Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-02-27
TO
AWAIT RESULTS
IN THIS STATE
Hope For Republican Condi-
tons That Will Help Them,
but Will Be Disappointed

I'VE are passing through a most
interesting political era." said an
old-time political leader to-day.
Time was when candidates and
issues were discussed by little cir
Gle and promulgated as the solemn
conclusions of a political organiza-
tion. That day is past and it is in
teresting to observe how the people
themselves create the issues for the
political organizations" he added.
This man had special reference to
the recent conference of the Demo-
Gratis at Philadelphia and declared
that he was amused at the sidestep-
ping of the most important issue of
the campaign-the approval or re-
lection of the proposed constitution
al amendment prohibiting the manu-
facture or sale of alcoholic beverages
in the United States. The wet" ele-
ment in the Democratic household is
restive under the lashing of the
small coterie of men who are striv-
ing to hold the reins of power in the
party and which group was afraid to
proposed amendment at the Phila-
delphia conference.
Much Camouhage
Camoufiaging the primary cam
paign with impressive phrases re-
garding the support of the President
in his war policies has excited a good
deal of political discussion, especially
in view of the fact that the Presi-
dents real war measures have been
made possible through the patriotic
support of the Republicans in the
Senate and House at Washington.
Without this support the administra-
ton would have been hampered in a
most serious manner during the last
year.
President Wilson under the large
power granted him forsthe conduct
of the war can with one stroke of
the pen conserve enormous food
products by wiping out the liquor
traffic for the period of the war. He
has not yet deemed it wise to take
this drastic step, but the increasing
necessity for supplying the Allies
with food may force this action in
the near future. Among those who
observe the trend of events it is the
belief that the whole prohibition
matter may become so obvious and
inevitable as to eliminate it as an
outstanding issue of this years cam
paign.
Candidates 90 Declare
1t is regarded as quite probable
that all of the candidates on the
state and local tickets throughout
Pennsylvania will take such posi-
ton on this question as will serve in
measure to eliminate it as a potent
factor in the campaign. Up to the
present time ]. Denny O'Neil, the
State Highway Commissioner, has
played upon the Prohibition string
almost entirely. but the recent an
nouncement of ex-Representativt
Robert P. Habgood, of Bradford, in
dicates that Mr.. O'Neil is not to have
the whole of the stage in this respect
1t is also intimated that Senator
w. c. Sproul, who has not yet made
a formal declaration as to his can.
didacy for Governor will make g
statement that will be entirely sat.
isfactory to the temperance element
He has been getting about the state
to some extent and his friends say
he is receiving great encouragement
from men of all parties.
Sproul Strong Here
Senator Beidlemen, w. Harr!
| Baker and others identified with thu
| Republican organization of Dauphil
| county are outspoken for Senate
Sproul. They declare that he meet
all the requirements of the situation
| that he is extremely popular through
| out this section of the state; that hi
long service in the Senate and hi
business activities in Central Penn
| sylvania have made him widel,
! known; that he is peculiarly quail
! fed as a businessman to administe
| the affairs of the state whose com
| mercial and industrial activities rep
/ resent a large part of the prosperit
! of the nation, and that his expert
ence in public affairs fit him as fey
men are fitted for the gubernatoria
office.
There is also on every hand a dis
position among Republicans to emu
! late the attitude of the Republical
! National Committee in doing every
thing possible to solidify the part
! for constructive work in this grea
| crisis of the Republic.
Primary Must Decide
/ 1t is demanded on all sides anon
Republicans that the contest be
! tween individuals must close wit
| the primary election in May. Tha
| any effort to prolong party dissen
| ton after that time will be rebuke'
| by the voters in November. 1t i
| conceded that any and all candidate
/ have an absolute right TO enter tn
arena at the open primary, but tha
the results of that primary must b
accepted by all as the verdict of tn
| party.
/ AS to the Democratic situation il
Pennsylvania it is the old waiting
game-and the hope of the leader
of the minority that some mistak
of judgment of the majority may pro
vide an opening for success in No
vember. There is clearly evident
however, a feeling of apprehension il
the minds of the leaders that the Re
/ publicans are about through fight
| ing each other and that hencefortl
the real conflict will be centere,
upon the Democracy. It will not b
| a question of supporting the Gov
ernment, because that issue is not a
stake under present conditions, blu
| will be a square alignment of tn,
two parties which have so oftel
faced each other in the battle of tn,