Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-29
MISCELLANEOUS REcoRD.
Tho Pennsylvanla Campaign.

lhc pohJlcAl campaign IN iehnsyi-
vania this year promises TO be the most
interesting and exciting since that of
1890. when, for a second time, Robert
L. Pattison, a Democrat, was elected
governor Of the Commonwealth. Now,
IS then. the contest is one between the
people and the corrupt and discredited
Republican machine. But this year, the
opponents Of machine government are
asked to follow the lead Of an independ-
ent Republican, instead Of an avowed
Democrat, as the chosen head Of the
opposition ticket
The overwhelming vote by which Lewis
Emery, Jr., candidate OF the Lincoln Re
publican party, was accepted as the Demo-
cratic candidate for governor, leaves no
doubt that the fusion thereby accom-
plished was acceptable 20 a large majority
OF the Democrats Of Pennsylvania. On
the other hand, the existence IN the con-
vention Of an element that demanded the
nomination Of a straight-out Democrat
for the Office Of governor is also evidence
Of a considerable sentiment among the
rank and file Of the party in favor Of a
straight Democratic campaign, with COM
plete DemooRtic victory as the object,
instead Of q fusion which viii divide the
honon in the event Of a triumph at the
polls.
The strength Of this sentiment, and the
number Of Democratic voters it may
represent, arc the uncertain elements Of
the campaign. II is conceded that pros
poets are good for an overthrow OF the
Republican machine, and that there are
anti-machine voters In tho State suii-
cient in number 70 accomplish this result
Il they stand together and vote solidly.
But viii they ? The answer to this ques-
ton viii tell how the election will go in
November
That the bulk Of the Democratic vote
will indorse the fusion ticket there is no
doubt. The uncertain quantities are:
The number Of Republicans who will sup
port the fusion ticket and the number of
disgruntled Democrats who will refuse
10 support t. particularly the latter. For
they, of themselves, may make fusion
victory either assured or impossible With
the Republican vote about evenly divided
the solid Democratic vote viii surely
make Lewis Emery, Jr., the next governor
Of Pennsylvania but the detection of even
one-fourth of the Democratic vote would
prove fatal
Among the Democrats who look with
disiavor upon the fusion movement are
two elements. Those who resist political
amalgamation from principle, and those
who are ever willing TO grasp any situa-
tion that ahonds a pretext for following
their natural trend and throwing their
influence and votes Ia favor of the corrupt
political machine. And the latter, IN
doing this, will prate even more loudly
about straight Democracy and unswery-
ing devotion 20 party than will those who
oonscientiously oppose any deviation 10y
the Democratic party from the straight
path Of partisan politics. Using party
devotion as a cloak. this treacherous ele-
ment Of Democracy, which abomds in
large numbers in Philadelphia, will give
couutenanoe and support to the Repub.
hean machine under Penrose. as heartily
a. ever did in the palmiest days of Quay
Possibly it would have been better had
the Democratic party Of Pennsylvania
in this years campaign, aligned itsel
soldly in favor Of straight party nomina.
tions and a straight party campaign
But q majority Of its representatives, IL
State Convention assembled, decided
differently, and there is no reason Z,
doubt that in 20 deciding it represented
che majority Of the Democratic voteu
Of the State The only thing to do nov
81 20 make the Democratic support O.
the fusion ticket as solid as possible. II
i throe-fourths Democratic anyhow, IN,
nominees for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, auditor
general and secretary Of internal Attain
being prominent and active Democrats
And these straight Democratic candidate
are TO be made the candidates Of tn,
Lincoln party also. The fusion, there
fore, is 70 be thorough, and the Demo
cratic voters Of Pennsylvania, may.
they VIII, make It successful az the cleo
ton In November.