
Mr.. Werner stands today as rep
resentative of that type of independ-
ent American citizens, rapidly in
creasing in numbers and influence.
who are going to be the controlling
factor in the politics of the future.
The people are coming 10 see. as
was so well said by Mr.. Werner, that
while all parties represent some
commendable principles, yet only in
the use of one party against the
other can the evils of partisan poll
tics be corrected and the schemes of
self-seeking politicians be thwarted.
II supported Mr.. Mckinley" said
Mr.. Werner, land did all in my
power to bring about his election.
Every voter in Summit county
who knows anything of local politi-
cal affairs knows that had it not
been for the organized forces which
Mr.. Werner brought to the assist
apce of the Republican party in 1898
in which he contributed largely of
his means and gave literally of his
own time and effort; organizing the
business interests of Summit county
as they had never been organized
before,-Mai. McKinley's ticket in
Summit county would have met with
overwhelming defeat.
In what manner has Mr.. Werner
been repaid for his splendid services
in behalf of the Republican party in
that memorable campaign? When
it lis recalled how the hlmiliating
ingratitude of the arrogant boss who
controls the Republican party was
so gratuitously evidenced toward
Mr.. Werner in matter in which he
had no direct personal interest; how
within the last year the great indus
trial enterprise of which he is the
head, employing hundreds of work
ing men and working women, has
been made the subject of relentless
persecution by fee-grabbing officials
constituting part of the local
Hanna Machine, who would not have
hesitated at driving this magnificent
industry from Akron to line thei1
pockets with large fees,-it is not
surprising that Mr.. Werner has an
nounced his determination for the
future to be independent in politics
neither Republican nor Democrat
but an American citizen, having the
best interests of his country and his
city at heart.
But the foregoing are by no meanf
the only causes that have impelleG
Mr.. Werner to hold himself aloof
for the time, from the Republican
party. As citizen who know
something of the hardships entailed
upon people burdened with tht
curse of militarism, he cannot regard
with complacence the presen
Administrations inevitable drift
toward Imperialism and the danger
of foreign conquest.
"If l were in favor of Imperial
ism," says he, Il would want tn,
genuine article-a real, true En-
peror, and not political boss"
The DEMOCRAT might prolonI
comment Indefinitely upon Mr.. Wer
ner's interview. but to what purpose
1t carries its own best lesson. Hun
dreds of Summit county's Republi
cans who hitherto have given ener
getic and unquestioning support t
their party's nominees will dOubtles
be encouraged by Mr.. Werner
example to greater degree of inde
pendence in their political opinion
and alliances.
WORKING MEN who have bee
saving their money for half lii
time, hoping to accumulate enoug
to build themselves a home, fin
that after all their years of econom
they are no better off now than the
were when their savings amounte
to just half of what they are toda.