Evening star., 1905-11-05
4 VERY HOT FIGHT
PENNSYLVANIA POLITICS In A
TURMOIL.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

political fight in its history. In spite of the
roseate claims of the republican organiza-
tfon which has been termed by Secretary
Root "a corrupt and criminal combination
masquerading as republicans who place
their majority at from 10000 to $4,000. and
the equally rosy counter-claim of the de-
votees of civic reform Of from 60.O00 to
100. COO majority, 1t is an open secret among
leaders Of both parties that the fight is to
be the closest combat of ballots ever record
ed In the Quaker City.
Much bitterness Is rife. Libel suits have
grown out of stump emanations. the police
are divided. and 1t is freely predicted that
election day will be marked with more than
q single instance of bloodShed.
The forecasts quoted were announced this
morning, but If the relative merits of the
issues of both sides are considered, the
prognostication of the city party, which has
been indorsed by the democrats, prohibi-
tionists, Independents and Lincolns, de-
serves the greater credence.
In all there are nine tickets in the fed.
With the exception of the citizens party, a
decoy name filed by the organization. the
republicans stand alone. The socialist and
socialist labor also stand alone The city
party Is indorsed by the remainder as men,
toned above.
The only candidates who are being con-
sidered in the campaign are those of the
republican and the city parties. The former
ticket presents DIR. Joseph S. Neff for
Sheriff, Thomas Dugan, present coroner, re-
nominated for the same office; William EN-
sley and Howard A. Chase for county COM
missioners.
OF these Dugan is the most popular, and
the organization depends on hims entirely
for the salvation of the remainder Of the
ticket.
The nominees of the city party are VIII
enburg and r. A. Anderson for city COM
missioners and ]. M, Rush Jermon for cor
oner. Blankenburg Is the most popular
man on the ticket, having been consistent
agitator against machine rule and political
corruption for the past twenty-five years.
He is man of frreproachable character, a
millionaire. and commands the respect of
all classes. Each Of the nominees is strong
In the several bailiwieks.
Issues, Not Men.
But the fight is distinctfvely one of issues
and not Of men. On Philadelphia are now
centered the eyes of the country. The peo-
pie of this city realize It. The strife for
civic betterment has received the indirect
appreciation of President Roosevelt through
Charles Emory Smith and Jacob Riis. who
declare that were he a resident of Philadel-
phia he would vote the city party ticket.
Secretary Taft, too, in speech anent
ring-ridden Cincinnati, has stamped 1t with
his approval, and the enormity of the ex-
posures which have followed one after an
OtUcE SLICE Tic lUCSDttOH Oh tTe HRnl, 0dCu
one exceeding its predecessor in noisome
and malodorous detail has inspired the fear
Of almost certain defeat In machine cir
cles.
Beginning with the organizations attempt
ed $25000,0O0 gas steal, the forces which
have worked to bring about an utter de-
moraltzation of machine loyalty seem ire
sistible. Reform candidates are declaring
from the stump that mo honorable man, no
decent citizen can vote the organization
ticket and retain his manhood or reputa-
ton"
A review of the most glarlng revelations
of the past fortnight relieve this broad pro-
nouncement of an extreme Or far-fetched
guise.
The sensational aspects attendant upon
the failure Of the Enterprise National Bank
OF Allegheny and the suicide of its cashier
who left a note to his wife declaring that
he had been ruined by Bull Andrews who
is so closely identified with Philadelphia
politics. and the discovery that United
States Senator Boies Penrose was, in some
way, implicated IN the banks downfall, de-
spite his profane denial of the day after,
has had it's local effect. The startling
charges of graft made in the report Of
Maj. Cassius E. Gillette of Washington,
who investigated the Torresdale filtration
plant, as built by d. ]. McNichol Sc Co.,
the company including Israel w. Durham
and James P. McNichol, the former the
ter second In command-the latest expose
has created a feeling Of general revulsion
past all adequate estimate.
Graft, Graft, Graft.
In every line the report breathes graft.
graft, graft. Its conclusion Is ATTEMPTED
steal, 100000: accomplished STEAL s6,OOO-
Coo. An overpowering array Of facts and
figures substantate that conclusion, and
Its disclosures spell the ruin Of one man
George C.. DIETRICH who driven to des-
peration, deserted his Eeme and family in
a state bordering on insanity
The perpetrators of the alleged steal will
be brought to trial Immediately after cleo
ton, and in the words of Judge James Gay
tfce, impartial and unrelenting will be
dealt them"
The expose of graft In the smallpox san
itarium had like effect. Its perpetrators
are already in the hands of the law Like
revelations in the consumptive annex of the
Philadelphia Hospital have lent weight and
votes to the city party cause Many minor
instances of graft have worked to the
same end, and today CONSERVATION rules in
| the high and low places of machine circles.
Another candidate too. according to Col.
James Guffey, who will win by a majority
of G0,tvo in the state, is Mayor William H.
Berry of Chester, candidate for state treas
urer He will receive virtually all city
party votes in Philadelphia. because of the
fidelity of ]. Lee Plummer, his opponent,
to the organization and the recent exposures
as to the methods employed In the handling
of state funds by the crowd.
Women Enlisted
Over 10000 women have enrolled In a
club for civic purity. The number In
cludes some of the most prominent women
of the city. They are doing everything pos
sible, in their own effective way, for the
success of the fight which they tersely de-
scribe as graft versus anti-graft."
They hold nightly meetings. which are
addressed by leading club women, contrib
ute to the campaign fund and at home they
are insistent that husband and son shall
vote to uphold and perpetuate good munIc-
ipal government instituted by Mayor
John Weaver nearly year ago
Every minister and priest of every re-
ligious creed holds forth against the or
ganization weekly. The revolt is general
| in all circles of professional and CONNER
| cial life.
| Yet majority which is normally 10000
| to 200 600 must be overcome on Tuesday,
Drunkenness