Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-08-09
Emery and Sibley in VenangO Co.

(B. H. Butler in Pittsburg Times J
Venango county is the home Of Joseph
G. Sibley, the Republican nominee for
Congress. Venango is safely Republl-
can under ordinary circumstances. In
1896 the vote was 5,110 for Mckinley,
and 4, 1872 for Bryan. Here is a majority
of nearly ,000 In the campaign of 1897
when DR. Swallow demoralized figures,
Venango still maintained almost that
plurality Iu 1898, with Swallow again
in the field, the plurality had been re-
versed, showing 500 in favor of jerks,
the Democrat. This was the year that
Stone and Sibley had their famous
battle, and the figures are not Indicative
of the real political alignment By 1899,
with the conditions restored again, the
Republican candidate for Supreme judge
had plurality of 915 over his opponent,
All of which would indicate that Ven
ango county is Republican by about l.
900 plurality when nothing intervenes to
draw the attention of the voter from
pure party issues. Two years ago Mr..
Sibley developed remarkable personal
popularity. 1t was so great as to over
come the natural Republican majority,
and to substitute in its stead plurality
over Stone of 1850 votes. Some of this
changing of votes is accounted for by the
disfavor into which Mr.. Stone fell by
the post office appointments in the
county.
But Stone is not candidate now, and
all feeling that he might excite is eli
minated All of the change of votes
cannot be attributed to Mr. SibleY's pop
ularity Yet great deal of it must.
Whatever of personal popularity he
has will be in his favor to
increase his vote beyond the normal
figure. If he can go into the canvass
with the Republican vote firmly in hand
it is not out of the bounds of reason to
expect for him in his home county a
plurality of 1900 over his opponent.
This is what p. G. Bovle, of the Der
rick, thinks Mr. Sibley has a right TO
look for in Venango county. The argu-
ment is that Mr. Sibley is prominent
business man of Franklin, employing a
large force of workmen, identified with
the interests of the cummunity, and a
man of many friends among hisacquaint-
anceS.
But it is evident that Mr. Sibley is to
find opposition among the Republicans.
There is decided feeling for Emery in
the county, both because the Republi
cans are not entirely willing for new
convert to rise up so boldly in the meet
ing, and also because this is another
county where the independent oil man
is numerous.
Frederic w Hays is a prominent Re
publican of the county. He says he has
always been one of the extreme stall
warts He represented his county twice
in the Legislature, and for 10 years was
city solicitor. Mr., Hays said: Il am
opposed to Mr.. Sibley because think he
has no honest political principles, and l
am not alone in my way of thinking.
Information from all parts of the county
show serious detection from Sibley,
and the men who talk to me are the
men who weigh their words, the un-
purchasaple and the steadfast element
of the party. My authority is reliable
and competent. This authority, locat
ed here and there over the county tells
me that half the Republican committee
men of the county are for Emery. Part
of them may be brought back, but | am
satisfied that most of them will stick.
The Democrats assure me they are solid
for Emery Emery is well known here,
and the independent oil men are solid
for him. The oil men are Republicans
as a rule. Bear in mind that except tie
reineries at Franklin all those in the
county that are running are indepen-
dent ones That gives some idea of the
magnitude of the independent interests.
Mr.. Emery is Republican, and being
indorsed by the Democrats does not
ALLEVIATE any good Republican who is
ac.uated by legitimate party interests.
Then we do not forgive Mr.. Sibley for
his efforts at Harrisburg to help Quay in
the senatorial fight. We have strong
anti-Quay sentiment in the county, so
strong that John p. Emery, anti-Quay,
is nominated for the Legislature. He
will probably vote for Sibley, as recog-
nizing him as the regular nominee. and
to avoid party complications. But it
shows to what extent the sentiment
exists
1T is almost a repetition of the cam
paign of two years ago Sibley was
brought out then to defeat c. w. Stone,
because Stone had not satisfied faction
in the county with his p0stoffice appoint
ments. Sibley was expected. when elect
ed, to oppose the confirmation of w. NJ.
Mckim, as postmaster in Oil City, in
hopes that Richard Longwell, the candi-
date of the other crowd, might be bene-
fitted Sibley did not oppose it, and
hChlIl WIS NOlllll anu We ilCNO OI httNA
better postmaster, but it made Long
Wells friends angry. But Stone is out.
/ never saw such revolt against the
nominee in the % years | have been in
politics in the county. Republican
committeeman in many precincts tell
me Sibley will have small vote and
they know what they are talking abont.
"Sibley's strength two years ago was
largely in that hurrah that carries
things with novelty The novelty is
worn of now, and he is in just such n
place as Stone was then, the knives are
out for him. Remember that two years
ago, the stalwart Republicans were Wig
orously opposed to Mr.. Sibley, and they
got licked They have not forgotten the
licking, and do not imagine they are
coming in to support the man who gave
it. 1t is the straight-outs who are mad,
not the chronic sore-heads.
Speaking about money in the cam
paign, p c. Boyle, who gave Mr. Emery
document which carries with it a |
penalty of s., 600 if the Derrick" be
comes abusive in any way at any time,