Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-15
Why the Evening Ledger Fights Pcnrose

sufficiently grave to make his defeat a public
necessity. IL the record of Mr.. peurose
absolutely forbds support of him by
respectable newspaper, quite obviously
decent regard for the welfare Of the state
and nation requires that newspaper to bring
all of It's influence to bear to cause his defeat
He is either so Objectionable that the Even
ing Ledger must hsht him, or he is not
Objectionable enough to justify refusal TO
indorse him.
Middle ground for newspaper in such an
exlgency is cowardIy. In fact, the Evening
Ledger is not only confronted with u para
mount duty, but with a splendid opportunity
for service. The independence OF its view
point causes 1t to be observed by the forces
of good government without respect to
party, in all parts of the Union. Men be-
lieve, and have a right to believe, that at
last there is In the East a great metropolitan
daily which will speak boldly, without fear
of interests, corporate or popular. and stand
irrevocably for good government no matter
under what party banner.
Whatever the standing of Penroseism In
Pennsylvania it is hated and detested IN
every other State Of the Union. Nowhere
else is there any attempt to defend it. The
failure Of the Evening Ledger to wage an
energetic campaign against it could be inter
preted in but one way. The papers sin
cerity would be questioned.
Manufacturers believe that Mr. Penrose
will be able TO write the next tariff bill II
Repubhcanlsm is rehabitated. That is an
erroneous view. No party would dare enact
a bill written by Mr.. Penrose. Republican
majority in Washington would find some
other chairman for the Finance Committee
of the Senate. The seniority Of Mr.. Penrose
would not count.
Pennsylvania manufacturers misinterpret
the signs Of the times quite sadly as did
the southern shareholders. The election Of
MIR. Penrose would hamstring the Repub
loan campaign in 1915. With Penroselsm
around the neck of the party, what chance
Would r have in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan. Ohio, In any OF the pivotal States
which showed so plainly in 1912 that they are
through and done with the methods Of Pen
rose Foraker and that class Of men? II IS
well understood that the Democracy would
view Penross triumph with a Light heart,
being convinced that it marked a sure free
trade victory in 1915.
The Evening Ledger owes a duty to the
nation. It must ConscieutiousIy work Tor the
rehabilitation Of Repubucanisn. That can
only be brought about by the defeat Of PEN
rose. His elimination is necessary 20 purify
the party, to persuade the nation that it is
purified It is a medicine which the true
friends Of the Republican party viii insist on
It's taking.
There is but one position for the Evening
Ledger TO take. II must declare, az the con-
dttions prove, that this is moral issue. The
economic principles Of Mr. Palmer IL cannot
indorao, but his political morality /: can ap-
plauG As between q man Of high principle
and ether man whose political record indl-
cat. 1 principle AZ all. it must stand for
the rer. \ tariff IS but one NJ many
thin on which Senator votes. on other
thlra Mr.. Palmer Is sound. A political reyo-
lut 20 so great as 10 give a chance for a new
tariff would be great enough surely 20 assure
q majority in the Senate without the aid
Of one Pennsylvania vote. oliver rs stu
there: and the loss Of one vote which the
defeat Of Mr.. 0enross would entail, might
readily mean the gain Of five or ten votes
from other States, which otherwise would
not send Republican Senators 10 Washington
So far as local interest ls concerned. in all
his Y. rs I'm Washington, for Philadelphia
Mr.. T.rr rose has done practically nothing The
Delan are has been neglected, the custom house
Is 81 disgrace and the postotHce As u.,'. bet-
ter The freight Of the nation has flowed by
ladepha and on 70 New York. IL should
re stopped here II viii when the Gov
eminent State and national, does as much
for the por, as has been done for Eaw York
Eut while Mr.. Ponro== controls affairs there
viii he no difference. Hts interests are al
i'm one direction
The Evening Ledger loyalty proves Us Re
pubucaulsm ry i-z support Of Nr Brum-
baurh. In demonstrates IT'S allegiance 10
national Rcpuhlicarism and good government
by calling on the voters 10 prove that PEN
roselsm IS not Eepubuca0!sm by showing
that his defeat is q prerequisite 10 the sue
cess of the party I'm the nation by support
ing Mr. Palmer, not because, but iu spite. OF
his tariff views.
Advocates Of good government can justly
say. IF the Evening Ledger IS not for us 1t
is against u.s., but not 20 be against Mr..
Penrose rs 10 be for him. The political
machinery that he directs fourshes In dark
ness silence is the support It Graves. A
0evspaper that acqulesCes now in the cleo
tfon Of the ORGANIZATIONS head cannot with
anv power dght against the Organization
itself in the approaching municipal elections
There can DE no neutrality when its methods
are before the electorate. Mr. Penrose must
be defeated. and fl is legitimate and right tr
use the only instrument that is available for
that purpose.
The Evening Ledger is an Independent Re
pendent in this connection mean other thar
a purpose 10 save the party from itself wheI
ccasion demands II cnunotes an intention
support only those party candidates VIII,
worthy. II implies a determination Il
= ect men who have prostituted the party L