The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-10
Laboring People Not Opposed.

These same newspapers have been urging that
the laboring people OF the state are opposed to
my nomination. This has been completely an
swerel that 1t il scarcely worthy of consideration.
1t has been suggested that the United Mine
Workers OF Northeastern Pennsylvania were ar.
rayed against mo. Yet as ! came to your city
today, and as l look over this vast audience,
composed largely OF such people, the assurance
comes to me that the laborng people are my
friends. 1t has been my good fortune TO have
been associated with laboring men the greater
part OF my life. My natural sympatl,ies are with
thcm II has always been pleasure to serve
the interests OF labor when the opportunity pro.
sented ITSELF desire to return my thanks to the
wageearners of Pennsylvania ior the loyal and
cordial support they have given ME in the contest
for governor.
These same newspapers have urged that the
masses OF the people are opposed to my nomina
tion, yet wherever the question has been sub.
mitcd to the popular vote, the people themselves
have given emphatic denial to this contention.
II seems TO me but fair that all the candidates
for governor should come out from their hiding
places, NJ a few OF us have done, and lay their
claims before the people, that the popular
will may no ascertainel and the issue decided
when all the facts are known. Since my meeting
az the Hotel Strltiord II few weeks ago. and my
refusal 10 be eliminated from the gubernat torial
race, over five thousand letters and kilograms
have been received from people in various parts
OF ihc stale, giving assurances of their support,
The writers OF these letters and telcglams repre-
sent the leading business, professional and labor
ing men throughout the commonwealth, They
assure me Of their loyal support, and tell me that
this is the sentiment OF The people among whom
they live. From these facts, ! am forced TO con-
cnde that the leaders oI the party, who have I'M
deitaken 10 thrust me aside, are mistaken in the
real sentiment OF the people ON this question:
u least it is my determination to give the pco.
pie the opportunity TO decide this question 70
far as ! am concerned. invite the cooperation
OF every Republican who believes in fair play
nnd recognizes loyal, intelligent service as a
qualification for Office.
In his reply to Mr.. Elkin, Colonel
Watres said that II was the first inti-
nation he had had that he had
been hobnobbing with Mayor Ash
bridge and Mr.. Durham. 1t was news
to him II they are his friends. He had
no objection to an Office holder work.
ing in his own district, but this thing
Of men working for the commonwealth
moving their batteries about from place
to place to oppose candidates upon die
tation must be put an end to and it will
be by united Republican party. 1t
Is the system that he objects to he said.
Do you think the personal registr ton
amendment to the constitution VIII be
better enforced by the enemies of that
bill than by it's friends? he asked. The
state administration stands for what
the state does not stand for and what
The Republican party does not stand
for.
Let me say one more word about
that Ripper bill" he continued. "The
of a member for a year
after the people had an opportunity to