Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-06-20
SATURDAY EVENING,

sistency and sincerity.
Just now there is considerable hull
labaloo about what is to be done in
the framing of platform for the Re-
publican party in this State. The
whole matter has been referred to a
committee with sufficient experience
in public life to give due consideration
to the matters and things which should
be covered in formal party declara-
tion. But this committee Is now seek
ing advice as to whether Its conclu-
sions on the various issues of the day
should be promulgated early in July
or late in August. There ought to be
little doubt on this point. While 1t
makes comparatively little difference
whether 1t is sent forth on its mis-
sion at one time or another, so far
as the average voter Is concerned, any
apparent hesitation on the part of
Republican leaders to give the pubic
the I atform which they are incubat-
ing will probably be grasped by the
opposition and used as an evidence OF
party indecision and fear to meet the
alleged issues of the campaign.
OF course, in the present hysterical
tumble Of what some of the people
believe to be important questions, 1t is
an easy matter to color party action
to suit the vision of those who would
twist public statements and interpret
the language of platforms to meet their
own views. 1t still remains, however,
going to issue as concrete expression
of party principles might just as well
go out without unnecessary delay.
Already most unfair and unrea-
sonable position has been taken by one
of the officials Of the State Anti
Saloon League. He declares that 1t Is
unsafe to elect DR.. Brumbaugh gov
ernor on the same ticket with Mayor
Frank McClain, of Lancaster, who as
lieutenant-governor and president ex-
officio' of the State Senate might be
to the measure which the
league would support; that while I'VE
believe and have utmost confidence
in DIR. Brumbaugh as a man" and be
lieve him to be in hearty sympathy
with that (local option) movement and
to be honestly in favor of 1t so far as
his personal influence Is concerned,
yet il McClain should be elected lieu
on the same ticket
with DIR. Brumbaugh the local option
cause would suffer In short, DR..
should be defeated be-
cause the people in an open primary
nominated Mayor McClain on the
same ticket.
If the gentlemen who are conduct
ing the fight for local option are as
illogical and unfair in all their propa-
then it would seem to be about time
for the real friends of local option to
whether little common
sense should not be injected into those
at the head of the league.
1t is well, perhaps, for his own
reputation that the responsible Off
cial of the Anti-Saloon League con-
cludes that it is too early to express
any Interchangeable opinion" Might it
not have been better for the cause
he represents and which this newspa-
per favors, for the official in question
to have reserved his comment, espe-
cially as he says he believes "in Dr.
Brumbaugh's integrity" and who rep
resents, as he admits, "the highest
type of manhood and citizenship in
this Commonwealth" He has not
heard even rumor of thing against
his character, honesty and integrity.
Nor does the official of the league who
has INDUCED in this remarkable bit of
question the honesty"
Of DR.. Brumbaugh's statement that
'he would use every honest effort to
secure the passage of a county option
bill," but believes him to be in hearty
with that movement and to
be honestly in favor of it so far as
his personal Influence is concerned"
Having taken the absurd position
that DR.. Brumbaugh is not safe be-
cause certain other candidates have
been nominated on the same ticket
and that The thing to do is for the
Democratic and Washington parties to
enter into fusion scheme, the lame
conclusion is reached by the league
official that ut is too early to express
any Interchangeable opinion"
1t ought to be apparent to our local
option friends that all the nominees
for governor, including DIR. Brum-
baugh, having declared in favor of the
to submit the whole mat
ter to the people, it is their business to
elect Senate and House which will
pass the bill. instead of alternating
those who advocate it's passage by un-
fair and covert attacks upon the Re-
publican party. This is not a parti-
san question and ought not to be made
one at this late day.
THE STOUGH CAMPAIGN
THE coming visit of Evangelist