The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1901-01-30
DEMOCRATS AFTER
GUFFEY'S SCALP.
Movement For a Reorganization of
the Pennsylvania Democracy,
LEADING MEN INTERESTED,
Minority Party Tired Of Having Their
ognniEation Made simply an Annex
gent Republican Politicians.

Philadelphia, Jan. 29.-James NJ.
Guffey, who has undertaken the task
of leading the Democracy Of Pennsyl
vania, is to be confronted with power
full and vigorous opposition to 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. II is charged
that there is no genuine Democracy in
the present leadership Of the party in
Pennsylvania and that Gufsy's ef-
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 il 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.
FLINN CONTROLS DEMOCRATS.
Flinhas practically had control of the
Democratic organization and been the
real leader, for it has been under his
directions that the Democratic mem
bers of the legislature have acted up 10
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. snd a few
worshipers at the shrine Of Guffey. men
with little ability and no stsnding 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 Teen
| made in. this city within the last Few
days in the direction Of reyiving 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 Gufey 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.
Gunev's personal admiration confer
| enCes or Few or ms retalrers are not
in accordance with the cid fashioned
Democratic meetinss when men Of the
stamp Of Curtin. Randall. Bucka'ew,
Wallace, Scott, Igsnsel, Black ard Har-
rity figured in the councils Of the party.
Now the Guffey sessions are atteaded
by a 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 GuTey says
and that is what the Democracy of
Pennsylvania has come to urda- the
Guffey regime.
OLD TINE DEMOCRATS TO THE
FRONT.
Now tre first signs Of an awakening
OF the Democratic hosts are given In
a move made last week in this city,
when hundred men, formerly active
in Democratic politics, men of wealth,
influence and standing in the commu-
nifty, signed a call for a DemocrHA &c
gathering at a big dinner to be given
here on Washington's 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
I 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.
1t is proposed to invite Hon. David B.
Hill to speak at this dinner, and there
will be Democrats of prominence there
from other states. Senator German
will also be asked to speak.
HILL FOR PRESIDENT.
1t isn't improbable that the outcome
Of this dinner will be a 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-
: tion when he declined TO follow the
lead Of Hill and make fight on the
floor Of the convention against the 1f
/ 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 tC
, join movement in support of the mi
nority report in the platform that set.
tied the fight in favor of the Bryan
, idea.
Hills nomination would mean the
coming to the front Of the conserva.
tive element Of the Democratic party
: in Pennsylvania and the retirement ot
many of the men who have been kept
in position by Guffey's aid.
The latest exhibition of the Flinr
{ control of Guffey's political movements
was given in an interview with Guf
| fey, in which he went on record as
/ against the proposed reform charter
, for PittsbuTg. This charter Legislation
is now before the legislature at Harris
= burg, and its passage will mean III,
= retirement Of Finn as the polit!ca
p boss of Pittsburg. II will also mear
a complete revolution Of methods II
the management Of municipal affairs
in that city, such as the people hav,
+ long sought, but which have been de.
MED them through the manipulation
of the army Of ofIiceholders who hav,
8 always been drilled into line BY Flinr
, and his lieutenants.
5 GUFFEY HELPS THE RING.
5 Now, when the people Of Pittsburt
are demanding this reform legislation
D Guffey comes to the front to help Film
t in his fight for a continuance Of tho
5 ring power which has been a source Of
e great profit to him.
= Democrats throughout the state be.
D lieve that Guffey should place their
, party in line with reform. that n
G | should not be made an obfac+ ~ .oo-