Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-26
Whitaker Replaces
Speaker SpangIer

Continued from Page One
the Pennsylysnia Legislature has ever
seem In recollection of the oldcht scna
tor or representative.
When the House assembled this
morning at 10 o'clock il was under
conditions that had not existed be.
fore in twenty-five years.
House Rises Against SpangIer
Last night at midnight 13J members
representing the Sproul administration
hamcd into open rebellion against
Speaker Spangler and the obstructive
minority he represented.
In orderly procedure, but with a grim
determination that had in it something
akin to the old Cromwellian spirit. the
majority Of the House seized the rens
ot its government, elected speaker
pro TEN and completely routed the mi
nority faction, which. headed by Span
gl"r. hurriedly left the chamber.
Climax in Party Feud
II was the astonishing climax to the
party feud TO which the EVENING PUB
Lie LEDGER in November. lD10, first
directed public attention.
Today. ms a result, the Republican,
party in Pennsylvania is split wide
open. IL IL not a mere line of cleavage.
It's Il gulf aud an uubridgeable one ar
that.
Th" faction headed by Governor
Sproul and Republican state Chairman
Senator Crow in unQuestioncd con
troll Of both Senate md House.
The faction, headed by Grundy and
Oliver, of Pittsburgh, is in hopeless
minority. This was demonstrated last
night every time test vote was taken
in the House.
Where Is rerrose?
Just where Senator Penrosc stands,
what faction he is aligned with, IS a
uucstion-nnd very serious one.
II Senator Penrose has deliberately
let men who openly claimed his SUP.
port and encouragement go smashing
down to defeat. then he has lost pres
tige for which his federal patronage
cannot compensate.
On the other hand. If he has openly
antagonized the triumphant faction.
then he can scarcely expect its support
in the future. In such n case he is not
the patron of faction, but suitor for
it's support il he intends TO retain con-
rrol in the state.
l'ruucstionably the insurrection of
last night will have its effect upon the
approaching election Of IA United States
senator. in which Senator Knox is an
openly acknowledged candidate.
All sorts and conditions of political
erplcxitics will be spawned frCm the
happenings Of last night. AS for
Grundy. he is an antagonist who never
recC gnizes defent. From now on II can
safely be declared n" will fight harder
than ever.
But it will be uphill work, 1t will
BE- the task of political Sisyphus.
The events OF last night run in easy
| sequence. They had their counterpart
twenty two years ago. when in 1899
John r. Farr, of Lackawanna. was
speaker. He dched the House and the
House accepted the gage of battle.
1t elected the brilliant but erratic
Ward Il. Bliss. brother Of General
| Tasker II. Bliss. of world war fame. as
speaker pro TEN and fought Farr to a
| finish.
At the beginning of the present
| Legislature. it will be recalled. pointed
out that the Assembly even then was
over a sleeping volcano. that an out
burst was likely to occur at any mo =
mcnt: further. that it would be a ses-
sion in which taxation and revenue
would be paramount issues.
Indicated by All Sides
! With no disposition TO be an II told
you so. it is only necessary TO say
that every finger board in Republican
politics even then pointed TO the Ger.
tain fulfllment of the prediction.
Briefly outlined. III" story of thi.
rare and remarkable episode began when