Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-09-18
CAMPAIGN METHODS

newspapers are united in stall
wart support of the party's
standard bearer in this campaign.
In a recent issue the Washington
(Pa.) Observer discusses at some
length What Republicanism Means
in Pennsylvania" dwelling upon the
constructive policies of the party
Special emphasis was given a recent
statement by United States Senator
Borah regarding the listlessness
among American voters, citing the
indifference of political leaders fire.
quently TO the great issues which
concern the people.
In the opinion of the Observer,
if we are to maintain our political
parties as real instruments of good
government in this country I'VE must
have the principles of our parties
stated more frequently not only by
our candidates for office. but by our
political leaders"
Too much emphasis has been plac-
ed by political organizations, in the
view of our Washington contempo-
rary, on that sort of organization
which must, year after year, be
maintained by the expenditure of
money and the dealing out of politi-
cal Jobs. Illustrating this point, at
tention is called to the arousing of
the people to the Importance of war
activities and the fact that because
of their widespread interest under
splendid leadership the response is
general and satisfactory. IN other
words, results are obtained through
the enthusiasm that comes from di-
rect personal interest. Similar inter
est, the Observer argues, could easily
be aroused by the discussion of the
principles OF government which so
largely and vitality affect the people.
We quote ircm the Observer as fol-
lows:
If our political campaigns were
characterized by proposed con-
structive programs and undoubted
initiative in policies and plans the
voters would more enthusiastic-
ally respond and there would be
far more faith in their own par
ties.
Fortunately for the Republican
party in Pennsylvania this year
the campaign leaders have the op-
portunity to go before the voters
with a candidate for Governor in
William c. Sproul, who not only
has a constructive program, but
who has the initiative, the intelli-
gence and the influence to carry
out that program.
Not for a generation, perhaps
longer, have the voters of the Re-
publican party had presented to
them for consideration in their
primaries a more statesmanlike.
constructive program than that
on which Senator Sproul was
nominated for Governor. That
program stands to-day as the pro-
gram of the Republican party be-
cause it was endorsed by the rank
and file through their selecting
the candidate who prepared it.
If the Republican party in this
State goes before the voters on
that program and through a cam
cation makes it widely known,
Senator Sproul will not only be
elected by one of the largest plu-
ralities ever given any candidate
for Governor in this State, but it
will greatly strengthen the party
as an effective political organiZa-
tion in the future and give it
commanding position for the
larger contest in the Presiden-
tial year. 1920.
Senator Sprouts outspoken decla-
rations in support of certain fixed
principles of the Republican party,
his pronounced stand for the prohi-
bition amendment and his large ex-
perience as a legislator have given
him such pre-eminence over all other
candidates for the gubernatorial
office that his election in November
is so absolutely certain that he can
we'll afford to discuss from time to
time during the campaign, as he has
already done. the constructive work
which will engage his attention when
he comes to Harrisburg next Janu-
ary.
Southern statesmen at Washing
ton are very much out of joint be-
cause of proposition that there shall
be study of the cotton situation
with view to fixing a basic price
for that product. Notwithstanding
these same statesmen voted for S2.25
wheat, they are uproariously indig-