The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-03-14
So. Correspondeneel


been a great change in sentiments and
that the Republicans Of Lebanon do
not propose 10 indorse the action OF
men who. while elected as Repub-
licans. refuse to abide by the rules and
traditions of their party. They reeog-
nize that a caucus is a prime necessity
of any political organization The
American republic is founded upon the
principle of majority rule. With this
principle ignored all would be diseord
and anarchy.
IN NATIONAL POLITICS
To preserve the integrity Of the Re
publican organization Of the United
States and to sustain the Mckinley ad-
ministration Il was necessary to call
a caucus OF the Republican members OF
the house Of representatives at Wash
ington last week, when the Puerto
Rican bill was under consideration.
II was believed to be absolutely neces-
sary. if the policies Of the Republican
marty were to be carried out, to have
the Republicans of the house vote as
unit. There was a difference Of opin-
ion. even between the president and
the ways and means committee, as to
the hest metncd Of treatment Of the
question Of tariff for Puerto Rico.
There was a very serious division in
the house and enough Republicans
we're ready to join with the Democrats
to defeat the very ends which the Nc
Kinley administration sought TO OBJ
tain. Under these circumstances a
Republican caucus was called. and a
conclusion was reached by which
every Republican in the house voted in
accordance with the action OF the
caucus. This was not an unusual ac-
ton. but a time honored practice.
When General Henderson was pro-
posed for the present speakership Of
the house of representatives at Wash
iLgton. there was a big field of as
pirants for that honor. But when he
secured a majority of the Republican
caucus all the other candidates grace
fully abided by the action OF the ma
jority and he was elected without
trouble. Had the friends Of the rival
candidates for the speakership followed
the example Of the Flinn-Martin in
rurgents in Pennsylvania politics they
would have bolted the Republican
raucus and Joined forces with the Bry-
ante Democrats. Then If they could
not get one OF their own number in the
speakership they would have elected a
Democrat to that important place.
Caueuses in congress and every
ether legislative body in the United
States are considered essential, and
they are invariably called in the in
terest of either the Republican OF
Democratic party. as the case may be.
The caucus is a recognized institu-
tion in American politics and men
who take pride in the success of a po-
litical organization to which they be-
long viii always advocate the holding
OF the caucus to preserve the integrity
sud advance the inteTssts Of such or
ganization. II personal interests and
not the welfare Of a party OF organiza-
ton are considered they will, of course,
take a different view OF the case.
Paid agents of the Flinn-Martin in
surgents and boilers are travelling
around Pennsylvania with the inten-
tion of breaking up this time honored
custom and sowing discord in the Re-
publican ranks.
When men are to be placed in Office
ia the various counties of the common.
wealth primary elections are held A
primary election is really a caucus
Voters choose either delegates to 3
convention. or. in some counties, di.
rectly between candidates. When these
candidates once have been nominated
they become the candidates of the en-
tire party. There is no other way OF
selecting them. and when party voters
refuse to be governed by the will OF
the majority they become bolters. II
IS Just as necessary for party caucuses
to be held at Harrisburg when a Uni
ted States senator is to be elected as
II is for counties to hold primaries OF
for congressman to caucus over tbs
selection of a speaker. In the last
legislative session a regular caucus oi
Republican members was called. and
Senator Quay was made the nominee
In no other way could the wishes OF
the majority have been discovered
Certain snenies Of Quay refused 10
consent - ma ;ority rule. and formed
boiling party OF their own. The re-
suit was chaos. II is now proposed BY
the insurgents tc Get up candidates in
various districts Who. while pretending
to be Republicans, will refuse to unite
with the Republican majority unless
that majority should happen to go their
way.
Such methods do not commend
themselves to honest men. II a candi-
d3te takes a party nomination ii is
his duty to sink his individual prefer
ence and abide by the majority deci-
sion II II were not for the caucus 20
different Republican candidates might
be named for senator. and in such a
state Of Affairs II might well be that
the Democrats would elect their candi=
date to Office. rs a matter Of fact, II
is very well known that the Democrats
viii have candidate for senator in the
next legislature. Colonel James NJ. Guf-
fey. and they viii act together, and il
Is also very well known that the insur-
gents. when they cannot elect men OF
their own way of thinking to the leg
islature viii undertake to elect Demo-
cratic members. The insurgent move
meat today is a Democratic movement.
Republicans of Pennsylvania must
know that IL they lend their aid 10 the
nomination Of candidates who Will not
agree 10 act with the majority OF the
Republican party that they viii be CIV
ing their support directly to a Demo-
ocTat already picked out. All Republi-
cans have right, as have all Demo-
Gratis. to their own individual opinion
and preferences. but when their party
has taken stand through a conference
known as caucus their duty Is to obey
the voice OF the majority. A member
who sets his own opinion above the
opinion of the majority of his party
associates after fair and square vote
has made the majority will manifest
becomes mere party wrecker.
WHERE M'KINLEY LEADS.
The Republican caucus in Washing
ton fixed upon the terms Of the Puerto
Rican bill anS President Mckinley,
good Republican that he is, refrained
from pressing his own personal views.
and gave all his influence to the adop-
ton Of the caucus measure. Where
President Mckinley leads no genuine
Republican in Pennsylvania need fear
10 follow. President Mckinley be-
lieves in the caucus. for it is the only
way by which a great political party
can act unitedly and successfully. Men
In PennsTlyania claiming IN ha peo.rh