Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-15
WHAT'S HE GOING TO Dor

baugh emerged from lne Cotupai o''NV
obscurity into which varelsm has
plunged him long enough TO announce
that he had in view a legislative program
so progressive in character that It would
assure the dominance Of the Republican
party in Pennsylvania for decades to
come.
Since that time the EVENING LEDGER |
has been endeavoring TO discover the ,
elements Of that program, or TO obtain |
from the Governor something definite as
a clincher to his proposal. But the Gov.
ernor has been positively clammish. He |
will say nothing. He is not ready to |
take the people into his confidence. He |
prefers to walt a policy which has been |
popular in our diplomacy, although II !
has not distinguished the Democratic
Administration in Washington in the
prosecution OF its domestic program of
legislation.
We surmise that the Governor under
stands fully that no progressive legls.
lation is ever enacted until the people
have been educated to an understanding
Of the principles involved and a definite
| public sentiment in It's favor has been
won. To wait until the Legislature con-
venes and then go before It with recon-
uendations for forward-loolSing enact
ments is as sure a way of accomplishing
nothing as ever was conceived.
with last Tuesdays voting fresh In
the minds Of the people, with the thrill
of the Vests independence and houting
of party yet vibrant, what ripper moment
could be found for presenting to Penn
sylvania a program Of progress? The
people are eager for 1t. They are eager
for leadership that has daring behind
1t, that is not concocted in secret confer.
ences, that depends for success on no
bosses because 1t is inherently so strong
that it sweeps itself to triumph.
Doubtless the Governor has heard
mention Of some of the eminent pull
backs and political adventures who
have been stung with the ambition to
succeed him. 1t is almost a joke to
read the list. This State has been fooled
too often; It is not going to be fooled
again. But Mr.. Brumbaugh can knock
the aspirations of these handshakers into
kingdom come by dedicating his party to
| in rryhic aa 1pndprg
would be as much out of place an
American in Mexico. Will he actually do
it? Or have the Wares planned some sort
Of fake progress which he is to father,
to be used merely as a means to drive
Penrose into the morass? We have been
deluged by sophstry and excuses, but
the fruits OF the great Brumbaugh vic
tory, for which this newspaper in COM
mon with many others earnestly labored,
have been for the most part, up to this
time, merely scandal and buncombe.
Some questions are pertinent.
VIII he fight for a revision Of the in
surance laws, so that such scandalous
conditions as have been revealed in the
affairs of the Pension Mutual Life In
surance Company may never again
exist?
viii he demand that the toll roads be
made free in this debtless State? There
is an issue big enough in itself to give
herculean aspect to the right leader.
VIII the Governor move to free Phila-
delphia from the incubus of the noxious
Magistrates who for so long have dis
graced the city? VIII he do anything to
curb the drug evil and provide a place
of treatment for victims?
VIII he urge real home rule for Phila.
delphia, cut the chains that burden the
. municipality and enable it to get air into
it's lungs?
What will he do for the Common.
wealth's great port, what for the offer
t ing of a suffrage amendment anew, what
| for local option, and what TO end forever
the shameless abuse known as dual of,
fce-holdng. which is an evil of porten.
tous menace and constant nourish'
, ment OF bad government?
The people want a chance to night by
your side. Governor Brumbaugh, II you
have some Of these things in mind. They
want chance to buttress your courage
! with their support If you will devote
yourself in fact TO progressive measures
, But in secret government and legislation
, they have no faith. They wonder why
, you are holding back. They want to
know why you do not speak right out In
meeting. tell your plans and hopes. give
, them an opportunity to help you. They
' wonder II by some misadventure you
{ are confusing a Ware program with q
|