Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-11-14
Pennsylvania's Political Centre
and Its Great Men.


vert, involuntarily, to the names that
have been so prominently associated
with the state capitol of Pennsylvania
in the last third of q century. Many
of the men who but q few years ago
were all powerful here in The political
life of the state, have passed forever
from the scene, and others are crowd
ing in their footsteps. The Hill" as
the site of the capitol has been known
for years. is enchanted ground. It's
hopes and it's tragedies would fill
great volume.
How many a young man ascended 1t
with glowing anticipations as his eyes
rested on the dome OF the old state
house. for the first time, while he felt
his heart beat high with the promise
I of achievement as senator or mem
I Der of the house only to return crest
] fallen at the end of the session, fully
/ realizing the poverty OF over-conidenf
ambition when it is swayed by cir
/ cuIustance and dominated by the mas
/ ter-minds of politics.
Like the old man and woman, in
| the melodrama, who approached the
] lights of London with buoyant spirits,
| but who, after an experience in the
| cruel city, passed heavy-hearted down
| the country road, bitter disappoint-
| ment has been the lot Of many bud
| ding statesman who felt that he had
| placed his feet in flames pathway as
he took his first steps forward to as
cend "The Hill" Others, firm of pur-
IN. ariT frnla
| integrity, have returned here with
new honors again and again and some
of them, wise in experience, still live
| to serve the state with ripened
| knowledge and sterling manhood
| that has come unscathed out OF the
ordeal Of legislative and executive re-
sponsibility.
General cameron's Home.
OF all the men who welded the po-
litical sceptre here General Simon
Cameron's memory remains the most
notable He drew men to him by
marvellous magnetism, and TO his lat
est days retained this remarkable fac
ulty which made him a power in the
noon of his prime. Passing along the
river bank this afternoon I recalled
I the little room from which he over
looked the Susquehanna in his de-
clining years, after his son Donald
had taken his place in affairs. Here
he could view the scene that first met
his gaze many year ago, when, as a
poor printer boy, he first entered Har-
risburg. little dreaming that he should
rise to power and place not only here
but in the nation. 1t was my pleasure
to have had many chat with the gen.
ial and kindly veteran in that little
room, and to hear from him some OF
the unwritten history or the events in
which he played a part. When Gen
eral Cameron was in the zenith of his
power he was indeed a poll ,ical giant.
and q more considerate man to those
who had any party claims upon him,
however slight, 1t would be hard to
find. He was not only strong himself,
but he surrounded himself by ga
laxy of the strongest men in the state.
With a following Of men like Quay,
Tom Cooper, Bob Mackey, Chris Ma
gee, Leeds, McManes, Martin and a
host of lesser, but not less active
spirits from all parts of the state, it
was not easy to overcome him. or
shake his influence in any conflict
that might arise at the capitol of
Pennsylvania.
His political captains were untiring
and invincible, and partisans from all
points were eager for his favor Peo-
pie outside the state wondered why
he held sway for SO many years, but
those familiar with the situation
knew there was no necromancy in his
methods. To his personal strength be
added the influence of those strong
men who were as devoted as were
ever the followers OF the Clan Gamer
on in the Scottish home Of his ances-
tors One of the most interesting
chapters in the history of this, or any
other state, centers in the Cameron
dynasty" as 1t used to be known In
those good old days, when conven-
tions and senatorial battles used to
brin~ the Republican hosts here from
Philadelphia, Pittsburg and other
parts OF the state, and Harrisburg
was rhythmic with the tread of
marching men and gay with their
banners and their badges.
But the House of Lochiel is now
little more than memory, and It's
surviving representative, Don Gamer
on, although mentioned for governor,
is said to have no ambition in that
direction. This much l learn, how
ever, namely that, he is opposed to
faction and wishes to see the best
traditions of the Republican party re-
stored by the nomination of a candi-
date who is not factionist and
whose candidacy for the ONCE OF gov.
ernor would bring together all the
elements of the party in the interest
of good government; one who would
redeem the grand old Req &blican or
ganization from the reproach Of de-
generacy and disintegration.
From all | can learn Colonel L. A.
Watres is such a man. His valuable
experience here, as state senator and
lieutenant governor; his clesn re-
cord; his urbanity and his unfalter
ing party loyalty, particularly qualify
him for the confidence Cf every Re
publican who believes in regularity
with decency and honor and who is
anxious for SUCCESS In next years
gubernatorial campa gn. / do not
over state the case when ! say thar
the state senate was never presided |
over by one who so Thoroughly en-
toyed the confidence and respect OF |
that body as did Lieutenant Governor |
Watres, whose nrmness, courtesy and |
fairness are still remembered here |
and frequently referred to in fatter-
ing terms.
A Wise Constitutional Provision.
One OF the wisest provisions Of our |
state constitution. is that which re-
stricts the governor Of Pennsylvania |
to a single term. 1t declares that; |
"The governor shall hold his Office
during four years, from the third I
Tuesday of January next ensuing his !
election, and shall not be eligible for |
the next succeeding term" | find Re- |
publicans here who are of the opinion |
that this provision might well have /
been extended to some members OF /
the governors cabinet The argu- |
ment is that by securing the election |
OF a member of his cabinet as his sue. |
cessor, a governor, who might be SO !
minded, could virtually continue his I
policy for four years beyond his own |
term. The possibility OF abuse grow.
ing out of such condition would lie
in the use of the administration ma 7
chfpa-v IN rrarnOta tha candidacy of