The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-06-27

vania politics known as the Republican
insurgents are in desperate frame o
mind. The past two weeks have giveI
them several body blows. While theil
financial resources continue to be al
most unlimited, they are suffering from
lack of regular support, which is hav'
! ing its effect upon some of their prin'
cipal leaders. Martin and Finn are
| still at the head of the procession, and
the Wanamaker money bags are not
far behind them. The array of gen.
erals, all with personal interests to
serve and private ambitions to salts
fly, is still as great as ever, but there
is a marked absence of followers for
their leaders. Without followers they
cannot expect more than what they
have been getting-a large amount or
insurgent newspaper putting with lit
tie substantial results at the primary
elections. The spectacle which the in
surgents, with Finn at their head,
made OF themselves at the national
convention in Philadelphia has dis
gusted their former followers through
out the state. Coming so closely after
the PittSburg scandals, In which Finn
figured as a political headsman in re-
moving a competent and popular public
official from office who refused to do
his bidding this exhibition has pracH-
cally brought to realization of the
true situation many who were influ-
enced by the false arguments and mis-
representations of the insurgents.
hA
domination of Finn in Pittsburg con-
tinues TO be the subject of comment
among public spirited and representa-
tive citizens in the western section of
the state. There is every evidence
that there will be an organization of
business men. manufacturers and 9TH
ers, who have the welfare OF the Re-
publican party at heart, to overthrow
the machine which has enabled Finn
to assume the role of dictator of Pitts
burg politics and TO make thousands of
dollars every year through his con-
tracts with the municipality. The in
dependence of Mr. Bigelow, who, as di-
rector of public works of Pittsburg,
blocked many of the Finn schemes to
get contracts for municipal improve
mCnts, when ii was to the interests of
the taxpayers to reject Films bids, led
to his being made the subject of attack
of this so-called reformer. AS has fire.
quently been said, Finn is for reform
in every quarter Of the state excepting
in Allegheny county, where his control
of the machine has been the means of |
his amassing great fortune through |
the public contracting business.
Bigelow's removal from the Office |
of director of public works is charged |
against Finn. Bigelow intro |
duced many reforms, and the people |
looked upon him as their special cham |
pion in all great movements for the |
of the city and the pro-
lection of their interests. Now, since |
he has been ousted by Finn, they pro-
pose to rally around him, and the logi- |
cal result will be an organization
which will ultimately drive Finn from
control of the Republican organization |
and place him upon the level with all |
other bidders for public work.
The state press has taken up the
criticisms Of Finn in the Pittsburg
which are not controlled |
by the Finn ring, and everywhere his
actions in the Bigelow matter have
been roundly condemned. Finn was
given some idea of what the Republi-
cans of the state thought about his
caucus holting record during the ses-
sions of the legislature last winter,
when il was announced that he was
for chairman of the Repub-
lican state committee and he went on
the stump TO advocate Il nomination |
of anti-Quay members Of the legisla-
ture. II was the subject of universal
comment that wherever Finn made |
speeches the insurgents were bound to /
lose, and this fact was soon impressed |
upon Films coworkers in the insur-
gent cause, so that he was finally per-
suaded to retire from the stump.
While the Wanamaker money. David |
Martins revenge and the petty inter
ests of a small disgruntled element
constitute the substance of the insur-
gent movement. Finn still continues |
as its recognized leader Finn is busy
pulling the wires to further his scheme
for the nomination of candidates on the
Republican ticket who will bolt the
Republican caucus on the United States
senatorship at Harrisburg next winter
and act with the Democrats, as he and |
his associates did last year. Where he
cannot carry the Republican primaries
he is working for the fusion game with
Democratic National Committeeman
Guffey to prevent, If possible, the cleo
tion of regular Republican candidates
for the legislature who will go into the
caucus in the event of their election
and abide by the action of a majority
in tne selection Of a candidate for Uni