Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1901-12-20

candidates have been mentioned for
governor and praised for their quall-
iies with one exception none OF them
the quality which counts
most Ia the Office OF gnvernor That
quality Is executive experience Col
onel L. A. watres has II to an emil
nent degree. Hts experience as lieu
tenant governor at time when some
of the most important laws on one
statute book we're under consideration
gives him special advantages IN this
line The lieutenant governor OF the
state Is ex-ofiicio president Of the SEN
ste. and It is the verdict Of Democrats
hs we'll as Republicans that a fairer
presiding officer never welded a gavei
at harrisburg than Lieutenant Govern.
or Watres That Is his nature He is
iudicial-minded most OF all things and
ever anxious to accord TO an honorable
opponent his Just due. There are ma
lures so constituted that they are un-
able to make allowance for those who
differ with them, but Colonel Watres
is not Of that class. He recognizes the
inallehable right Of others to differ
with him in all sane and reasonable
things, even as he stands firmly upon
his own right to differ with others on
any question which admits Of an hon
orable difference OF opinion between
just and reasonable men. This is one
of the highest qualities the executive
Of a free people can possibly possess.
II would be difficult to think Of Nero,
for instance. as toleFating for one mo-
ment any difference Of opinion with
his own Sweet will" He was what
you might call a Ripper statesman
Of the most pronounced type; a "boss"
from whose decisions there was no APP
peal.
It is deserving of note that Of the
several candidates mentioned for the
ghhernatorial nomination Colonel L.
A. Watres. Of Lackawanna, is the only
one who has announced himself in the
open. All the others have been "sug-
gested." They have had some boss or
machine organ for their political spon-
sors. The people like an outspoken
man, and theyh the day has not gone
by when such a man can be a regular
Republican. In announcing his candi-
dacy Colonel Watres wished it partic-
ularly understood that he was a regu-
lar Republican and no factionist. He
might in all candor and modesty, and
without infringing on Dave Hill's pat
ent. have proclaimed himself in these
words: II am a Republican" without
offeDse to any man or interest in the
party; for II there is an earnest, de-
voted uncompromlslng, but broad
minded Republican in the state 1t is
Louis Arthur Watres, who was elect
cd lieutenant governor of Pennsylva-
MIA in the campaign that defeated the
regular Republican nominee for gov
ernor and gave the people -four years
more" of Robert e. Paitison for gov
ernor
A TEST OF POPULARITY.
II ever there was test Of mans
popularity it was in that campaign in
which Colonel Watres was elected
lieutenant governor, when the party
candidate for governor was defeated.
IN the first place Colonel Watres ran
that year against a man who was ex-
tremely popular; and secondly, every
man who has ever cast a ballot knows
that 1t is the most natural thing in
politics for the candidate for lieuten-
ant governor to go down with the can
didate for governor. The election Of
such a steadfast and honorable Re-
publican as Lieutenant Governor
Watres, therefore, in a campaign that
resulted in the defeat of the party
nominee for governor, is the best
proof that he was in the mind of every
Republican who cast a ballot at that
election, because the result involved
discrimination and a good deal Of
trouble. It is rare indeed that a candl-
late for lieutenant governor is elect
ed in a state campaign when the can
didate for governor is defeated, so
rare as to attract special attention and
comment
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN
DANGER.
In a former letter l described the
an unpopular candidate for governor
9f Pennsylvania. l notice in dispatch
from Washington this week that the
Pennsylvania congressman have taken
alarm at the prospect, and are prepar-
Ing to protect their personal interests.
They appreciate the fact that an un-
desirable nominee for governor will
are determined to look after them
selves. One OF the statements given out
Is to the effect that II machine candi-
date Is nominated for gOvernOr-one
whose candidacy Is likely to cause a
party revolt, the congressman will con-
hne their political efforts strictly to
their respective districts, and permit
the state campaign to go by default.
The effect OF such a course Is easily
fOreseen. Should the candidates for the
legislature take a similar view Of the
situation, chaos will dominate the state
canvass, and II defeat Is not general, II
will certainly be experienced In more
than one instance and more than one
district. This is why 1t Is essential to
nominate a candidate for governor
around whom the entire party can
-ally with undivided enthusiasm, and
for whom the efforts of every consist
snt Republican In the state can be put
iorth without hesitation, and without
misgiying. There Is call for a guberna-
himself Is to poll the full Republican
vote Of Pennsylvania. and who will
impart strength to every candidate on
the ticket.
Il Is the judgment OF the most Impair
lial minds In the Republican party that
Colonel Watres meets all the require
ments, and that his nomination for
governor would insure the success OF
Congressman, state legislators and Uni
ted States senator. Pennsylvania s pO-
litical responsibility will be great next
year, and party leaders will best
demonstrate their ability for leadership
by making such nominations as will
commend themselves to the approval OF
the people. There will be no other GU
harnnInrlaI alanLInn In IhI. aIaIa halora