Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-11

I sheriff He was soon to taste the bitterness
that comes to those who are loyal to one
side in factional fight He fought Crow and
stood up for Martin, and was rewarded by
being promptly removed from office when
Crow won his contest.
Those who stood with Martin in those days
had to take hard blows, but Knight has never
regretted his friendship for that leader. He
fought on with Martin, as he expresses It,
when Martin and he were the last two men
fighting for their cause in the city Appoint
ed license clerk of the Court of Quarter Ses-
sions in 1897, he held that office until again
he was removed by the return of the enemies
of Dave Martin to power
1t was then that Knight gave his allie
glance to the man who was considered the
reformer of his day, Peter F. Rothermel
There was no question about Rothermel's
honesty and fitness for the office of District
Attorney. He had been fearless in that office
and so upright that the Quay-Durham- Ash
bridge-Lane machine was through with him.
Rothermels opponent was John Weaver
The Union party had the instability that Is
characteristic of third parties in Pennsylva-
mia. Knight remained a member Of it. It
soon became evident that the Republicans
and Democrats, who made up its member
ship We're coming to a parting of the ways
over the nomination of a gubernatorial can
didate. Pattison, who had twice been elected
Governor, wanted TO break away from the
Guney element in the Democratic party
Knight had thought well of Pattison, but he
declares that the former Governor held him
self open to the Guffey people while stilI
working with the Union party.
Pattison took the Democratic nomination
Pennypaeker won the Republican nomination.
Pattison had estranged many by his sup
port of William Jennings Bryan. Judge PEN
nypacker, personally, was a type of Repub
lican whom honest men could support The
result was that the issue was a straight fight
between Republican and Democrat, which
IN PENNSYLVANIA means a Republican victory
on a national alignment
Would the independent Republicans vote
for Pattison or for Pennypacker? This was
the question that was left to the Union party
convention TO answer Knight carried the
convention for Pennypacker.
on March l, 1903, Knight was apnointad
by President Roosevelt United States shin
ping Commissioner OF the Port Of PhiladeI-
phia. He held that office until August / 1aO7
In this work he came In contact with The
activities Of the seamen's Union, which he
FOUND was taxing its members exorbitant
sums Tor its services in obtaining tobs for
them. He fought this practice and his friends
declare he sought TO obtain fair labor condi-
lions Tor the mueh-abused seafaring men.
However, his work as Shipping Commis-
sioner did not satisfy the City party and the
ciyil Service Reform Association. An inves-
tigation followed and 1t was testified bv a
Clty party detective that knight was not in
MS once on the Monday before election day
His resignation was demanded on the score
OF undue political activity. According to the
testimony knight virtually refused to obey
the civil service rules
Civil Service "a Fraud"
IF Secretary Taft can go through tbs
country taking part in the discussion Of pou-
tics he said Il can see no harm IN nv taE-
ing humble part in the politics OF Pbiladsl.
phia. The quicker the country learns tbat
elsii service is fraud the better" He adde's
that he dehed any one to ma any fault win
the conduct OF his ONCE
MT Knight shortly after this was an
pointed Assistant Director OF PUBIC Wa,i,s