Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-02-01
Circulation Every or
Evening Yesterday l O4N q
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY ], 1919.
Taft; or Governor Sproul.

William C. Sproul, who is now governor
OF PENNSYLVANIA, is said to have his face
turned toward Washington, y. c., and
has given much thought and work 70
satisfy longing TO occupy the White
House. 1t is long step from associated
leadership III the most corrupt political
organization of which any record exists
that Of the Republican party of Penn
svlvania--to the head of party that will
have been in control of the government
AL but sixteen of the more than sixty
wears since the close OF the Civil War,
but things that seemed far less possible
have come TO pass IN the last half century
OF the political history of our country.
1t present it would seem that Governor
Snruul's chances TO become the Presi-
dental nominee Of the Republican party
arc vastly more promising than were
those of Woodrow Wilson two years be-
fore he was named by the Democrats.
There does not seem TO be man IN sight
IN the whole Republican party who at this
chance of being chosen as standard
bearer Of the party, since the death of
Colonel Roosevelt, unless it be former
President William Howard Taft.
The new Pennsylvania governor may,
himself, largely decide whether or not
be will be considered by his party SIS a
favorable candidate for Presidential hon
oe. II he can wrest Pennsylvania and
Philadelphia from the grip OF the political
bandits who have had a stranglehold on
the great Commonwealth almost since
Simon Cameron first bought a seat in the
United States Senate, Governor Sprouts
chances for this most coveted political
prize will be far greater than those Of
other men in the party possibly except
ing Mr. Taft.
The present governor Of Pennsylvania
has had wide experience with ''rotten"
politics, and has been the beneficiary
thereof; and he, too, has worked hand in
glove, in close communion, with the men
in bis own party who have used the great
State and its resources for their own en-
richment He is, therefore, well informed
rs to where the corruption IN his State
IS entrenched. and knowing the personnel
OF the political crooks, he IS in position
10 reduce them. as Grover Cleveland
would say, TO a condition Of 'inocuous
desuetude.
In this direction Governor Sproul has
made seemingly good getaway. IN his
eampaign he had the courage to pledge
the ratification OF the Prohibition amend
rnent 10 the Federal Constitution, when
his own home boss" in Chester and
Delaware county stood committed to
licensed sale of Intoxicating liquor. OF
far greater import IN the same way was
the fact that Pennsylvania was previously
committed TO the beer and liquor business.
Governor Sproul has had ample pre-
cedent to instruct and inform him that
the man in political position who has
the ability and skill-and most Of al,
honesty-to clean his own party stables
tdll1lDt DN 4ioli4 SphtS up
higher. One may cite the case of Grover
Cleveland, who, first Of all, was good
sheriff of Erie county, y. Y; then good
mayor Of Buffalo; next great governor
Of New York, and eventually the greatest
President of the United States from the
time OF Lincoln.
Since the death of MFR. Roosevelt, the
only Republican in public life today that
would seem to be in sight Of the White
House is ex-President Taft With good
administration Of his office TO back him,
Governor Sproul would be on all-fous
uith the best that the Republican party
could offer for President in the national
campaign Of 1920.
Pennsylvania, although a great State,
has had only one Pre- ident Of the United
States, James Buchanan. And although
for the past two decades the greatest
Republican State in the country, she has
never had candicate for the Republican
Presidential nomination who could com.
mand respectable following IL a Re
publican National Convention. Nex1
year, therefore, may be the States COLDER
opportunity In Governor Sproui