The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-13
REVIEW OF THE
STATE FIGHT
HOW LAcKAwANNA FIGURED
IN THE FRAY.

Interesting Summing Up of the Bat
tie by Deputy Attorney General
Fleitz-Going Over to Quay of the
Watres Forces Had Influence on
Wavering and venal Delegates.
Fidelity of Congressman Connell.
Pennypacker's Election May Bring
Opposition to Penrose.
Defeated but not dismayed, Deputy
Attorney General F'leitz paused In town
yesterday on his way to u well-earned
vacation. Mr.. Fleitz was one OF the
hardest worked of John p. Elkin's lieu-
tenants and also one Of the most effec-
tive. He had especial charge of the Ell
kin fight in Tloga, his former home,
and the victory which Elkin won there
against unprecedented odds was large
ly due to the clever campaign which
Mr.. Fleitz organized. Asked last night
for his views on the convention, its
work and the situation 1t creates in
state politics, Mr.. Fleitz said:
"The friends of Mr.. Elkin throughout
the state have every reason to be proud
of the splendid showing he made in the
convention. When Senator Quay de-
clared against Elkin's candidacy. the
Philadelphia Press and other prominent
state papers took it for granted that
that was the end of the whole matter. He
had then carried seventeen counties and
had no less than forty-five delegates
In spite of the powerful combination Of
federal ofliceholders, a solid delegation
from Philadelphia and unlimited cash,
he continued the contest and on Mon
day before the convention, he had car
red fifty-one counties with 1874 dele
gates. having won every contest, where
the rules permitted the submission of
the matter to the vote of the people.
QUAY'S METHODS.
Quay knew on Monday that Elkin
had won his fight, but with his wonder
full resources he determined to change
defeat into victory. How this was done
is known to all who were at Harrisburg.
Delegate after delegate who had been
instructed for Elkin was gathered into
the Pennypacker camp by promises of
future political preferment or more
substantial immediate reward. North
cumberland county is a fair example. On
a popular vote, Elkin carried the coun-
ty, receiving 4500 votes to 400 for his
opponent, Colonel Watres. Yet two del
egates from that county were secured
by Quay for Pennypacker, against their
instructions by methods that were
at least questionable.
1.-The same methods were used in a
dozen other counties with more or less
success, but the Ell<in leaders never
doubted success until the state commit
tee packed with substitutes who held
proxies for the regular members, delib-
erately and by main strength unseated
four regularly elected Elkin delegates
and gave their places to four Penny
packer adherents.
1.-The combination then effected by
Senator Quay with the Watres forces
stampeded the wavering and venal
delegates and Pennypacker's victory
was assured. The remarkable thing
about it is that 152 delegates, coming
from forty-four counties, stood firm in
their adherence to the cause of the pop
ular young leader and fought stubborn
ly to the last ditch. The final figures
fourteen delegates were not needed to
make Pennypacker the nominee. How
ever. the earlier combination had it's
effect in producing this result.
VOTE IN THIS SECTION.
"The vote from this section of the
state is interesting to study. Elkin
had elected four delegates in Bradford,
one in Wyoming, one in Monroe and
nine in Luzerne. Quay had one in Sulli-
van, three in Susquehanna and one in
Pike. Watres had eight in Lackawan-
ma, two in Wayne and one in Luzerne.
"Quay stole one Elkin delegate in
the Fourth district of LuZerne, against
instructions: robbed him of two in
Wilkes Barre, by throwing out his
delegates, and secured from Colonel
Watres, five from Lackawanna, one
from Wayne and one from Luzerne.
major Whitney, of Wayne. and
Mcssrs. Allen, Van Buskirk and Mills,
of Lackawanna, voted for Elkin.
"Coionel Watres undoubtedly had as
surance from a number of delegates
in different parts of the state, but it
is hardly likely that any of them
would have resisted the Establishments
OF senator quay.
"How is the outcome likely to affect
the distribution of state patronage in
this section?" was asked.
"I am sure haven't considered that
phase of the question. Aside from my
own position, Lackawanna has but
two appointments at Harrisburg, one
ce?kship, held by C. B. Penman. and
a clerkship in the banking commits
sioner's Office held by William Dawson.
So, you see. it doesn't amount to
much"
"Will this result affect the local lead
ershlp in any way?"
NO LOCAL CHANGE./
"Of course not. Local leadership is
fixed by the people of locality. Mr..
Ccnrell is still considered by long odds
the most potent political factor in
Pennsylvania. He has
the personal friendship and respect of
both Quay and Penrose, who admire
him for his loyalty to his friends. as
was shown in this instance. Many
ago, Mr.. Connell had given
his word to Mr.. Elkin that In case he,