Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-07
THE NEW FREEDOM

TN THE big show at Chicago the mys-
L terry element is supplied-one might
say magnificently-by the Pennsylvania
delegation and its leaders. Senator
Knox, turning in what, at distance,
something like a huff to join
Senator Peprose among the absentees,
is an additional inCitcmcnt to specu-
lation.
As we said in this column a week
ago, Mr.. Penrose was reluctantly COM
PEELED to relinquish the reins for the
time being. His presence in Chicago
was not expected by his friends. De-
mails of the exclusive report published
in this newspaper were made as a
matter of course. But the senator and
his physicians made up their minds two
weeks ago that the trip to Chicago
would be inadvisable. and since then
Governor Sproul has borne the respon-
sibilities of state leadership in matters
related to the national convention.
The Governor has seventy six un-
instructed delegates at his back. and IL
he is wise he can come out of the
Chicago convention almost as big a man
as the nominee; if, indeed, he does not
emerge with the nomination. This is
because a balance Of power as heavy
as that now represented by Pennsyl
vanians may count tremendously in a
convention composed of scattered. con
fiioting and unorganized forces.
With the absence Of Mr.. Penrose and
Mr.. Knox. the old school methods long
upheld in this states political affairs
may be set aside temporarily at least.
in Chicago. The Governor and his as
Sociates are having a taste of the new
freedom. What will they do with it?
The abdication of Mr.. Knox from the
place Of substitute leader seems not to
have been altogether voluntary. No
one ought to be surprised if it proves
that there has been revolt of sorts in
the party and that younger men are
actually determined to seize power for
an adventure in self determination. II
they line up with the progressive and
forward minded elements of the party
u fight on stand pats and radicals
alike they may do much TO bring about
the sort of harmony which the Old
Guard on one hand and Mr.. johnson
and Mr. Borah on the other have made
difficult. They Can give the state 9
new start and new influence in tn,
field of national politics.
Nothing in the convention prelimi
naries has been more arresting than tn,
sudden development and spread of tn,
movement tending to give the nomina
tion to the Governor of Pennsylvania
In few days Mr.. Sproul has passed
| out of the class OF favorite sons int,
the first rank of possibilities. When
politician as astutc aS William J. Bryal
actually predicts Sprouts nomination
it becomes clear that great changes ar
afoot not only in Pennsylvania polite
but in the politics Of the country. II
New York and Ohio the Sproul boor
is being viewed with increasing interes
and favor. The reasons for. this ar
clear, II it is shown at Chicago tha
the Governor is actually making a figh
for greater political enlightenment an
that he has actually declared open wa
on Old Guard leaders. he may be tn
man that the party needs. He can bas
his claims on the efficiency and decenc
of his record in Harrisburg AS ma
with liberal slant of mind and on
who has little sympathy with the der
wishes Of the party, he would be quail
: flied to find his way along the san
middle course which, after all, is tn
road 10 real progress