Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-04-20
NO TIME FOR RANTING

~
1 \ Commissioner O'Neil against
Senator Sproul, his leading competi-
tor in the Republican primary for
the gubernatorial nomination, con-
strains US once again to appeal for
more sane attitude on the part
of the political forces in this crisis
Of the nation. From the very gen.
cral approval of recent Telegraph
editorial on the subject of Politics
and Patriotism" we are justified in
believing that the people as a whole
are disposed to resent the bitter
controversies which to-day are in
cidental to the campaign in Penn
sylvania. Partisan and factional
considerations are having mighty
little weight with the average citi-
zen.
Mr.. O'Neil charges Senator Sproul
with being afraid to go on the
stump" and INDUCES in a fusil-
lade of invective wholly foreign to
a contest involving the highest office
in the state and which should be
conducted with dignity. There is
likely to follow a widespread protest
among Republicans and citizens
generally who oppose political meth
eds at variance with the fitness of
things in official and political ac-
tivities.
This latest outbreak of the State
Highway Commissioner is not likely
to strengthen his cause among the
people. He is making his appeal
on a great issue and the lack of
poise which is too often manifest
ir his public statements is bound
to shake public confidence in his
qualifications for the office of gov
ernor. Heroics and charges of in
sincerity against his chief competitor
will do Mr.. O'Neil no good and SEN
ator Sproul no harm, especially if
the latter pursues his policy of dig
rified silence with respect to these.
occasional ill-tempered outbursts of
the Highway Commissioner.
What Mr.. O'Neil may think of
Senator Sproul or Senator Sproul
think of Mr.. O'Neil is of very little
Importance. What the people are
particularly anxious to know is.
which of the several candidates is
best qualified by experience and
training for the executive office on
Capitol Hill. Republican voters are
not going to be stampeded into the
support of any candidate through
assaults upon others seeking the
nomination. It were better for all
candidates to keep in mind con-
stantly that the voters are largely
occupied with the great issues of
the war and the vital things which
have to do with the titanic struggle
that now confronts the nation. and
the world, rather than with personal
ambitions or petty resentments.
Mr.. O'Neil has many admirable
personal qualities, but his principal
weakness seems to be a disposition
to engage in rough-and-tumble en-
counters with all who happen to
differ with him. Just now self
control and a conservative attitude
on all public questions are the
things which will commend those
seeking public office to the people.
If it is not possible for the Re-
publicans of Pennsylvania to sub
merge their factional differences for
the welfare of the party as a whole.
then it may be reasonably demanded
of all candidates that they observe
dignified course in the prosecution
of their respective campaigns. We
suspect that in the last ANALYSIS the
voters will determine for themselves
without the Illuminating propaganda
of the candidates who of those in
the field are the better equipped for
public service.
one thing is certain, the people
are not going to be impressed or
influenced by superheated denuncia-
ton of one candidate by another
nor by the appeals of those who place
factional or party triumph above
| the graYer and mora ,,i4nl .