Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-01-31
Minority Party Tired of Having Th cir
OgsnixattOn Made Simply nm Annex
10 the Corrupt Rings of the Insur-
gent Republican POliticiaus.
Especial Correspondence,

gent Republican Politicians.
Especial Correspondence,
Philadelphia, Jan. 29.-James M.
of leading the Democracy of Pennsyl-
vania. is to be confronted with power
tni and vigorous opposition to a con-
tinuance of his leadership.
He is accused of subordinating the
interest of the Democracy to the per-
sonal and political schemes of the Finn
insurgent Republicans. 1t is charged
that there is no genuine Democracy in
the present leadership Of the party in
Pennsylvania and that Guffeys eff
forts have been solely directed to ad-
vance the interests of men with whom
he has personal, political and business
alliances.
Throughout the United States sena-
torial fight Guffey played into the
hands of the Republican insurgents,
and 1t is understood that he proposes
to continue this policy in advising
Democratic members of the Legislature
as to the course they should pursue on
matters of legislation.
FL1NN CONTROLS DEMOCRATS
F'linhas practically had control of the
Democratic organization and been the
real leader, for it has been under his
directions that the Democratic mem
hers Of the legislature have acted up to
date.
Since Guffey has been in control Of
the party management the Democratic
organization has gradually become a
one man affair The old time leaders,
men Of influence in their respective
counties, have been ignored. and few
worshipers at the shrine Of Guffey, men
with little ability and no standing to
speak of in state politics. have been
brought to the front as party leaders
Outside of Guffey and three or four un-
derlings, the names Of few Democrats
are heard of in connection with the
Democratic organization of the state.
A very significant move has been
made in this city within the last few
days in the direction of reviving the
Democracy Of Pennsylvania and put
ting it upon some kind of a solid basis
in preparation for the next presidential
election. Men who have not figured
in Democratic politics since Guffey was
elected to the Democratic national
committee from Pennsylvania propose
to take hand once more and do what
they can to give the party organization
some strength and character.
ences of few of his retainers are not
in accordance with the old fashioned
Democratic meetings when men of the
stamp Of Curtin, Randall. Buckalew
Wallace. Scott. Hensel, Black and Har-
rity figured in the councils of the party
Now the Guffey sessions are attended
by few small fry members of the
legislature. men of very ordinary tai
ents and limited capacity for leader
ship Of any kind. What Guffey says
goes, and what Finn says Guffey says
and that Is what the Democracy Of
Pennsylvania has come to under the
Guffey regime.
OLD TIME DEMOCRATS TO THE
FRONT.
Now tie first signs Of an awakening
% of the Democratic hosts are given in
q move made last week in this city.
when a hundred men, formerly active
in Democratic politics. men Of wealth.
influence and standing in the commu-
nifty. signed call for Democrskc
gathering at q big dinner to be given
here on Washingtons birthday. For
mer Justice OF the Supreme Court Sam
uel Gustine Thompson. former Collec-
tor of the Port John r. Read, former
Democratic National Chairman Will
lam f. Harrity. John Cadwalader and
others OF like prominence signed the
call. These gentlemen propose to do
what they can to revive interest in the
Democratic party. and II can be taken
for granted that with the return of old
time leaders, vim and enthusiasm. the
Guffey style of personal politics will
not last long to dominate the affairs Of
the party.
t.s Ill N
Hill to speak at this dinner and there
will be Democrats OF prominence there
from other states. Senator German
will also be asked 10 speak
HILL FOR PRESIDENT.
II isn't improbable that the outcome
Of this dinner will be IA movement in
favor Of Senator Hill for the Demo-
ocratic nomination for president In
1904.
Guffey played into the hands OF the
Bryanites at the Kansas City conven-
ton when he declined To follow the
lead of Hill ana make a fight on the
floor OF the convention against the IL
To free silver plank. which Bryan In
sisted upon putting In the platform.
Hill. with the aid OF the Pennsylvania
delegation. could have beaten Bryan
on this issue. but when Guffey got the
Pennsylvania delegation To refuse to
join a movement In support OF the mi
nority report In the platform that set
tied the fight In favor OF the Bryan
idea
iiill's nomination would mean the
coming to the front Of the eonserva-
tive element of the Democratic party
In Pennsylvania and the retirement Of
many of the men who have been kept
In position by Guney's aid.
The latest exhibition of the Finn
control OF Gufey's political movements
was given In an interview with Guf-
fey, In which he went on record as
AGAINST the proposed reform charter
for ftttsburs This charter legislation
n. lnflar1. h.. l..al La