Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-25
O'NEIL FORMALLY
OUT FOR GOVERNOR
"S{nd Offs" From Friends
launch Candidacy at Din
ner in Pittsburgh
HE URGES PROHIBITION
Attacks Penrose, Accepts Challenge
to Fight and Says "T
Stand Ready"
PITTSBURGH. Jan. 25.


TO the accompaniment Of "send-offs'
from Governor Brumbaugh aad Attorney
General Brown. J. Denny O'Neil. Of
McI<eesport. state Highway Commits
sion, formally launched his campaign
FOR the Republican nomination for Gov
ernor at a testimonial dinner in his
honor, mostly "homc friends" affair, in
the William Penn Hotel here last night
In his own speech laying down the
lines on which he will conduct his cam
rsjEn Mr.. O'Neil declared for the pro-
hibnion and suffrage Federal amend
ruents and echoing his mentor. the Cow
ernor. against the leadership Of Senator
Penrose.
BRUMBACGHS LETTER
IN the course Of his letter Governor
Brumbaugh slid:
Il have known Mr.. ONeil Tor years
and, have confidently assigned to him
large public affairs. In every case he
has made good in commanding way.
1t IL a comfort to work with him and
an insciration to counsel with him. lie
never wavers. True to the highest
ideals of public service. he goes screueiy
ahead and does his duty in a direct
buslnesslike manner.
1 also prize MS SteftluE character as
q man. lie wisely senses the moral side
of public service and his past is guar
antee Of future steadfast effort TO make
Pennsylvania clean and wholesome. Vie
Is an evangel OF righteousness. cru
sader against corrupt. sordld. selfish and
arrogant management Of the peoples
business. lie is the kind of man to
whom the people may confidently turn
and as confidently follow.
This is no timo 10 mt forward men
OF uncertain. indefinite and Checkered
careers. IT is no time for men with a
putrid political past TO masquerade in
the ,garb Of reform that they may win
Office and again defraud the people II
is emphatically the day OF moral re-
form and of support Of men of the heroic
inolp OF J. Denny O'Nei. I am proud
Of his record and willingly join his many
friends in wishing him greater honor.
Commissioner ONeil was the last
speaker Of the evening. Referring 10 his
candidacy for Governor. he said in part
For a quarter OF a century I have
been more or less active In politics and
my career in politics has been somewhat
stormy. I have made mistakes. but |
always tried TO do the right as I saw
the right. I have ;lways been imbued
with the idea that It is better to stand
for principle and lose rather than q
compromise with evil and win.
CALLS PENRosE PRIME MINISTER
This State has been dominated ant
controlled for many years by q corrupt
political machine. formed by 80 unhoiy
alliance OF corrupt politics. special in,
toreBts' and booze Senator Penrost
has been Prime Minister with the eN.
Ceptlon OF few wears he and his ma.
chine have been absolute at Harrisburg
Through the control % the Senate he has
been able to thwsrt the Will of the
people
Il had hoped that some more abb,
man would come forward who was will
ing to make the battle for the people
but iit seems. as though fate has decreet
Lat must make the fight. Last weel
Pittsburgh. Penrose assembled co
horts of the machine and sounded IT,,
batuecry. lie boldly announced there
was no sentiment in Pennsylvania fol-
national prohibition. woman suffrage
and other measures concerning the hap
Diness and welfare Of the people. III
has a very low estimate Of the man
hood of this State. lie has issued
challenge. I accept it, | stand read.
10 fight.
Il stand four-square upon the grea
moral and economic problems of tn
day, am ready for national proEibi
tion and all other measures that vii
Improve living conditions, make hap
pier homes and give our boys and girl
a better chance TO make good"
In his address Attorney Genera
Brown said:
''rhe present progressive administra
tion will not be succeeded by that o
some reactionary attempting 10 rende
negligible by secret hostility or to und
by open effort what has been done unde
its guidance TO tighten the load tina
labor bears--to safeguard the child an
woman worker. and TO compensate tn
wage-earner injured in the line Of hi
duty"