Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-09-05
MCCLURES GAME
An Old Politicians Desire For Re-
venge Upon Republican Leaders.
70 HOLD BoLTlNe CONVENTION

Wanamakerism Called Upon To Help
Out Desperate Attempt To lnjure
the Candidates on the Republican
State Ticket.
Especial Correspondence
Philadelphia, Sept. 3.-Colonel Alex.
Ander X Mcclure. who has been
member of every political party that
has had an existence during the last
half century, excepting, OF course, the
Prohibition party, has determined to
hold an independent state convention
in this city on the 18th OF September.
Colonel Mcclure is just now on the
rampage and is out for revenge. He
is disgruntled because the Republican
organization of this city refused to
renominate his brotherin-law, Simon
GratZ, for the lucrative position OF
member of the board of revision of
taxes. Mr.. Gratz has been member
of this board for a number of years
and under his administration there
have been many complaints regarding
the determinations in favor of the
wealthy classes in the assessments OF
real estate for the purpose of taxation,
WHY MCCLURE KICKS
The Republican leaders of this city
determined to reform present condi,
tions and they had a bill passed at the
last session of the legislature repeal
ing the act under which the members
of this board were appointed by the
board of judges, and requiring that
these positions shall, hereafter. be
filled by elections by the people
Mcclure was intensely disappointed
over this move and he swore ven.
gance against the Republican party
leaders in this city and in the state.
He had been petted and favored by
the Republican organization for
number of years and he seemed to
have gotten the idea that he must
have everything he wanted without
question being raised.
A CASE OF BROTHERIN-LAW.
Another brother-in-Iaw of Mcclure.
Alfred GratZ, almost cost the Repub-
lican party the loss of the office of
register of wills some years ago when
he was forced upon the Republican
party as it's candidate by the late
James McManes, to oblige Mcclure,
who was, at that time, at the head
of the Philadelphia Times, and who
worked all parties to accomplish his
personal ends
There was a popular revolt against
the GratZ nomination and he only won
out at the polls by the aid of Demo
Gratis who believed in McManes and
who sold out their party nominee and
gave Gratz his election by misera.
BILE plurality of less than 1000, when
any strong candidate should have had
40,0 900 majority at least.
Now. Mcclure. although il is about
time for him to retire from the po-
litical arena. demands the reelection
of his second brothern.law for the
board of revision of taxes in this city,
and because the leaders of the Repub-
lican organization have determined to
shut off the Mcclure income from the
Republican party he proposes to join
hands with the remnants of the old
lnsurgent organization, and have a
state convention all to himself, with
Wanamakerism supplying the funds
to finance the game, and seek 10 cut
down the Republican majority in the
coming state campaign
Mcclure is the chairman of the so.
called Union party's" subcommittee
which is running the Independent
movement in the state, and George
e. Mapes, an old time Cleveland sup
porter is secretary of the committee
which has the matter in charge and
which is looking after the transporta-
ton of small fry and disappointed
politicians, who are willing to come
here and figure in an Independent con.
vention provided their railroad fare is
paid, and they are given money TO pay
their board and meet other necessary
expenses,
TO BE A PACKED CONVENTION.
The original proposition was to hold
this Independent convention in Har.
risburg, but when a canvas of the
state disclosed the fact that 1t would
be impossible to get any number OF
representative men to attend such a