Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-15


necessity, If the record of Mr. renrose
absolutely forbds support Of him by
respectable newspaper. quite obviously a
decent regard for the welfare OF the state
and nation requires that newspaper to bring
all OF its ntlueuc, to bear to cause his defeat.
He is either Objectionable that the Even
ing Ledger must fight him. or he Is not
Objectionable enough to justify a refusal to
indorse him.
Middle ground for q newspaper in such an
exigency is cowardly. In fact the Evening
Ledger is not only confronted with a para
mount duty, but with splendid opportunity
for service. The independence of its view
point causes it to be observed by the forces
of good government. without respect to
party, in all parts of the Union. Men be-
lieve, and have 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 Penrosesm 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 1t could be inter
preted in but one way. The papers sin
ce,.ity would be questioned.
y Manufacturers believe that Mr Penrose
will be able to write the next tariff bill if
Republcansm is rchabilitated That is an
erroneous view. No party would dare enact
a bill written by Mr.. Penrose a Republican,
majority in Washington would find some
other chairman Tor the Finance Committee
of the Senate. The seniority of Mr.. Penrose
would not count
Pennsylvania manufacturers mlsnterpret
: the signs Of the times quite as sadly as did
the Southern slave holders. The election of
Mr.. Penrosc would hamssring the Repub-
Iican campaign in 1916. With Penroselsm
around the neck Of the party, what chance
would it have in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Ohio in any Of tho 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 a Penrose triumph With light heart
= being convinced that it marked q sure free
trade victory i'm 1916.
The Evening Ledger owes duty TO the
nation. It must corscientiousIy work for the
rehabilitation of Republicanism. That can
only be brought about by the defeat of PEN
rose. Ills elimination Is necessary to purify
the party. to persuade the nation that it is
purified. II is medicine which the true
friends of the Republican party will insist Oh
its taking.
There Is bu- oue position for the Evening
Ledger to take. 1t must declare as the con-
ditions prove, that th.- is moral issue The
economic principles uf Mr. Palmer r cannot
indorse, but his political morality IT, can ap-
plaud. As between q man Of high principle
and another man whose political record .udl-
Gates no principle ar all 1t must stand for
the former. 4 tariff is but one Of many
things on which a Senator votes on other
things Mr. Palmer is sound a political reyo-
luton So great as to give a chance for % new
tariff would be great enough surely To- assure
d majority I'm the Senate without the aid
OF one PENNSYLVANIA vote oliver is st!I
there: and the loss Of one vote which the
defeat of Mr., Penrose would entail, might
readily mean tho gain Of five ten votes
from other States, which otherwise would
not send Republican Senators 20 Washug gtou.
So far as local interest is concerned. lu all
hls years ia Washington, for Pliadriph.a
Alr. Penrose has done practically nothing. The
Delaware has been neglected, the custom house
is a disgrace and the po7JuHi,c is n-,l. bet
ter. The freight Of TN" nation has flowed bv
Philadelphia and ON 10 N,w York. 7. should
have stopped here. u v.u when the Cow
eminent State ana national does as much
for the port has been done for New York.
f1hL Nl4it -'I+r t.-HlE=" fI-Nlbl- taI|t4I5 there
will he no difference. His interests are all
I'm one direction.
The Evening Ledger loyalty proves .te Re
publicauism by frs support OF MI Erim-
baugh. II demonstrates .ts allegiance 20
national Repubucauism and good government
by calling on the voters 10 prove that PEN
rosesm is NOT Republcanlsm. by showing
that his defeat is prerequisite 10 the sue
cess of the party in the nation hy support
ing Mr., Palmer not because but in spite Of
his tariff views.
Advocates of good government can justly
saw II the Evening Ledger is not for us il
is against us, but not 10 be against Mr.
Penrose is 10 be for him. The political
machinery that he directs hourshrs in dark
ness. Silence is the supporJ it Graves A
tion of the Organizations head cannot with
any power fight against the Organization
itself in the approaching municipal elections
There can be no neutrality when It's methods
are before the electorate. Mr. Penrose must
be defeated, and il is legitimate and right to
use the only instrument that is available FOR
that purpose.
The Evening Ledger is an Independent Re
ublican newspaper, What does "Iude-
,ndeut' in this connection mean other than
purpose 10 save the party from itself when
aston demands 1t connotes an intention
upport only those yty candidates who
worthy. Il .WPlieSCa determination to