New-York tribune., 1902-06-29
AFFAIRS IN PHILADELPHIA
WHAT NOMINATION OF EX-GOVERNOR
PATTISON MEANS-ELKIN ASPIRES
TO SENATORSHIP.

Philadelphia, June IS (SpeciaD.-The nomination
of Ex-Governor Pattison by the Democratic State
Convention the first ba Hot has given most en-
phatc notice to the Philadelphia Democracy that
National Committeeman James NJ. Guffey has un-
disputed control of the organization in the State
There recalcitrant Democrats in Philadelphia
there recalcitrant Republicans They have
smarted under the mputation of party treason cast
upon them by the State convention preceding the
one of this week. which appointed committee of
country Democratic leaders to come down Phila-
delphia and investigate the causes of the decadence
Of the party in the city. and to suggest d remedy
or adopt plan for complete reorganization. For
years the two factions had no real cause of con-
test, except that each of them wanted train with
the successful faction of the Republican party. and
thus the election of it's partisans the
few remunerative offices from which Republicans
were barred by the law governing minority repre-
sentation- The bodness with which this policy
was followed resulted in the naming of one Demo-
cratic faction Assistant Quay-Durham Repub-
cans'' and of the other Assistant Dave Martin
Republicans" 1t depended only upon which Re-
publican faction at the primaries determine
which Democratic faction would vote the straight
Democratic ticket. The result that the ticket
never poled more than about half of the real DEM
ocratic vote of the city.
But when the country Democracy determined to
interfere in this trading game both factions
together and raised the fight of the city against
the country. The woes of the city Democracy
reached a climax when. a result of the State
in the State convention was down from sixty to
twenty.nine In a spirit of revenge and without
the candidate of Colonel Gufey's choice. the city
person of exConsressman Kerr, and attempted m @ to
raise the issue of country against the city,: with
having a country candidate The object of attack
mas Sa R9s as IT to 6e Pafs9 m
tempts to disguise the real motive. the situation
which it naturally would have attained.
this this city all the sSistant quay lea
ballot for Judge Pennypacker, the leaders going 10
the polls and ostentatiously Paradins their support
the Pattison candidacy will be TO strengthen Demo-
ties where under normal conditions the vote for
members OF the legislature and for county Offices IS
close.
The only remarkable incident of the week in Re-
publican State politics the firing by Governor
Stone OF the opening gun in the campaign of At
torney General John P Elkin for the succession
to BOies Penrose United States Senator In
Pittsburg interview Thursday night the Gov
ernOr. who has been fought all through the State
over the shoulders of EIkin. declared himself for
the Pennypacke ticket. and announced that, while
speaking, his lately defeated candidate for the
Governor nomination would 49,
There is no question in my mind said he that
veber W a Pf know here are local disputes and
factional quarres, but there are questions para
portat 10 an eecion m as 2 that @ for oveTnor O ong
and legislature The questions all of a national
character, there being United States Senators TO
elect. The paramount principle is party policy. L
do believe that in this election there will be
Republican who will cast his vote for the Demo-
cratic ticket, knowing he may a movement
which might result in Democratic supremacy in
State and national affairs.
II is known that between the mayoraIty of
Philadelphia and United States Senatorship from
the choice of Senator Penrose is the
Besides. the Quay-Durham people are
determined to avoid another Ashbridge fasco. and
there is no one whom they would rather trust
the heretofore uncOnceved possibilities of the office
of Mayor than the present senior United States
Senator. Many other names have been mentioned
mayoraty possibilities. and before real cam
paign opens there will be many more but Senator
Penrose first choice of the leaders unless other
arise which will bring Senat or Quay
and his friends the conclusion that their pur-
poses may be best served by keeping Mr.. Penrose
where he is.
Attorney General Elkin is we'll aware OF this
state of affairs, and he considers the field open for