New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
4 NEW TURN IN THE COMEDY.

Another chapter has been completed in the
comedy of errors and misadventures in which
the Pennsylvania Democracy has recently In
volved itself. That organization, smarting under
the charge that 1t no longer constituted bona
ide political opposition, undertook this year TO
re-estabsh its reputation for integrity and
virtue by subjecting TO public discipline such of
its members as had lent their aid at Harrisburg
and elsewhere TO accomplish ends at variance
with accepted Democratic policy. The Demo
cratic State Convention pilloried as traitors the
Democratic Senators and Representatives who
had Joined with the Republican majority in the
last legislature TO pass the distinctly partisan
measures with which the calendars Of the two
houses were crowded Having also we'll
defined suspicion that the leaders OF the exist
ing Democratic organization in Philadelphia
were implicated in this betrayal of party duty,
the convention appointed a commission TO purge
and remodel the party In the chief city OF the
State II the declarations of the Allentown con-
vention meant anything at all, they meant that
the Democratic party should hereafter hold
firmly its own political course, free from de-
pendence on or obligation TO the rival organiza-
toner either faction in it-on whose power 1t
was 10 act as Legitimate and wholesome
check. But no sooner had the convention dis
persed and the recognizing committee In Phils-
delphia set to work than q radical difference OF
opinion developed as to the scope and meaning
OF the Allentown declarations. The Philadel-
phta reorgerJEers, backed by the country man
ayers generally. favored fusion with the inde-
pendent or union forces on both State and local
tickets. The existing city machine was bitterly
opposed to local fusion and openly defed the
authority Of the recrganizers by putting a
srraightout Democratic city ticket in the field.
-AH...- A. ~, II. Ts-w,
mttes held on October IL a fusion with the
Independents on State Offices was arranged, the
Democratic candidate for State Treasurer with
drawing ard the union nominee. E. W. Coray.
jr., taking his place. simultaneously all the
recalciuant Philadelphia members OF the COM
mittee were dropped. ana reform Democrats
were railroaded into the vacant seats. On an
appeal TO the Dauphin County Court these sum-
mary proceedings were promptly set aside. Mr..
Coray's nomination was declared void, and the
banished PhiladelpbiaEs were restored 10 their
functions as stste Committeemeo.
Last Tuesday the State Committee met again.
The reseated representatives OF the Philade-
phia Democracy were on hand, but when the
roll was called on a new motion TO put Mr.
Coray's name on the State ticket each of these
former violent champions OF independent party
action unprotestingly voted aye The triumph
of the fusion programme was complete. Con-
sistency was conveniently forgotten, and the
Allentown resolutions were frankly stretched
TO fit party needs in each and every part
of the State. Beginning a campaign with
declaration of policy based the evils of
entangling alliances, the Democratic party in
Pennsylvania is now committed both to and
against the practice Of political fusion. Here 1t
is for a fusion programme; there against 1t.
Tied to its past record OF haphazard scrambIes
for office, OF collusion and coalition, it cannot
set itself on the solid ground OF consistent
devotion TO principle or Of honest acceptance Of
political responsibility II continues to show a
feebleness and vacilation OF purpose which
must unfortunately long delay its discharge of
its true functions in State where a firm and
vigorous check on party power Is one Of the
most crying needs of present day politics.