Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1901-10-18
THE PROPER AGE
FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
A Bird's-Eye View of Politics
In Pennsylvania.
WATREs FOR GOVERNOR
What Men Are Saying About His
Fitness and Worth--A Repre-.
sentative RepubIican.

Towanda, Pa, Oct. 1O.-Here, at the
home Of the champioh Of the famous
"Wilmot proviso." Politics permeate
the crisp October air, and the latest
political movements are discussed
with a zest equaled only by new cider.
or the FIRST flow of the maple sap
among the hills of Vermont
David Wilmot's memory is an abid-
ing legacy in this section, and II
would be little less than iconOclasm
to question his full share in the
free soil" movement. There is a
sturdy leaven OF the robust but
wholesome Republicanism Of Galusha
A. Grow here, and Mr.. Grow himself,
who is a neighbor By the way, is
rightly regarded as a statesman,
rather than a politician The author
and advocate Of the Homestead act,
who Is designated with friendly al
liberation as "Galusha Grow of Glen
wood" although entitled to celebrate
his jubilee of public life, is as chip
per and cheerful as many men who
have not seen half his years. And he
is still able to render good service to
the state. But It is to the younger
generation that Pennsylvania looks
hopefully In next years campaign,
and this reminds me that the recent
declaration of Colonel L. A. Watres,
that he is a candidate for governor,
has met with a cordial reception out
this way. The people of this section
of the good old Keystone state have
high notions of integrity, even in po-
lltical matters, and while believing
firmly In their party, they are also
firmly rooted in the opinion that in
tegrity and politics are not insepara-
BILE. They are familiar with the ca
reer of Colonel Watres in the state
senate and as lieutenant governor, and
find that they regard him with de-
cided favor as a worthy successor Of
those whose names gave lustre to the
Republican party in it's palmy days.
LIFE'S PRIME FOR SERVICE.
1t is as true today as when It was
first uttered by the celebrated orator,
whose name became a household
word, that: Men in life's prime make
the best public servants. They are
not too young to lack experience, nor
yet too old to be hardened by it."
When these words we're addressed to
Alexander Hamilton he was in the
fullness of his powers. l believe they
apply as forcibly in our own day, and
in this state, as they did then.
The man who can reasonably look
forward to mary years of ripening
usefulness is unquestionably the man
for the people in positions of great
trust and responsibility; not the man
who is weary of life and jaded in the
pursuit of its prizes. In the good, old,
easy times, when political intrigue
had not reached its present perfection
in Pennsylvania, 1t was permissible
to have patriarchal-looking governors
who were as innocent of evil as the
statue of William Penn, but we have
learned wisdom from experience since
those halcyon days. and now it is not
sufficient that a man in exalted office
be Of sound integrity himself: he
must be vigilant and vigorous enough
to circumvent plots and counterplots
on the part of those who are less
honest. In the olden times there were
no adroit combinations, anxious to
undermine the constitution. The or
ganic law Of the state was respected,
and few dared to lay unholy hands
upon It. There were no legislative
Hobbies, to shape doubtful legislation
for the benefit Of the few to the detri-
ment Of the many; therefore ancient
amiabiAty was all-suficient in high
places, including that of the chief ex-
ecutive Of the commonwealth. But
we have travelled far along the road
Of experience since then, and have
learned a good deal. Now, we know
that energy, and knowledge, and
manly worth are as essential as high
character and irreproachable integrity
in the gubernatorlal chair. do not
here refer to the knowledge that is
merely selfish. or the species of en-
ergy which a President of the United
States once upon a time described as
"pernicious activity" but to that
knowledge which benefits all the peo-
pie as well as it's possessor, and that
energy which is exercised for the pub
lie good. Conspicuous examples Of
the class of men I refer to are to be
found In the annals of Pennsylvania.
It ought to be possible to revive the
public spirit that gave the state such
men and renew the manly worth by
which that sterling public spirit was
informed. 1t ought to be possible for
the Republican party, with its great
majority, to take high ground for men
and principles.
SOUNDING THE KEYNOTE.
From all sides hear that the key
note for the Keystone state has been
sounded by the recent letter OF Colonel
Watres declaring his candidacy. In
youth. experience, energy, ability, he
measures up to the requirements OF
the gubernatorial once. His public
utteranees have been few, but they
have invariably been wise. candid and
to the point On the occasion OF the
great Mckinley Memorial meeting re-
Gently held In the Scranton armory,
with no fewer than $4,000 persons
present, Colonel Watres voiced the SEN
timent OF that city In his fine address
to which / can make but the briefest
kind OF reference. When the wave Of