Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-02
Poeit;ca t~
Pe~~o4e0o~ia-
BY the Ex-Committeeman

HonorS in the most sensational con-
test for the speakership of the House
of Representatives known for years
rest with United States Senator Boies
Penrose and his friends. Governor
Brumbaugh and his political advisers
made a vigorous campaign and took
away some of the men counted upon
to vote with the Penrose forces. but
they started too late, and outburSts
of various kinds lost effect by not being
followed up and because of resent
ment aroused. The Penrose organ
ization, which started to name the
Speaker in the May primaries, tri-
umphed over the State administration,
backed by the city administration in
Philadelphia and powerful influences
In Allegheny and other counties. Even
all of the patronage at the Governors
disposal could not overcome the Pen
rose lead.
The contest which started over five
years ago in a dispute over who should
be mayor of Philadelphia has gone
another round and once more the state
has been narrowed up because of a
factional quarrel which interests few
west of the Philadelphia city line. 1t
has broken out regularly and there
were threats made to-day that it would
crop out some more in spite of the
fact that the people of the state voted
on state leadership of the Republican
party in advance of the Chicago con-
vention where the delegates elected
Senator Penrose and in spite of the
decisive nature of the vote on the
speakership last night.
This contest, marked by so MANY
charges of inefficient leadership and by
counter charges of treachery to Re-
publican candidates, will have a big
effect on the gubernatorial election In
1918, toward which the Democrats are
looking so eagerly. Penrose men say
| that Governor Brumbaugh and his DO
litical advisers will not be able to die.
tate the Brumbaugh successor and that
1 the announcement of CONGRESSMAN
John r. X. Scott as n candidate for
Governor has been indefinitely post
poned. The administration men say
that the gubernatorial primaries ot
1918 are a long way off and that If the
Penrose people are ruthless in re.
taliation on the Governor and his ad.
visers they will impair party success
already more or less jeopardized bN
the administrators own people.
General hopes that the Repub.
| lican party could be vaccinated against
recurrence of Philadelphia faction.
ills were expressed throughout the
state to-day.
| The conclusion OF the bitter con.
test for the speakership nomination
was taken very quietly by the crowds
The result was made known In tn,
rotunda and the corridors of the Can.
| itol as soon as ascertained and there
was cheering and considerable rag
ging" of the opponents OF Baldwin
Some celebrations occurred dowr
town, but as a rule things were ouiet
and everyone seemed glad that the
strain was over. Senator Penrose re.
fused to make any comments and the
State administration people had moth.
ing to say.
Mr.. Cox was congratulated on be.
ing q game loser and his supporters
| escorted him to his Headquarters
where a council was held. A number
of Baldwin men gave expression to
their high personal regard for the
South Philadelphian. who had refrain
ed from making any personal assaults