The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1899-06-21
RULED THE ROOST
Pennsylvania Democrats Put a
Free Silver Ticket on a
Free Silver Platform.
GOLD MEN BOLT THE CONVENTION.
Proposed Campaign With the Repub-
lican Insurgents on state Issues
Goes to Smash In Bryan Landslide.

1OeS W NilstSh Ah ~ AZ WI
Especial CorrespondenceO
Harrisburg, June 20.-All the plans
of the Republican insurgents and the
Guffey Democrats to run the Demo-
cratic campaign this fall on state is
sues went to smash in the Democratic
state convention which met here last
week. The stalwart workers of the
minority party refused to allow their
state organization to be made a tail
to the Wanamaker kite. They asserted
their independence in bold and true
bourbon Democratic style. They de-
manded that Bryan be recognized as
the Democratic national leader, and
despite the pleadings of the insurgent
allies, they placed in the first plank
of the platform upon which they will
run the campaign unqualified and
emphatic Endorsement of William Jen-
nings Bryan, whom they then an
there designated as "our matchless
leader" There can be no question Of
the fact that the silver knight of Ne
hraska still has the hearts of the
working force of the organization of
Pennsylvania Democracy. Not only
does he figure conspicuously in the
platform, but there was scarcely
speaker who addressed the conven-
ton who did not use his name to con-
jure with in seeking applause or votes
for candidate for honors from the
convention One year ago Guffey want
ed to elect jerks governor, and count
ed upon Republican insurgent helu
He even kept out Bryan's name This
week he was obliged to yield to che
party workers, and once more Bryan
appears as the favorite of the Demo-
Gratis of the Keystone state.
SILVER TICKET ON A SILVER
PLATFORM.
Not only did the convention adopt
Bryan platform, but it put full
Bryan ticket in the field to run upon
1t. No one who was suspected of dis
loyalty to the silver ticket Of the last
presidential campaign had the ghost
of show to get nomination from
this convention. There was a straight
out fight made upon the money issue.
Were it not for this fact Judge Yerkes,
of Bucks, would have received the
nomination for the supreme bench.
Guffey wanted him on the ticket to
keep the gold Democrats in line for his
nominee for state treasurer He had
to yield to the Bryanites on the plat
form, but he hoped to be able to play
the Palmer and Buckner people with
gold bug running for the supreme
bench. But the boys would not have
it. They proposed to rule the roost,
and they ruled it their way. Again
Guffey had to come down off his perch
and the Bryan shouters have what thsy
wanted. Judge Mestrezat, of Fayette,
who aspired to the supreme bench,
made his canvass for the nomination
upon the broad principle that Il am
q Democrat" very much after the
David 3. Hill style of campaigning.
His literature distributed to the dele
gates described him as "a Democrat
possessing the Jeifersonian requisites
of ability, honesty and faithfulness 10
the constitution" and as coming from
a long line of Democratic ancestors,
and is in his political faith to the man
or born" He was also described as an
ardent supporter of Democratic candi-
dates, local. state and national, at all
times. This is what suited the silver
men, and with great hurrah they
nominated Judge Mestrezat for the
supreme court on the twenty-eighth
ballot
ANOTHER BRYANITE HONORED.
Following up this victory, the silver
men nominated Charles j. Reilly, of
Williamsport, for the superior court.
He is one of the best known Bryan
supporters in Pennsylvania. He was
permanent chairman of the conven-
ton, and in opening the proceedings
he made regulation stalwart speech
of the Jacksonian brand. He spoke
of "the great party that gave us a
| Jefferson, a Jackson, a Hancock, a
Tilden and a Schley." There was a
mild display of enthusiasm over the
mention of the last name, but when In
the next breath he added, "It gave to
us the moral, the intellectual, the
great, the superb and matchless leader
William Jennings Bryan" there was
tremendous demonstration. The
cheering lasted fully one minute and
was repeated twice, the volunteer col
onel throwing the hero of Santiago
completely in the shade.
So much for the judicial nomina-
tioDs.
OF course, William T. Greasy, of Co
lumbia, Guffey's slated candidate, was
nominated for state treasurer. Greasy
stood by the Bryanites in the presi-
Dental campaign, and they could not
well object to his nomination. He is
not popular, however, with the stall
wart Democrats, in view of his course
in the last legislature in opposing leg
islation for which the Democratic party
fought for many years. On account
| of his associations with the Van Val
kenburg outfit, Creasy's Democracy has
frequently been questioned. He will
be bitterly opposed for election by or
ganized labor throughout the state.
SOUND MONEY MEN BOLT.
There have been many protests from
the sound money Democrats against
the Guffey leadership in permitting tht
state convention to be dominated "
the silverites. Many of them declare
they will not vote the ticket this fall
They say that for this Bryan ticket
to receive large vote in November
would I've notice to the world thai
DeWitt's Little Early Risers act as