The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-07-11
THE ONLY ROPE.

LII buS OlSSllOll vi lOOO NllS M
publican party of Pennsylvania was
in a minority. Had the anti-Quay
forces been united, William A.
Stone would have been defeated and
the riot of corruption and favoritism
which has prevailed during the last
three years, would have been i'm
possible. But stupidity the opposi-
ton was divided and between the
two armies ofthe people the machine
marched to victory.
And this same thing will happen
again unless better counsels prevail
than those which determined the
line Of attack three years ago.
There is but one way to accomplish
the overthrow of the predatory
band which holds the Common
wealth in thrall. The Democratic
party alone is not strong enough to
drive out this piratical combination.
But il the Democrats can unite with
those Republicans who still cherish
a sense of decency and who still
recoil from the prostitution Of the
party name to personal profit and
aggrandizement, there is then better
than fighting chance for victory.
1t has been demonstrated once that
the Quay freebooters are in a minor
ity. But in that instance the dem
onstration came to nothing practi-
cally, because the majority was
diffused and its efforts went without
effect.
The Swallow movement in 1898
was stupid movement, viewed
from the standpoint Of practical pol
itics. There was no more hope for
the election ofthe Rev. Mr.. Swallow
than there was for the election of
the Socialist Labor candidate for
governor. The only man for whom
there was any chance except Will
lam A. Stone was George A. jerks,
the Democratic nominee. Mr.. jerks
in every possible way was worthy
of the confidence and the support of
the people of Pennsylvania who
were in revolt against Quay and
Quayism. But more than hundred
thousand of the anti-Quay element
threw their strength away on DR..
Swallow. There may have been
some moral effect in this sacrifice of
effort and strength, but there is no
proof of the fact in the amazing
record since made by Gov. Stone
and the Quayized Legislature. 1t
may have been thought by those
who knew vote for Swallow was
in fact vote for Stone, that the
Swallow diversion would serve as a
warning to the Quay machine and
that Mr.. Quay and his tools would
hesitate to triAe with public senti-
ment so wrought up that it could
crystalline itself into AN independ-
ent political movement. Yet the
Quay people have utterly disdained
the warning and they will disdain
all like attempts to teach them
humility. So long as they can keep
the forces Of opposition in hostile
camps they will proceed with their
looting undisturbed. The only thing
they have to fear is united opposi-
tion and they count upon the folly
of dissatisfied Republicans to make
this impossible.
But this should not discourage
Democrats from eXhausting every
effort in the attempt to draw togeth-
er in compact body all the elements
of opposition to Quayism. There is
no reason why Democrats should
hesitate formally to invite dissident
Republicans and all others to Join
with them in the great and import
ant work of the rescue of the state
from its despoilers. They need
sacrifice nothing either in dignity or
in opportunity by saying to the dis
affected of all sorts and names that
they are ready to confer with them
as to the surest means of ridding
Pennsylvania of the dishonor and
the shame to which she has fallen a
victim. Unless this shall be done
there will in all probability be a
futile side party movement through
which the Quay machine will slip
easily again into power.
The Democratic leaders may pro.
htably consider this suggestion. On
the other hand the disaffected Re-
publicans and the independents gen.
orally may also consider; they may
whether it is wise for them,