Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1901-12-06

lNuH Tut Nltttig luhH AOi mere idNehHt
in next years campaign; and revenge
would seem to be the capital prize for
which factionalism contends.
DEMOCRATS ORGANIZED FOR sue
CESS.
II anybody imagines that the men
who are doing the thinking for the
Pennsylvania Democracy are content
ing themselves with glittering general
tiles, OF with reading about Republican
squabbles he simply deludes himself.
The men at the head of the Democratic
management in this state are more
wide-awake than they have been in
the past decade or more. Formerly,
except in those years when victory
was virtually handed over to them,
they contented themselves with urging
some notifications of the Republican
estly and they believe, effectively for
success. They seem to think that Re
publican difficulty In Pennsylva-
MIA is DemOcracy's opportunity,
and they are proceeding along
the lines of Well-planned pro-
gram to carry the fight into every
county in the commonwealth, and into
every legislative district. The pres
ence, In addition to Ex-Governor Patti
son, Of eX-Judge Gordon, Senator
Hall of Elk, and Mr.. Cochran of Ly-
coming, in the gubnernatorial contest,
has given zest to the struggle and
tremendous effort will be made not
only to elect a governor next year, but
also to capture the legislature and the
United States senatOrship. Colonel
Guffey, Ex-Governor Pattison and all
their lieutenants are alert as they
never we're before at this stage of a
campaign, and a methOdical system of
GTpnmfgnffnn and missionary VUnTE lie
in progress. The legislative districts
will be the subjects of special atten
ton, and the forty or more that are
considered doubtful will be worked for
all they are worth, to the end that the
prize of a Democratic United States
senator shall be wrested from next
years battle. With factional Repub
lican candidate for governor 1t is con-
fidently believed that these districts
will positively go Democratic, and so
insure a Democratic legislature, and
Democratic United States senator to
succeed Senator PenTose. This is the
situation at the present writing, and
1t is impossible to converse with Demo-
Gratis, who have been through the
mill, and who are good judges of
conditions, without noticing the buoy
ant elation with which they regard the
outlook. Nothing would delight these
hopeful Democrats more than to see
the Republican managers run their
ship on the rocks by nominating
faction candidate for governor. That
is the one thing the Democratic lead
ers want; the rest will be easy. There
will be such tidal wave of Republican
Indignation against any attempt to
nail the party play to the pole Of fac
ton in the gubernatorial campaign
that Democratic success will be within
reach, and the leading Democrats are
already organizing and working for it.
They believe they cannot miss the
prizes this time, II the Republican
leaders will only accommodate them
by making the monumental blunder
they expect and, so, they are strength
ened and encouraged by the glittering
prospect of a sweeping victory. In
that event this would be the result:
A Democratic Governor.
A Democratic U. S. Senator.
A Democratic Legislature.
Several Democratic Congressman.
A Democratic Candidate for Presi-
dent.
And Four Years in Glover"
The prospect is sufficiently pleasing
to warrant exceptional activity among
the Democratic "Mandarins," and they
are putting forth their best efforts to
capture all the prizes in sight
STORING CAMPAIGN THUNDER.
The Ripper" act, as 1t affects Pitts
burg, Allegheny and Scranton, and as
1t may possibly affect other cities in
the state in case its advocates obtain
control of the next legislature, Is re-
garded by the Democratic leaders as a
great campaign document and will be
used for all 1t Is worth in the guberna-
torial fight. Next in Importance Is the
municipal franchise law, passed at the
last session Of the legislature, under
which certain privileged persons Sc
cured street railway franchises worth
tone 81 Ar11 ~ -.
litical thunderbolts will be added
Governor stones postscript" to his
Pittsburg letter explaining why he re-
moved Major Brown from the recorder
ship. In the postscript" the governor
denied the sinister allegation that he
tain bills passed by the Ripper" leg
islature. This denial was made by
way Of a challenge TO anticipate a
threatened exposure; still conservative
men regard 1t as unfortunate, since 1t
magnifies what was merely a whisper
ed rumor until the governor gave its
contradiction currency. Those who
know what material campaign thunder
is usually made Of already recognize
the use to which this postscript" will
be put In next years election should
any member Of the governors house
hold become conspicuous as a candidate
for state office. While no prominent
Governor Stones official approval of
any bill became merchandise, It is
greatly regretted that the slander has
had any voice whatever, even for its
denial, because Democratic managers
are shrewd enough to make the most !
Of the insinuation In connection with !
the Ripper" Act, and the LEGISLATION
known as ''the trolley franchise grab |
No matter who is nominated as the
hepublican candidate for governor he
will have to go up against these ugly
allegations which the Democrats will |
take care to saddle on the entire party, |
and It Will require a Republican candi- |
date Of exceptional probity, cleanness
OF character and freedom from fac
tiOnal leanings, to come unscathed out
OF the ordeal In the fight for the gov
ernOrship. AS the party responsible I
for the administration the Republican
party viii necessarily be placed on the
defensive, and II It Is forced by folly
into the position OF having to defend
the candidate, as well as the record /
made at Harrisburg during the last
session OF the legislature, 1t will find
itself In an unenviable position, a posi-
ton such as only its enemies would
like to see 1t occupy. However san
guine or jaunty those who are in pow
er may be in predicting victory, and
scomng at the suggestion OF defeat
the clear-sighted recognize that the
Republican party will have no picnic
In PennsylVania next year, no matter
who is nominated for governor. and II
becomes all the more imperative, there
fore, that a man like Colonel L. A
Watres be put forward, upon whose
garments there Is no smell OF smoke
and in whom the Republican hosts
vii recognize party representative
rho will need neither explanation nor
iDology. STREPHON.
Chas. Replogle, Atwater. o., was
IN very had shana He saws !. ..I