Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-12-31
another RENEGADE.
SENATOR WAsHBURN, OF CRAW-
FORD COUNTY, PENN
SYLVANIA,
ELECTED AS A P0PULIsT.
HAS GONE OVER BAG AND BAGGAGE
TO REPUBLICANS.
He Issues a Statement, in Which He
Seeks to Justify His Action-He
VIII Probably Turn Up ON the
Quay Side in the Coming Sena-
torial Fight.

HARRISBURG, Pa, December 3U.-
Senator Washburn, of Crawford coun-
ty, who was elected two years ago as
a Populist with Democratic and Prohi-
bition endorsement, issued a formal
statement tonight announcing that he
had allied himself with the Republican
party, and shall participate in it's oun
ellis and organization. Mr.. Washburl
voted with the Democracy at the last
session for George A. jerks for United
States Senator and took part in its
councils and voted for all party meas
ures. His statement follows:
81 was elected two years ago as a
Populist, receiving the support of the
Prohibitionists and a larger share of
the Democratic voters in my district.
Hoping to secure results along reform
lines, | co-operated with the Democrats
during the last session, but was disap-
pointed in the outcome. The Demo-
Gratis of the State have seemed to be
more intent upon partisan and person
al advantage than in a desire to coop
crate with all other forces to C
needed legislation. che example of the
National Democratic Convention in re-
fusing to indorse Towne because he
was not an old line Democrat, is an
illustration of the spirit which has
largely prevailed among Democratic
leaders in this commonwealth; nor
have the insurgent Republicans shown
any desire to cooperate with others
for any purpose except personal or par
tisan gain for themselves. The dis
pute into which regular Republican or
ganization was brought previous to
1898 was caused by the scandals and
corruption of which the members Of
the Pittsburg and Philadelphia politi-
cal rings were guilty. 1t was not Quay
as much as the INSCRIPTIONS work of
his followers in the two cities that
precipitated the factional fight in the
Republican party. Now the members
of these rings, who are the real cul-
prits the people ought to punish, have
raised a cry for reform and under
cover of opposition to Quay cunningly
seek to profit by the reaction against
their party that their own misdeeds
have brought about"
Since the last election | have con-
sidered most of the issues fought out
during that campaign as permanently
settled, and while l do not regret my
support of Mr.. Bryan under the cir
cumstances, l believe that the tremen-
dous popular majority given to the Re-
publican administration takes out of
the realm of practical consideration,
most of the problems then discussed.
Desiring to he a co-operator rather
than a fault-finder, recognizing, that
the Peoples Party in Pennsylvania is
extinct as a State organization, and
that the overwhelming majority of the
people of this commonwealth desire an
instant cessation of the factional strife
that has for years corrupted the poll
tics and prevented the proper admins
tration of the affairs of the State, l
shall henceforth ally myself with the
Republican party. IN this course l be-
lieve / shall be upheld my the major
ity of the people both in my district
and throughout the country. Neither
the Democratic organization, controll-
ed by the Standard Oil influence, nor
the insurgent organization, whose
leaders have been %unequalled in cor
ruption since the days of Tweed, at
tracts me and in the future, following
the example of United States Senators
Stewart and Kyle and of other equally
prominent leaders who have been &C
tive in their efforts for better govern
ment, l shall work for all those better
conditions in politics which sincere
Democrats and all good citizens desire,
and shall strive earnestly as a Republi-
can for high ideals within the party
and right settlement of the intricate
problems that confront the national
and State administrations.