Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-09-26
FREELAND, SEPTEMBER 20, 1902.
SHINING AGAINST THE LIGHT.

SHINING AGAINST THE LIGHT.
The way to fight bossism is 10 op-
pose 1t all the time, to make no apollo
gies for it, and above all, not to be de-
ceived by any of its tricks. 1t takes
a great deal of courage and patriotic
backbone to stand up before Quayism
In Pennsylvania all the year round and
every year, but nothing can be gained
through any other course. A leading
newspaper that tells the truth about
political bandits today, and condones
their crimes tomorrow, hurts itself and
discourages the people. The Philadel-
phia Press was founded by John w.
Forney to fight bossism and wrong
ideas in the Democratic party. Dur
ing it's cventful career of nearly half
a century it has been mostly on the
side Of clean politics and honest gov
ernment; except when constrained by
the exigencies of partisanship, it has
given support to unworthy nomina-
tions.
In the fight on Quaylsm the Press
has rendered good service and it might
have splendidly supplemented this
work this year by helping to tear off
the mask SO transparently worn by the
hard-struggling and imperiled boss.
Quay Is making his last great fight,
and it is a thousand pities that the
Press did not stand firmly to its guns,
instead of feebly striking its colors
and joining hands in a desperate eff
fort to save the battered machine from
final wreck. 1t might have established
new claims to public confidence and
tion to rejoice with the people over
the downfall of bossism, over the
sweeping away of combination which
it has truthfully characterized as cor
rupt and criminal"
No paper in the state has more
plainly and forcibly pointed out the
monumental and perilous evils of
Quayism; more earnestly set forth the
imperative duty of true Republicans;
more courageously and justly denoun-
ced nominations made by crime"
more uncompromisingly demanded the
roofing out of every vestige of politi-
cal iniquity, represented by Quayism.
Two years ago it prophetically de-
clared that after four years of Stone
the people of Pennsylvania would
surely not be willing to endure another
Quay machine governor" -
What the Press said when it was true
to the people and itself is still timely,
the words of truth and soberness.
Elsewhere we give place to some of
these striking and patriotic deliver
ances. Let good citizens read them
over again, especially those Indepen-
dent Republicans who have been wont
to look to the Press for honest ex-
preston and wise direction. The
Press of today, swallowing itself,
apologizlng for, defending and sus.
tanning Quayism, is a most unhappy
spectacle. No matter what it may
try to think to the contrary, the amaz-
ing conduct and public utterances of
the Quay candidate for governor
prove beyond all doubt that Penny
packerism and Quayism mean one and
the same thing.
A vote In behalf of the creature of
the machine means an open declara-
tion in its support, a demand that 1t
shall continue in power to afflict and
burden the long suffering people of
Pennsylvania four years more. The
Press of 1900 and 1901 puts to shame
the Press Of 1902. 1t cannot expect
it's readers to believe that what 1t
now 80 strangely says is its own hon
est conviction. Every word it has
said against Quayism is condemnation
of itself in this hour. 1t cannot blot
out history. 1t cannot cover the foul
1t cannot kill the truth.