The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1902-04-24
THE PASSING OF QUAY
THE Power Of the Boss Slipping From
His Grasp to Younger Men.
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"a. J. PALM.)
It has been evident to the careful
observer for some time that Quay is
no longer the absolute dictator in
Pennsylvania politics, Notwithstanding
the fact thaS those who look upon him
as a political demi-god still insist that
the political situation rests entirely ir
the hollow of his hand. When Dur
ham. Stone, Elkin & Company elected
Quay to the senate in 1901 they felt
that this ought, In all decency, to be
the Old Mans farewell appearance,
either as a candidate or dictator. He
has been in the political swill with
snout and both feet for over forty
years, and these men have reason to
feel that, in view of his many sins, he
ought now to begin his preparation for
death. and leave the political corrup-
ton counter to younger men. They
NO doubt feel that they have done his
dirty bidding as long as he can rea-
sonably ask and that, in the language
Of the vernacular, he should now "go
wny back and sit down." The ruling
passion is, however, strong even in
death and the Old Man, tottering on
the verge of the tomb, still imagines
that his advice and dictation are ne.
cessary to keep the politics of Penn
sylvania pure and unspotted from the
world.
He was ignored in the Pittsburg
deal and IL Is safe to say that he will
be ignored from this time forward ex-
cept when he sees fit to go along with
those who have decided that they will
hereafter run the political machine in
Pennsylvania. Whether he pretends
to oppose Elkin simply that he may
have little more influence later on
with those who are against the Indi.
ana man, or whether he really is op-
posed to his nomination makes but
little difference; for those in charge
of Elllin's case propose to nominate
him whether Quay sanctions or OBJ
iects, and nominate him they will.
Why should Quay oppose Elkin?
Elkin has been an apt pupil in the
Quay school and stands near the head
of the class in the art of managing the
political mill so as to get the biggest
possible grist to be divided among the
faithful henchmen. Elkin has never
done anything to equal Quay's politi-
cal iniquitous transactions in politics
and it looks cowardly now in the Old
Man to begin to hedge and doubt FL
kin's ability to carry the state. Elllin
is smirched with Quayism and that
is the reason why the people don't
want him for governor.
1t is simply ridiculous to hear men
talking of Quay as candidate for gov
ernor in order to harmonize the party.
Those who think this would be a So
tuition of the Republican problem must
place a very low estimate on the in
teliigence OF those who are opposing
the machine and it's methods. The
machine is what the honest voters of
the state are opposing, and all ma
chine men look more or less alike to
the man who has become disgusted
with the high-handed outrages that
have recently disgraced the common
/, wealth. To say that any man would
prefer Quay to Elkin Is to say that he
would prefer Beelzebub to one of his
1nderling angels.
The surprising thing is not that
Quay has lost his grip, but that he
has held 1t so long. That able men
have been willing for so many years
10 carry out his orders, no matter how
great the loss of self respect it i'm
Piled, is utterly ncomprehensible.
Quay has been charged with all sorts
Of misdoings, from manipulating state
funds to causing several men to COM
nit self murder. We do not know
hat the new boss will have any more
conscience or that he will have any
more regard for the welfare of the
state; 1t is hard to believe that he
can be worse. AS there has been a
constant growth of sentiment against
Quayism, it is to be hoped that bosses
may hereafter be squelched as soon
rs they show their heads. The time
For cnoh a xunrl, 10 1npu root duo