The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-04-23

| our IOWnSnan, Colonel Wat
Il res. that he intends to seek
further test of popularity
with Attorney General Elllin in open
primaries yet to be held is creditable to
his pluck and highly satisfactory to the
supporters of Mr.. Elkin. 1t Is what
they have invited. 1t is-what they sim
cerely desire.
The demand of John p. Ilkin and
those with him in his fight for fair
play is that the Republican masses in
Pennsylvania be permitted to exercise
their right to choose as the party nom
inee for governor that Republican
whom majority of them clearly favor.
The supporters of Mr. Elkin believe
that the choice of the people would fall
upon their favorite. They base this be-
lief upon the fact that in every coun-
try where the issue has yet been fairly
raised, John +. Elkin has won decidedly
In Bradford, Blair, Lebanon and two
districts of Luzerne the issue has been
drawn with unusual clearness and in
each of these counties the manifesta-
tion of popular endorsement for the In
diana plow-boy has been one of the no.
table features of modern politics: in a
number of other counties Elkin has
won virtually without opposition; and
only in the few counties where dele
gates have been chosen by manipulative
processes without reference to popular
opinion and hastily sealed up as "unin-
structed' has he failed to sweep the
field.
But the entry of Colonel Watres as an
active competitor by registration where
the popular vote can be ELECTED presents
IL raliSlng point for those opposed to
Mr.. Elkin's candidacy and should,
therefore, contribute to political fair
ness. Should Watres by this means
win majority in the state convention
he Will have no more loyal supporter
than John p. E.lkn. Conversely, should
he fail to prevail over EIkin, any
attempt by Senator Quay and his bri-
gade of Federal Office -holders to take
from Elkin by throttling processes the
fruits of fairly won victory will be
made vivid before public scrutiny and
those responsible for it will have to ac-
ccpt the consequences.
In this connection the following dis
patch from Pittsburg. printed in the
Philadelphia Public Ledger, has curious
interest: "Close friends of Senator
quay are authority for the statement
that he has decided to force the fighting
against Elkin at every point. AS proof
of this fact, the Federal otiice-holding
crowd. headed by Revenue Collector
Hershey and United States Attorney
McCarrell, has been ordered to fight |
the election of E,lkin delegates i'm |
Dauphln. Quay has notified his Federal
appontees in other counties that they
must bring in anti-Elkin delegates. |
Quay and his leaders have, it is UNDER |
stood, fully decided that Cameron is an |
and have indicated that |
Joseph Sbley is their
choice for governor. A dual object is to
be accomplished in taking Sibley. He
is enormously wealthy, and would go
into the campaign with the earnest
support of immense corporate interests.
and has the reputation of being the
most spectacular campaigner."
The more the merrier, provided only
that the people be permitted to de-
eide. BY their decision the friends of
l;lkin are willing to abide.
,The claim of the Elkin opponents that
their men We're bought away from