Evening star., 1900-10-05
Republicans in Third Pennsylvania
District Making Fight.
An old POLITICAL DEAL OFF
Danger of a Democratic Majority
in the House.
CAUSE THE RUPTURE
Special From a Staff Correspondent.

PHILADELPHIA, October 6.-Since the
days of Samuel ]. Randall, the great pro-
tecionist democrat, the third congressional
district Of Pennsylvania, comprising certain
city wards In Philadelphia. has been repre-
sented In the lower branch Of Congress by
democrat; this in spite Of the fact, 1t is
claimed, that there are more republican
votes in the district than democratic, as
shown by the returns of elections for other
offices.
The third district has therefore held a pc
culiar position. Inherently republican, 1t is
alleged, it has invariably sent a democrat
to Congress.
In the times of Mr.. Randall, 1t is ex-
planned, the district was permitted to re-
turn a democrat because Philadelphia felt
that it needed Mr.. Randall in Congress for
its own sake, especially when he became
Speaker Thus the precedent was estab-
lished.
Since Mr.. Randalrs death the district has
remained ostensibly democratic for another
reason. In Philadelphia If you can get
some one who knows to talk plainly he will
tell you 1t was because the district was
used to trade with" Explaining further
the informant will say that the congress
sfonal election In this district was a matter
of bargain between the campaign managers
of the two parties, certain advantages in
city and state tickets cffsetting the con-
gressional ticket. 1t would probably be
neither wholesome nor profitable to go into
details. If details were available. The po-
litical machine of the ancient city of Father
Penn is fearfully and wonderfully made
McAleer Elected Four Times.
At any rate, Mr.. William McAleer, DEM
ocrat, has been elected to Congress four
times from this district. He was elected
to the tifty-siXth Congress- according to the
congressional directory. unanimously sup
cd hy ha
parties, receiving 1921 votes to $40 for
E, NJ. Marsh, prohibtionist."
That sentence, unanimously supported by
the republican and democratic parties" tells
the tale of what may be called the "har-
moniouS elatiOns' existing between the re-
publican and democratic managers of the
Philadelphia city county, state and con-
gressiOnal campaign.
But this year there Is a fly in the oint-
ment. Discord reigns where harmony sat
supreme for years. The republicans are
claiming their own. The long and short of
it Is that the republicans need the vote of
this district to organize the next House and
are after it. They claim they will get 1t.
AT the beginning of this congressional
campaign the republican managers, in cast
Ing up an account of their resources, came
to the conclusion that they could not af-
ford to lose a single trick In the game Of
politics this year. The majority in the
House was small. almost certain losses
could be foreseen in some districts and the
To turn out democrat and install a repub-
lican meant a difference of two in the pres
ent complexion of the House. So 1t was
decided that Mr.. McAleer must go, If pos
sbe.
This decision, when communicated to the
Philadelphia brethren, raised a commot1on.
1t interfered with certain little dickers and
trades contemplated in the city. They pro-
tested loudly, but to avail The national
managers had to have that seat. Argu-
ments were adduced of character to con-
vince the local managers and finally, with
sigh, they yielded.
Republicans Nominate Burke.
So the republicans got together and nomi-
mated candidate for Congress. Since the
old Harmonious relations" were to be dis
turbed and as long as the trick had to be
turned they proceeded to do the thing up
brown. They picked out a man whom they
thought could win, Mr.. H. F. Burke. de-
scribed as a very estimabe gentleman.
They say in Philadelphia that he has all
kinds of money" That may be a small
matter in some places, but Is not to be over
looked in Philadelphia.
The democrats were very wrathful over
this action. They could see no reason for
disturbing the harmonious relations. Mr.
McAleer had been competent and faithful
representative, and they saw no reason to
displace him. Mr. McAleer himself was
very much hurt He was on the most cor
dial terms with the republican leaders,
many Of whom were his personal friends
and had supported him year after year.
When he protested the case was put to
him plainly. Would he vote to organize a
republican House and appoint republican
committees2 No; well, then, as the out
come of the congressional elections was SO
close he would have to expect his republi-
can friends to support a candidate who
would stand by their party.
The campaign Is well under way. The
democrats have not given UP, but are MAX
ing a strong fight. 1t is somewhat difficult
for them to estimate the result on account
of the exceedingly mixed conditions which
have prevailed, respecting the vote Of the
district, growing out Of the trades and dick
ers Of the past.
Republicans Are Confident.
The republicans profess to have ascertain
ed that they carry the district. They
are going ahead confidently, and 1t is
claimed already see their way clear to a
substantial victory. The republicans have
entered into the campaign with great spirit,
smashing all the old arrangements and
making war to the knife upon their for
mer allies In the district.
Whatever the outcome, no better proof Is
needed Of the desperate closeness of the
general congressional contest than this over
turning of time-honored custom in the
third Pennsylvania district. This is the
first of a number of Pennsylvania congress
sional districts which the republicans have
set out to capture-if they can. N. .. NJ.