The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-02-21
LET PERSONALITIES CEASE

LET PERSONALITIES CEASE.
Washington, Feb. l4-Thc Republi
can Publicity association, through its
president, Hon. Jonathan Bourne. Jr,.
today gave out the following state
ment from its Washington head
quarters:
Mr.. Pinchot's public demand that
Senator Penrose decline the chair
manship of the committee on finance
when the Republicans resume control
of the senate after the 4th of March,
inferentially comedies that under all
senate precedents Mr.. Penrose is en-
titled to the position, and, unwitting-
| ly, 1t is a reflection not so much on
Mr.: Penrose as upon the integrity and
ability of the senate itself, particularly
the Republicans senator's, and a still
greater reflection upon the patriotism
and intelligence of the electorate of
the great state of Penns ylvania-the
second state in the Union in popula-
ton and wealth.
There is no question as to Senator
Penrose's ability. In 1881 he grad
uated from Harvard near the head Of
his class. He studied law with Wayne
MacVeagh and after admission to the
bar practiced in his home city. His
neighbors elected him to the Pennsyl-
vania house of representatives and to
years, after which the legislature
elected him to the United States SEN
ate for three terms of six years each
and every time he was the choice of
majority of the legislature before any
party caucus was held In 1914 he
was reelected by the people by
vote of $1,000 as against 26o,265 for
Mr.. Pinchot and 266,4l5 for Mr.. Pal
mer Mr. Penrose defeated each of
his opponents by vote of practically
two to one.
I'm view of that record. to assume
that Mr.. Penrise is lacking in ability
is reflection upon Harvard College,
upon the supreme court of Penn syl-
vania, upon his neighbors who elected
him to the state legislature, upon the
state legislatures that elected him to
the United States senate, and the half
million people who voted for him in
4 1914 His continuous IS years in pub
lie life surpasses in length that of any
other man now in the senate, or in the
United States. For IA out of his p
years in the senate he has been a
member of the finance committee. and
for two congresses was its chairman.
Such legislative experience as this,
4 certainly qualities him so far as ability
is concerned.
"His ability being unquestionable,
the only possible justifiable basis for
attack is his integrity and patriotism,
and here, again, Mr.. Pinchot runs
counter to the intelligence and hon
esty of the people of Pennsylvania
There may have been times when
unled legislative election of senator's
small majority might be secured by
questionable methods. but there never
was and never will be time in Penn
sylvania or any other seate, when
. $4,000 votes can be corrupted in q
7 secret ballot
"Mr. Pinchot's assumption is there
, fore absurd, especially in view of the
{ fact that the Penrose plurality ex.
ceeded that accorded in Pennsylvania
: to Roosevelt for President in 1912. to
Brumbaugh for governor in 1914, to
5 Hughes for President in 1916 or tc
r Knox for senator in 1916. No Other
Y Republican member of the finance
D committee is supported by so large
: plurality. No other Republican mem
Der of the committee defeated hi:
nearest opponent by so large pro
portion of votes.
r "But that is not all His ability ana
good character having been attestet
: successfully by Harvard College. tn
supreme court of his state, his neigh
bors. his state legislature and the PEG
pie of his state, he has passed ant
A again must pass the scrutiny OF hi
associates in the United State senate
h Against these men, chosen by thei
constituents in their several states
il Mr.. Pinchot would set his own judg
h ment. With holier -and-wiser-t than
n thou attitude, he would dictate to tn
chosen representatives of the people
and do il in the name of solicitude to
the welfare Of the Republican party
v He will find that the Republicans
the country have had enough OF con
=, troversies over individuals and tina
!, they are infinitely more interested 4
!. actual legislation than in the individ
!. ual whose name. because OF scniorit
n of office and temporary position, an
!. for convenience, happens TO be at tn
: head of any bill congress may cnac
For IS years Mr.. Pcnrose has sirius
: gled and fought for the intcgrit,
. solidarity and supremacy OF the IL
E publican party.
g I'VE hold no brief foe Mt Penross
"a but we believe in truth, logic. Repul
lican principles. and the integrity.
the senate. which, under the Constit.
ton. is the sole Judge OF the qualit
cations OF It's members"