Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-31
Pse;fca ;~
Pe~'soqeSo~io
BY the Ex-Committeeman

7 Pennsylvania's Democratic state
A machine, which has been run around
\ the track couple of times lately to
! keep the placeholders in mind of the
fact that it takes money to keep an
organization going in cold weather
as we'll as in the heat of a campaign,
was given jolt yesterday right In
the home of the emocratic national
chairman.
The Harrisburg Democratic AS
sociation, composed of prominent
) Democrats of this city and headed
by Il. K. VanDyke, who is a Demo-
crat in time of storm and sunshine,
adopted resolutions calling for re-
vival of the old-time Embossed
Democratic state conventions. The
action was taken late Saturday in
the form of resolutions which urge
that the Democrats have a conVen-
ton to discuss platforms and the
merits of candidates in advance of
the primary. 1t is pointed out that
the primary act only takes away the
right to make nominations and that
conventions are desirable.
AS the Democratic bosses of Penn
sylvania are to meet on the banks of
the Potomac this week to slate Ma
tional Chairman Vance c. Mccormick
for the gubernatorial nomination for
the folks at home the idea to dis
cuss merits of candidates will not be
popular here.
The VanDyke resolutions were not
given much publicity by the Demo-
cratic machine organs to-day, al
though big Democratic papers like
the Philadelphia Record gave the
subject prominence. At the Demo
cratic windmill the millers refused
to talk. being very busy sacking the
grain that has come in from the
faithful
The resolution as adopted and Mr..
VanDykes' comment are as follows:
Whereas, the uniform primary law
has not abolished the holding of a
state convention, and it is desirable |
that delegates from every county in !
the state should thus assemble in |
order to give expression to the |
wishes of their constituents and
formulate into a party platform the |
fundamental principles on which the
Democratic party stands, as well as
give expression to the prevailing |
views of the voters as to who would |
make the best candidates for state
officers to be elected in the state at
large, and also for the purpose of
gathering the Democrats of the state |
together again in a free, Embossed !
old-time Democratic blowout; there
fore, be it
Resolved, That the Harrisburg
Democratic Association h e a til y |
favors the calling together of such
convention, and urges the Demo
cratic state committee to revive this
necessary Democratic. reform.
Judge McCarrell. of this county, |
has decided in a Philadelphia elec- !
ton case that the uniform primary
law has not in any way abrogated
the holding of state conventions
said Chairman VanDyke, "and those
conventions can still be held and do
everything they formerly did before
the passage of that law, except ac
tually nominate state candidates. 1t
was the opinion of all the members
present at this meeting that, If we
are to maintain real Democratic prin-
ciples, the Democratic state conVer-
ton should be called" i
Mayor +. V. Babcock, of
Pittsburgh. has announced that he |
will name Stephen Stone, son of the |
former Governor, as his city solicit |
tor. The directors will be named |
some time this week, it is believed,
although the new Mayor may wait !
until he takes office.
Jefferson county is real dry |
now. The lawyers did not file any |
applications for licenses on advice of |
the court.
Mrs. ]. o. Miller, head of the |
Woman Suffrage organization, says |
that all the Pennsylvania Congress- |
men will be found behind the woman |
suffrage amendment. She has issued |
a statement in which she intimates |
IL. .r, xxrfNI fha fig
Governor Brumbaugh'S appoint |
ment of a registration commissioner |
to succeed Mayor A. T. Connell, of |
Scranton, is being eagerly awaited |
in that county. There are half a |
dozen candidates and every leader
seems to have n man up his sleeve.
Concerning the dinner to Mayor
Armstrong, in Pittsburgh, the Phila- |
delphia Ledger says it will be sort |
of party council. 1t remarks: "The |
Senator will meet his lieutenants
from several counties in Western
Pennsylvania and learn from Allie |
gheny leaders particularly that they
favor Senator Sproul for the Repub-
lican nomination for Governor
Fayette county may bring a boom
for Republican State Chairman
Crow. The western conferences,
which probably will last several
other state offices and for Congress
men-at-large. NJ. NJ. Garland, at
present Congressman t-large,
probably will run this time from
his home district in Allegheny. This
may be due to the fact that Allie
Sheny leaders want one of their
home allies TO be slated for Secre-
tary of Internal Affairs. Senator
Sproul. a candidate for Governor,
probably will attend the Armstrong
dinner also. The belief among poll
ticians is that both the Ware and
Penrose elements will unite on
Sproul to succeed Governor Brum-
baugh. The Pittsburgh conferences,
many thought, probably will settle
the gubernatorial situation"
Senator Penrose and q number
of prominent Republicans will at
tend the dinner to Mayor Joseph c..
Armstrong just before he retires
from office at Pittsburgh. 1t is ex-
pected that it will have an impor-
tant bearing on the Mayoralty.
Judge Swartz, of Montgomery,
has held that man who voted the
straight Socialist ticket and then in
the Democratic column voted for
justice of the peace for which