The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-10
The Figures Of q Political Prophet
Somewhat Rigidly Examined.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Str: one
OF your political correspondents In Phila-
delphia seems TO be very fond OF juggling
with figures. II is an interesting pastime,
but unfortunately your correspondents
repertoire IL 80 limited as TO be some
what tiresome His figures are nearly
always the same They are iterated and
reiterated according to his peculiar inter-
probation OF them with such persistence
as to give the idea that he IL merely re-
writing the same story from week to
week.
In THE SuN of June he repeats these
figures again in an effort to show that the
Republican party has been steadily losing
caste and strength In Pennsylvania since
Senator Penrose became prominently
identified with IT,
Let me show his entire unfairness BY
quoting verbatim his recapitulatlon OF
these figures:
Republican vote In Pennsylvania under
Quay's leadership. .................s4o $40. Gao
Republican vote In 1919 under leader.
ship OF Penrose, ............. sos
Loss In Republican vote during eight
years OF Penrosc ,..,....,.,,,..,..561 ,5ii
As you will observe by consulting the
rest OF your correspondents table the
s40.6i9 votes were cast for Roosevelt In
1904. Your correspondent unblushingly
attributes them to Senator Quay.
Senator Quay died on May -. 1904. six
months before the Presidential election.
and even prior to the convention which
nominated Theodore Roosevelt. immedi-
ately upon the death Of senator Quay
Senator Penrose by common consent ac-
ceded TO the leadership OF his party in
Pennsylvania. He had been the actual
leader for "A long time before Mr.. Quay
died since the health OF the Beaver
county statesman for at least two years
preceding his death was such as to prevent
4. IL. f.t.. ,t.... 81
politics. Senator Penrose was at that
time chairman OF the Republican State
committee and had been chairman of II
for more than year. Every particle OF
the work done for Roosevelt In this State
was done by Mr.. Penrose. and the half
million majority received by the Republ-
can Presidential candidate here in 1904
was no more TO be attributed to Senator
Quay than II was to Simon Cameron.
As evidence OF that fact let me quote
a letter OF acknowledgment sent by Presi-
dent Roosevelt h!mselT$b Senator Penrose
My DEAR SENATOR PESHosr: Upon my word.
OF all phenomenal returns. the Pennsylvania
| returns are most phenomenal congratu.
late and cordially thank you. Faithfully
yours. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
In view OF this Il is quite clear that the
figures upon which your correspondent
lays such great stress and which he mis-
represents with 90 little scruple are worth
Just nothing at all.
As for the Progressive vote in Penn
sylvania two years ago. II would be M UNI
fair TO lay that at the door OF Senator
Penrose as II would be to assert that Sen
ator Root was responsible for the loss OF
New York state in 1912 You know OF
| course. that only two states In the Union,
Vermont and Utah. remained In the Re-
publican column. and to assume on the
strength OF that temporary alteration
| either that Republican principles are dead
in Pennsylvania or that Senator Penrose
estranged the voters OF his party In TO
convict THE Sun OF an unwlllngness to
recognize the facts,
To all unprecedented observers there
must be very much more Significance In
| the statement that Senator Penrose re-
cel''ed. at a contested State primary cleo
ton, within 5S.si4 as many Republican
votes as Mr. Taft got at the Presidential
election In 1912. He received almost
twice as many votes as his successful
Democratic rival was able to get with
the backing and active assistance OF the
Administration at Washington. He re.
ceived twice as many votes as his Re-
publican rival and he received five and
one-half times more votes than his WASH
| ington party rival clifford Pinchot
We are indebted to your correspondent
however, for having contributed indl-
rectly 10 the great popular wave which
IL flooding this state from end 20 end
with Penrose sentiment. for by his mis-
representations he has helped to stir the
friends OF senator Penrose TO action and
to All them with n determination 20 make
the truth known In regard TO the integ.
rity, honesty, ability. practical knowledge,
/ experience and efficiency OF the man who
has served the Keystone State In the up
per branch OF Congress for nearly eigh-
teen years. JOSEPH II. GRUMPY.
BRISTOL. Pa. June 8.