Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1902-02-28

bldllDIut anu IN ldtt inc WNDle nOilU-
eastern tier of counties, are enthusl
astic for Watres. and the sentiment in
his behalf is extending rapidly
throughout the state.
wATREs' CLUBS ORGANIZED.
And 1t is not the men Of promi-
nence alone who are active in behalf
Of Colonel Watres. The strength and
popularity of his candidacy are seen
in the organization Of Watres Clubs
throughout the state. These clubs are
forming in every one of the 81 coun-
ties Of the commonwealth, and their
membership is numerous and impress
sive. From what can learn of this
feature Of the preliminary campaign
the sentiment for Watres is assuming
the proportions Of a tidal wave all
over the Keystone State. It Is one of
the most remarkable demonstrations
made in behalf Of any candidate in a
good many years and it is practical and
will prove effective. The friends OF
Colonel Watres desire that this grow
ing sentiment In his behalf shall be
shaped into delegates who will go to
the state convention pledged to his
support The election Of delegates is
In the hands of the people, and they
will miss a great opportunity If they
fail to avail themselves Of their pre-
rogative at the primaries. The hope
Of the machine is that the people will
neglect the primaries and, so permit
the selection of delegates who can be
manipulated at the state convention
With the record Of the last session of
the legislature still fresh in the public
mind it would be a thousand pities to
let this important work go by default
in any district in the state. There Is
too much at stake this year to be in
different to the primary elections, or
neglect the important work OF electing
delegates who shall fttingly repre-
sent the popular will in the state con-
vention.
ROBUST REPUBLICAN SENTIMENT
Robust Republican sentiment is as
serting itself in favor Of the nomina-
tion of Colonel Watres not only in the
outspoken utteranees of leading mem
bers of the party, but in the newspa-
pers as well. Within the week 1 have
noticed unmistakable evidence of this
in some of the best party journals in
the state. These papers are both Re
publican and regular. They voice the
spirit Of the party, and are not the
nphnno rf nff aT a.
are edited by men who are evidently
anxious for victory in their respec-
tive districts as well as in the state.
and who want to see a candidate
nominated for governor whose name
will be a shibboIeth for success. The
Hallstead Herald, Of Susquehanna
county, may be accepted as a fair rep
resentatlve of the general drift of un-
adulterated Republican journalistic
opinion on the present situation. Sus-
quehanna is a Republican county. It
Is the county of Galusha A. Grow. the
veteran statesman and champion of
Republican principles, whose name is
a household word in this section. The
Hallstead Herald after paying tribute
to the greatness Of Pennsylvania po-
litically and industrially, declares that
in this years campaign the party lead
ers should give the people a candidate
for governor who has never been di-
rectly or indirectly concerned in the
obnoxious legislation that has been re-
Gently imposed upon the state against
its wish and adverse to its real well
fare, and see that he is otherwise ir-
reproachable." The Herald asks:
Would Colonel Watres meet these re- !
quirements?" and this is how it an
swers the question: Those who have
watched his career and are acquainted
with his fine personality, will answer
in the affirmative. He is an upright
and fair man. He has had wide ex-
perience in the public affairs Of the
state His administration OF the Office
of lieutenant governor was above re-
proach. His course as senator met
with the approval OF the state. His
name is not found connected with a
single unwise enactment. He is young,
high minded, energetic and fearless.
He Is a successful business man and
not professional politician. He
stands well with his party, and the
leaders have always found him fight
ing on the side that obtained, for the
straight party organization, the wis
est and safest result. He has not only
the respect Of the people, but he has
the respect OF the best straight Repub-
licans in the organization. He is a
party man, strong, vigorous and
brave in all those things that make
for the true welfare Of the state. He
would inspire the young voters to ac-
tive work He would enable the old |
leaders to inaugurate an offensive cam
paign from the start He would bring
a united support to the ticket OF both
the straight and independent ele- |
ments In the party"
The best Of all this is that every
word Of IL is true. and that it is a
modest presentation Of the merits OF |
Colonel Watres. Il is, moreover, an /
expression Of the opinion entertained |
by the most thoughtful men and news
papers in the state, those who are not /
willing to sacrifice the permanent sue
cess Of the party for the feeting tri-
umph OF faction. do not overstate
the case when I assert that all the in
dications at the present writing over
whelmingly favor Colonel Watres, OF
Lackawanna, as the Republican candi
date for governor Of Pennsylvania.
STREPHON
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