Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-06-23


the situation in the United States be-
fore the Harrisburg Chamber of
Commerce last week in this language:
Every we'll informed businessman
knows that before this war broke
out we had gathered considerable
downward momentum in the busi-
ness world under the Wilson tariff;
that had 1t not been for the war we
would by this time be fiat on our
Wilson tariff; yet the Wilson ad-
ministration which gave us this
and an IL not the Wilson tariff caused the
acute business troubles of recent
months There never was more
absolutely false doctrine preached.
There is only one way to correct
this condition and that is by the cleo
ton of a Republican President and
a Republican Congress in 1916, and
this is the year in which to lay the
foundations for a party victory next
year.
All over this country in November,
State, county and municipal elections
will be held. Nothing will so en-
courage Republicans nor so confound
the Democracy as sweeping Repub-
1ican victories everywhere. On the
other hand, nothing would make the
Republican task next year more diff
cult than the success of Democratic
campaigns the coming Fall. Whole
sale defeats of local Democratic
tickets would have no other aspect
than that of party reputation on a
national scale. Doubtful Republican
~ lafn a4e Ixy
vide encouragement for the admins
tration leaders.
Nor should Republican success be
difficult of attainment this year. The
country is ripe for it. Men want to
vote the Republican ticket. The
Progressive party is a mere skeleton,
it's members having returned to the
Republican party by hundreds of
thousands. Just one thing is neces-
sary to assure the overwhelming Re-
publican victories so much to be de-
sired. The candidates chosen must
be men of ability and integrity and
without unpopular or improper po-
litical entanglements. They must be
clean and honest. pledged to perform
the duties of the offices to which they
aspire as the people want their pub
lie business conducted. In no other
way can the party be sure of sue
cess next Fall. In no other way
ought 1t to be successful.
The old day of the delegate an6
convention system is past. The
voters now select the candidates di-
rectly. Leadership still may wisely
direct party thought toward desirable
men, but it can no longer easily force
an unpopular ticket of its own choos.
ing on the people; or, having done so
voters do not want.
Open, honest, above-board poIiti.
cal dealing only will win in these days
of the uniform primary and the sec.
ret ballot. This is not the brand ot
politics being played by the Demo.
cratic administration at Washington
and its henchmen throughout the
country. Having attained power
through an unfortunate party split
the Democrats have not learned wis
dom thereby. Instead they hav,
adopted precisely the same tactics tha
once made the Republican party un
popular in some sections; namely
dictation of nominees and the nam
ing of political favorites of part,
bosses for public places. This is tn
rock upon which more than one Ioca
Democratic organization is about t.
split. and it is the rock which tn
Republican party must avoid.
Republican leaders have heav
responsibility on their shoulders q
this time. They must forget all per
sonal feeling, put aside the though
of purely political reward and len
their support to candidates who's
personal and political regulations ar
above reproach and whose quaIifica
tions for the offices they seek are un
questioned.
In this direction lies overwhelmin
victory in November. Any other roa
leads perilously close to the brink G
defeat.
England borrows $4,000. .000, 900. I
this thing continues newspaper pub
fishers will have to widen the colum
rules and buy fonts with extra cinher,