Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-09-10
Psest;c4 IL
Pe~~a4eSo~io
BY the Ex-Committeeman

The energetic manner in which the
Republican state committee is pre-
pairing the fall campaign and the
steps being taken to insure the elec-
ton of Republican congressman and
legislators have caused many repre-
sentative Democrats to demand that
the leaders of the contending factions
of the state Democracy get together
and cease from troubling the rest of
the party with their schemes for con-
| troll. There is about as much chance
of the factions reaching any agree
ment as there is of Judge Eugene G.
| Ronniwell retiring from the ticket as
nominee for governor.
The condition has so alarmed many
of the Democratic candidates for
| Congress and legislative seats that
they are discussing plans for candi-
dates for meetings to demand that
the machine be oiled up and put In
| charge of new engineers. 4 meeting
of Democratic congressman whose
seats are threatened by the row is to
be held in Washington before the end
of the week tc demand that some
thing other than the animosities of
| National Chairman Vance c. McCor-
mick and National Committeeman A.
Mitchell Palmer shall occupy the at
tention of the party in Pennsylvania.
Similarly legislative candidates are
trying to arrange meetings, feeling
| their own welfare is more important
| than those who boss the delegn-
ton of the national convention in
1920.
The plans of the Republican
state organization are to elect every
Republican congressman, state sem
ator and representative possible in
Pennsylvania and the fullest advan-
tage will be taken of the Democratic
row. Senator William c. Sproul will
also work to pile up huge majority
so that the effect of the election in
| the Democratic national chairman's
own state will be noticeable.
The Philadelphia Evening Bull
letin ventures the prediction that
Judge Bonniwell will not be here for
the state committee meeting on Sat-
urday and other newspapers have the
same idea. The Philadelphia Record
gives much attention to the walls of
the Democratic Congressional candi-
dates that their places are in danger.
Judge Bonniwell spent yesterday
working on his answer to Palmer's
charges. He declared his response
will be comprehensive and that every
accusation made by the national
committeeman would be answered
fully. Names of prominent Pennsyl-
Vanians and dates will be given, it
is declared, to prove that Palmer
misrepresented facts when he be-
trayed his party before the state
committee. 1t is expected that Judge
BonniwelPs answer will be made
public within the next few days.
The Philadelphia Inquirer to-day
says: Politics may be adjourned
somewhere, but certainly not in
Pennsylvania. Within forty eight
hours after A. Mitchell Palmer, DEM
ocratic national committeeman and
federal officeholder, alien property
custodian, had repudiated the Demo-
cratic nominee for Governor Judge
Bonniwell, the Presidents AK swung
and off went the official head of Jo-
seph Howley, of Pittsburgh, United
States marshal for the western dis
trict of Pennsylvania, who had the
temerity to assume the leadership OF
the Bonniwell forces in Allegheny
county. Howley, like Bonniwell, is a
Democrat of the fighting school, and
Palmer is bound to hear from him
in due time. His job went to Editor
John f. Short, of the Clearfield Re-
publican, whose journalistic attacks
upon Bonniwell, who he clasSed as
n Penrose Democrat and an adjunct
of the Republican organization, were
most pleasing to the reorganization
leadership of the state Democracy"
People at the Capitol are watch
ing with interest the outcome of the
Investigation into the Lancaster
rt.ieA Tho 90
Public Charities went into the sub
ject some time ago and urged bet
terments, but nothing seems to have
come of it. Now the grand jury has
taken hold.
Action of Patrick McLane in
quitting his job as a railroad man
rather than retire as Democratic
nominee for congress in the Lacka-
wanna district was much COM
mented upon at the Capitol. The
nominee says that he has a good
chance, but friends of Congressman
Farr says he is dreaming.
Lawrence H. Rupp, the new
Democratic state chairman, will not
be able to come here before Friday,
the day before the meeting of the
state committee to take action on
the Palmer charges. but he has as
daily communication with Secre-
tary Warren VanDyke regarding de-
tails of the meeting, although any
planning of a campaign will not be
considered until after the state COM
mittee meets.
People about the Democratic state
headquarters expect that the state
committee will adopt a platform.
Mr.. Rupp has polished up he docu-
ment prepared by the sub-comnit-
tee in Philadelphia and. will bring
! it here Friday. National Commit
teeman A. Mitchell Palmer will be
here on Friday and Will, t is stated,
be prepared to back up his charges.
Nothing is known about headquar-
ters of what the Bonniwell attitude
will be. but even If the judge does
not come here, it is believed that he
will not want for supporters in the
meeting. The Bonniwell answer will
be the first thing for the r1eeting
and when the smoke over that
clears away a platform will be
adopted.
The executive committee will meet
after the state committee to ill
vacancies and then arrangements for
| the meeting of leaders to plan the
campaign will be made
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