The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-02-28
Ispecial Correspondence.l

the Field and Leave Regulars in
Absolute and Undisputed Control.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, Feb. 27.--Republicans OF
four counties, through their respective
organizations, last week went on rec
ord as standing by the stalwart leader
ship of the Republican party in this
commonwealth. AS this action is the
first taken in the contes. for the con-
troll of the next legislature, which will
be called upon to elect a successor to
Colonel Quay in the United States SEN
ate, the outcome must be regarded as
especially important at this time.
The most pronounced stalwart vic
tory and one which has far reaching
significance was that won in Jefferson
county, where clean cut contest was
decided by popular vote. 1t was not
merely a half hearted support of the
present Republican leadership nor a
perfunctory Endorsement of Colonel
Quay, but full positive and emphatic
declaration from the Republicans of the
county that they are in favor of major
ity rule and have no sympathy with the
insurgeut movement.
Jefferson and Indiana counties COM
pose a state senatorial district. They
do not elect delegates to a convention
but they vote directly for the candidate,
and the candidate for state senator Sc
curing the majority of votes in the
two counties wins the nomination. JEFF
ferson on Tuesday last led off, and had
the honor of being the first county in
Pennsylvania to pass upon the United
States senatorship. So important was
this fight TO be that William Finn, the
Pittsburg boss and contractor, invaded
the county with his agents, and did his
utmost TO carry the election
Jefferson county has had the sena-
tor for eight years. Under the rota-
tion system the Office now goes to In
diana county. John S. Fisher was
named by the stalwart Republicans as
their candidate. The insurgents and
boilers named DR.. Morrow, and both
names were submitted to the voters of
Jefferson county. Money was sent into
the county in large amounts. The same
kind of political management that is
used in Pittsburg to keep Finn in
power and in contracts was used in
Jefferson. The result was a most pro-
nounced victory for the stalwarts. Not
only did they choose Mr.. Fisher as
their candidate for state senator, but
they named their choice for congress,
and elected their delegates to the state
convention.
Nothing could he fairer than the
system in use in Jefferson county. All
Republican voters are called upon to
go to the polls and make their direct
choice between candidates. 1t is SIM
ply a question of majority rule, and the
majority in Jefferson county has been
cast overwhelmingly for Senator Quay
There is no use in mincing words about
the matter. The fight was between
Quay and his opponents, his opponents
have simply been slaughtered, and Mr.
Finn has been sent back to Pittsburg
defeated in the very first engagement
of the legislative campaign.
The maiorities for the out and out
Quay supporters were in many cases
larger than the total vote polled for
their insurgent opponents. The i'm
portance of this victory for the stall
wart Republican element is emphasized
by the fact that it was announced after
the last insurgent conference in Phila-
delphia that Finn had undertaken the
contract tn manage the anti-0uay cam
paign in seven counties-Jefferson In
diana Mercer Armstrong, Lawrence,
Butler and Beaver-and great claims
were made as to what Finn was going
to do.
THE ISSUE PLAINLY PUT.
That there could he no mistake as to
the issue raised bv the Finn campaign
ers. they sent to every Republican
voter in the county circular letter
through the mails, which was headed
"Repubicanism versus Quayism." It
was an appeal direct to the people. and
the people Pave their answer on Tues
day last at the polls. Fisher won by a
majority Of over $500 over Morrow.
This was The principal issue involved
as the state senator to be elected next
November will not only have an oppor-
tunity to vote to elect Colonel Quay's
successor, but also for the successor to
Senator Penrose. w. o. Smith, Quay
leader of the county, defeated AIeXan-
der Fruit for congress by 1900 maiori-
ty, and the national delegate and all
the delegates to the state convention
are supporters of Colonel Quay. and
they were elected hv majorities rang
ing from 1000 to 1000.
AS Jefferson county is in the sena-
torial district in which Attorney Cen
eral John P. Elkin resides. this distin-
OIIiChn1 nf
congratulated by local Republican
leaders who called upon him here upon
learning the news from Jefferson
county.
ROUT OF PARTY WRECKERS.
Editor a. r. Moorehead, of the Indi-
ana PROGRESS, in discussing Mr.. Fish
er's victory for senator in jefferson.
said:
The Finn forces were routed horse,
foot and dragon. They marched up
the hill with tom toms loudly beating
and banners proudly flying. but they
retreated down the hill with such IN
due haste and in such disorder that the
provision train and supply WAGONS were
lost in the Big Sandy. The general
fssimo of the Finn campaign mana
gers, owing to the fatigue incident to
the forced marches up che kops and
kopjes OF that county now lies hors du
combat 1t was a memorable contest
and will live long in the political his
tory of our neighbor county. It is the
opening gun of the campaign in the
state. 1t is the first county to be in
vaded by the Finn outfit. It was the
flrst primary to test the strength be-
tween straightout Republicans. who
believe in majority rule, and the polit-
ical INSURGENTS who are sttemptinp ia
break mp the Republican party. Fisher