Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-04-15
BIG REFORMERS
ATTACK SCOTT
Assail the Philadelphia Con
gressman in Statement:
Beidleman Getting Busy

State political circles were stirred
up to-day by sensational attack
made in a letter sent broadcast over
| the state by men long active in re-
/ form and independent circles in
/ Philadelphia against the candidacy
for the Republican nomination
! for lieutenant governor of Congress
man John r. h. Scott. The letter
I does not suggest any candidate for
second place on the ticket. but does
register great objection to the Phila-
delphia Congressman.
The letter is signed by Francis b.
Reeves, Arthur II. Lea. George d.
Porter. William +. Nicholson. John
Walton, the Rev. Flovd W. Tomkins,
the Rev. Daniel /. McDermott. Will
liam ID. Disston and George Burn
ham Jr.
1t says in part:
Upon the eve of primary cleo
tions to nominate candidates for
various state offices, the undersigned
citizens of Philadelphia, Republicans
in politics but identified with no
factions. appeal to the voters of
Pennsylvania to help avert such a
stigma upon the honor of the state
as is threatened in the candidacy OF
John r. II. Scott for liedtenant gov
ernor.
We have no candidate to suggest
FOR this or any other office in the
state; we have no part in any strug-
gle for factional or selfish control
in the Republican party. Our one
concern in this juncture is that
Pennsylvania, now giving so much
of its manhood and resources to up
hold the moral rights of humanity
and the honor of the nation, shall
not itself be dishonored in the Sec
nd nj ~, h. Nnw, IF1
John r. X. Scotts nomination
and election as lieutenant governor
would stand as a bold challenge to
the voters of Pennsylvania either to
repudiate or 'vindicate' the methods
CT the political machine of which he
is one of the most conspicuous ex-
emplars.
Common decency should have
prevented the evil system in Phila-
delphia from Haunting itself before
the voters of the state, and should
have induced John r. X. Scott to
withdraw as a candidate after he
was entered by his political spon-
sors. Nothing now remains but to
appeal to the manhood of the state
10 protect Pennsylvania S honor by
repudiating Scotts candidacy at the
coming primaries"
The Supreme Court Vacancy
The question whether candidates
for supreme court to succeed the late
Justice W. P. Potter, of Pittsburgh,
must be nominated at the May pri-
mary or whether they must file
nominating petitions in advance of
November election only under the
provisions of the nonpartisan act of
1918 is TO be submitted to the Attor-
ney Generals Department for deci-
sion.
The opinion was expressed to-day
that as the vacancy occurred after
the time for filing petitions for the
May primary that aSpirants must
file petitions after the primary, such
petitions to have the same force as
a nomination and there being no
limit as to number of men who may
be candidates.
1t was also reported here to-day
that Justice Mestrezat has been seri-
ously ill at his home.
Beidleman's Plans
Senator L. E. Beidlenan, who
filed petitions last week to run for
lieutenant governor, left to-day for
Philadelphia and Wednesday will
make a tour of the anthracite re-
gion, visiting Scranton, Hazleton and
Wilkes-Barre. He will then go to
Allentown. The Senator is kept
busy with requests for visits and
speeches.
O'Neil headquarters men are
looking for the McKeesport man to
be here tomorrow. He will make
4 visit to central counties WedneS-
day and spend the weekend in Phila-
delphia and vicinity.
O'Neil men declare that they do
not know whether Robins will be
on the state administration slate or
Mitchell. They do not seem inclined
TO give way to the Aarons, Atherton
and Burks candidates..
Philadelphia registration comes on
Wednesday, as does Pittsburgh and
Scranton, Third-class cities regis
ter on May /.