The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-08-08

The new deal in Philadelphia by
which EXGov. Robert T.. Pattison
is placed at the head of the Demo
cratic city organization is an event
that should please every Democrat
in the state. 1t has been openly
charged for years that the Demo
cratic organization in Philadelphia
has been used to serve Quay and
his friends whenever the oppor-
tunity presented itself
Aside from the question as to the
truth or falsity Of this charge, the
fact that it was persistently made
and widely believed rendered it alb
solutely necessary to make a change
i'll the Democratic leadership of
Philadelphia i'll order to redeem the
organization from the bad repute
into which.it had fallen. The first
important step in any reform move
ment is to get the leadership into
able and honest hands; and when
that Is accomplished a long stride
has been taken toward reaching a
better condition of affairs. The
soldier takes the general as his
model; the pupil looks up to his
teacher, and the followers III any
movement take their inspiration
from their leader Hence it is of the
utmost Importance to have an able,
skllltul, courageous and honorable
leader in any movement if Success
Is to be expected.
Ex-Governor Pattison possesses
the elements Of successful leadership
III a remarkable degree, and the
fact that he has undertaken to bring
good out of evil in Philadelphia it,
spires general feeling ofconfdence
throughout the state that he will
speedily bring about better politi
cal condition in the Quaker city.
Letters received by the State Cen
tral Committee from all parts of the
state show the high regard in which
Mr.. Pattison is held by the people
OF Pennsylvania, and it is the duty
OF every loyal Democrat to render
all the aid possible to assist in the
responsible task he has undertaken.
The convention to be held on the
18th promises to be all orderly BODY
composed Of intelligent men who
Will be guided by their sense of
right as to what is the best interests
of the party.
mere seems to be a general de-
sire among Democrats for a harmon
lous and business-like convention
with short platform, touching only
on matters i'll which the voters of
the state will be interested at the
coming election, Nothing would
please the enemy more than to see
the convention adopt revolutionary
methods in dealing with the ques-
tion of membership, throwing laws
rules and regulations to the wind,
In this they will not be gratifed,
for should there be any contested
seats every delegate will be given
his credentials because he is entitled
to them under the rules of the party
organization. The Democratic partv
IS not a ripper organization, nor
Will 1t countenance ripper methods
III conducting its convention.
That Mr.. Pattison has the con-
hdence and esteem of his party is
shown by the following editorial
opinions selected from large num-
Der, that have praised his selection
as the head of the Philadelphia
Democracy;
So great is popular confidence in
the probity of this distinguished
Pennsylvania, so widespread is the
belief that he would not voluntarily
risk his reputation in questionable
association, that Democrats from all
over the state are ready to give him
all possible encouragement in the
work of party rehabilitation. There