The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-13
PENNSYLVANIA POLITICS.
win Palmer. Aided by Roosevelt. DE.
throne PenrOsc?

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12..-The result of
the political contest now fairly started In
Pennsylvania will be productive of ma
tlonwide interest and will he more bit
terly fought than any that has ever
taken place In the State. tho main issue
being the dethronemcnt OF Hon. Boies
Penrose, or his triumphant return to the
. United States Senate, panophed with the
power of a mighty victory.
The Hon. A. Mitchell Palmer, Admins
tration leader of the Democratic party
In Pennsylvania, Is leading the campaign
against Penrose with a degree of good
Judgment that will make necessary the
utmost political sagacity on the part OF
Senator Pcnrose to prevent his dethrone-
nent as the Republican leader OF the
, State
With such a stake at issue as "A Demo-
cratic Senator and Governor from Penn
sylvania In 1914 and Mr.. Palmer's advance
ment to absolute leadership In Congress.
to DO followed by the effect such a re-
suit would have for Wilson In 1915. IL Is
not surprising that Congressman Palmer
Is moving slowly, deliberately and with a
sense of caution and good judgment that
commands respect and confidence.
with a view to securing the strongest
candidates for Governor and Senator II
is possible for the Democratic party to
present for confirmation at the statewide
primaries TO be held In May Congressman
Palmer Is adroitly testing public senti-
ment. Mr.. Palmer's latest effort In this
trying out process. and II may be his last.
was to ascertain the feeling through
out the State for the Hon. William t.
Wilson. Secretary OF the Labor Depart
ment. for Governor. and the Hon. James
Gay Gordon OF Philadelphia for Senator,
and the result Is said to be SO highly
gratifying that the compromise combina-
. .l..t. 0 49,.
Democrat, for Governor and for Senator
Judge Gordon, the ablest leader of the
Old Guard OF Democracy" in Pennsyl-
vania.
Such an aggressive ticket would aim to
put senator Penrose on the defensive from
the start and II 1t succeeded the Repub-
lican party of Pennsylvania, which has
never won victory when making a de-
fensive campaign, would almost assur-
eddy go down In defeat.
To prevent that great leaders of Re-
publicanism IN Pennsylvania, comprehen-
slve minded and conservative. are already
counselling an aggressive campaign.
coupled With a wisdom that would unite all
factions of Republicans so that the State
may resume her place among the foremost
OF Republican States Of the Union: but
/ to carry this to Il successful conclusion
would mean Il sacrifice that present Re-
publican leaders In Pennsylvania have
not tolerated since the death OF Matthew
stanley Quay. and they doubtless would
rather submit to n Democratic senator for
six years and Democratic State adj
ministration for four years. as they have
done IN Philadelphia. than to make any
such sacrifice for the public welfare. at the
cost Of personal pride.
There has been no change in the Pro-
gressiyc probabilities. State Treasurer
Robert Il Young for Governor and Gif-
ford Plnchot for senator still stand. both
OF whom would doubtless withdraw IL the
Republican party could see its way clear
to rise to the level OF common sense poll
tics IN Pennsylvania.
II Republican leaders fail in their duty
To- the peopl. the hand of Theodore Roose-
Welt Will be felt and his voice heard in
the Pennsylvania campaign OF 1914 from
Philadelphia To- Pittsburg. and from
Pittsburg to Scranton probably with
greater csrnestness and effect than ever
before IN this state.