Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1903-12-18

THE GoVEBNoB'S NEW MOVE
Those who saw Governor Penny
packer as learned but somewhat
erratic person whose incliuations
were upright and whose instincts
were to a proper performance Of his
duties with but little political guile
will now possibly revise their
opinions. He had stated that he
was elected governor by the people,
and would in obedience to the call
serve out his time in that Office.
When Judge McCollum, a democrat,
died, creating a vacancy on the
Supreme court bench, the governor
appointed IN his place Samuel
Gustine Thompson, also a democrat.
This looked like fairness but it is
now revealed that the willy governor
was only playing sbrewd but
rather underhanded trick to advance
his own interests. He now an
nounces that he is willing 10 resign
the Office of governor and accept
nomination for the Supreme court
bench next spring, which would be
equivalent to an election as of course
the democrats will nominate Judge
Thompson. Had the governor ap
pointed a republican he would have
been stumbling block in the way
for the republican convention could
do no less than nominate the COVER
nors sppointee and that would have
shut the astute governor out That
is one way Of viewing the situation.
There is another. So long as an
Ashbridge was mayor OF Philadel-
phia, things were easy for the gang.
Contracts went and graft was ram.
part. When Weaver was elected
mayor things became different and
the gang realized, what it had
probably long suspected, that with
an upright mayor its revel was
interfered with. It possibly in
anticipation of such a contingency
planned the whole scheme to have
Judge Pennypacker, against whose
character for integrity and upright
ness not a word could be said, but
VINO could not be depended on at all
times to do its will, nominated and
elected governor. To have William
NJ. Brown, known in some quarters
as "Oleo Bill, nominated and elect.
ed lieutenant governor, then just
before the time came for legislation
curtailing the power Of the Mayor o.
Philadelphia to have Governor
Pennypacker in some way succeeded
by Governor Brown. Now whether
she plan wasformulated by eovernoi
Pennypacksr TO advance himself 3,
the bench of the Supreme court o.
whether it was inoubated by tn
Philadelphia crowd for its owl
ultimate personal benefit, it woul,
seem as if the governor for the SAX
Of his own reputation should retail
his present position to the end 0
his term, barring his removal b.
death OF inability There is alway
an element Of weirdness abou
Pennsylvania politics but the COVER
nor Of our great commonwealth
should not make them more grotes
que by his political antics. Let th
governor consider the methods q
his nomination, his promise
retain his seat, and though his aC
gives intense pain 20 some Of hi
friends hold the ohaiE to the end q
his term and do his duty faithful
to the people who elected hin
After, if tho crowd which wishes {
have more latitude and be subject I
less restraint ID the management {
city affairs desires, let It nominal
and elect a subselvient governor
Let the party have &c least q sen
blance Of straightiorwardness
whatever direction. We feel bette
even when skinned 10 knowing thi
our own motives were honest.