The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-05-22
MR.. QUAY AT HARRISBURG
The Same Old story to be Repeated
In 1902.

Under the heading "Mr. Quay at
Harrisburg" the Philadelphia Ledger
on June 2, 1898, contained an able
editorial which, with the change of
half a dozen words, would be as apt
and as true today as 1t was four years
ago. Then Quay wanted to own a
governor, one he might use to give the
people model administration. He is
the same hypocritical, corrupt manipu-
lator that he was then, with four years
more of political debauchery credited
to his disgraceful account. Following
Is the Ledger editorial:
Matthew Stanley Quay arrived in
Harrisburg on Tuesday night, and is
now issuing orders for the conduct OF
the Republican State Convention from
his headquarters at one Of the hotels
at the state capital. Mr.. Quay is
United States senator, and has de-
serted his post in the senate at time
when the country is engaged in the
most important business which has en-
! listed its attention since the close or
the Rebellion, to resume at Harrisburg
] the more congenial and for him the
I more befitting occupation of the arch
political boss OF the country, in order
/ to serve his own ends and to perpetu-
/ ate political rule which is rapidly be-
/ coming little less than Machiavellian
| in its sinister tendencies and results.
! Whether Mr.. Quays candidate for gov
ernor of Pennsylvania be W. A. Stone
or any other subservient follower, Mr..
Quay's intrigues at Harrisburg this
week will be those of the selfish spoils-
man, and all his art and cunning will
be exerted to further his own interests
and to secure the succession to the
Office of United States senator from
Pennsylvania, an exalted position, to
which he has added no lustre of states
manship, and to which he can bring no
respect and no dignity, and in which
he can represent nothing but decadent
politics and legislature which,
through the blight of Quayism, will
mark how high the tide of legislative
incompetency and groveling vassalage
to unworthy leadership rose at the
close of the century.
"Mr. Quay's senatorial seat at'Wash-
ington, though his desertion from duty
there violates flagrantly his official
obligations, in another view of the
case, has been appropriately vacated by
him. His absence from the senate
chamber will not be noted. If present
his contributions TO the solution of the
grave problems that vex the country
would be insignificant and incon-
sequential AS a constructive states
man he has been a monumental fail
ure. That he should be permitted to
represent Pennsylvania anywhere, in
any capacity, is a pitiful commentary
upon the intelligence and judgment of
the community. The rise of Quay, his
long rule as party autocrat, and the
apparent inability of the Republican
party hitherto to cast him off, suggest
a serious reflection upon our political
institutions. The perpetuation of the
insolent and corrupting regime which
stiles all political independence and
subordinates the principles, doctrines
and aims of a great party to the au-
tocratic will, to the caprice and to the
selfish purposes Of Matthew Stanley
Quay should be impossible in an in
telligent and self-respecting commun-
ity.
"A cynical philosopher challenged
the political proverb that the people
are always right, but admitted that
they would become so when fully in
formed and enlightened as to their true
interests. Revolt against discredited
} and debasing party leadership some
} times comes without much premoni,
ton. The remarkable series Of in
forming addresses delivered by Mr.
: Wanamaker have revealed to the peo
pie of Pennsylvania political condi
: tons involving the honor OF the Re-
publican party, which ought to make
! it exceedingly difficult for any self
respecting delegate at today's Repub
: lican convention to foist upon the
party any candidate for governor, OF
for any other state Office, who is thu
representative of Quayism. That po
litical trademark spells infamy and i
should mean inevitable defeat"