Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-29
PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY. OCTOBER 90, 1o14
Boies Penrose

A GAlNST Boies Penrose the Indictment
IA has been drawn. No technicalities OBJ
scure it. Each charge is plain, each accusa-
tion written down. Many of his delinquen-
cies have been proved in the turmoil Of his
doings. They are part and parcel of the his
tory of Pennsylvania and the United States.
No words can blot them out, no sophistry
conceal them
He has been in the United states Senate
for II years. For much Of that time he has
been sole master of the Republican Organiza-
tion in this state, and when he was not mas
ter he was twin Caesar in the direction of
the machine. Not by one scandal and not
by two but by a long succession of Infamous
rapings of the public fisc and base betrayals
of the public interest the machine In that
time has been distinguished. In every cam
paign It has had to meet the charge of some
new graft, some new robbery OF funds, some
novel betrayal of the state in the interest Of
Organization satellites, some treason to the
masses some hold-up Of corporations, The
Organization has been in all that time al
explaining, always apoogizing, always deny
ing: and in some few cases its instruments
have been in Jail or are their way there.
In the State this leadership OF Penrose
led invincible Republcanism into trap after
trap, until finally the party was overwhelmed
In 1912 1t has driven thousands upon thou
sands Of good protectionists into utter repu-
diation of the party. 1t has throttled good
government, wrecked Republican progress
and devitalized by corruption the inspired
creature into which Lincoln and a long
cession Of great patriots breathed the breath
Of life. Under the leadership OF Penrose the
party has lost even its identity, The things
he has made it seem TO stand FOR are de-
nominated not now Republicanism, but Pen
roseism.
Just as devastating has been his touch in
the nation. Under the Republican tariffs
which he had little say in making, the coun-
try thrived and was content. As the infu-
ence of Penrose increased in Washington the
revolt against the party increased. His
subtle hand bred mischief. His cunning Law
ished itself at last in a final desperate
itself felt in the Aldrich bill. Such schedules
as appeared to be indefensible have never
been disassociated from Penrose. 30 wide
spread was the feeling that he had betrayed
the best interests of his party that not one
third OF its membership today would acqui-
esce in his manipulation Of new tariff bill
were the party in control in Washington.
His Republican associates would be the first
TO deny him the Craftsmanship Of the Finance
Committee. His boast that he would inherit
It is bon mot in the clubs There will be
protective tariff, but never Penrose tartn.
Between the two there is great gulf. and
II is Penrose who stands as the one great
barrier against the quick return to pure and
honorable protection.
Into the wilderness Of defeat he has LED
Republicanism in State and nation He is
no guide now TO point the way out. Rather
let him perish and his creaking machine dis
integrate. Let the party save itself. as Il
can do and not rely on the promises OF this
man to do what he cannot do. Let him be
cast aside, repudistsd, stricken down. over
whelmed BY one great and hnal catastrophe.
Let RepublIcanism be freed OF him and OF
his name. Let it be relieved Of his subter-
fuges, his subterranean devices, his mex
haustible demands for more and more funds
with which to feed his more and more In
satiate machine Let him be thrust from
the shoulders of the party; let his grip be
broken from its neck; let It breathe pure air
once more that, invigorated and restored, It
may again pick up the fragments OF govern
ment and begin anew the triumphant guar
dianship under which in former times the
nation was rescued from dissolution and
lifted out OF the morsss OF despair to the
mountain tops Of ineomparabls achievement
and prosperity.