Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-04
GOVERNOR SPRoUL is At
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS
Must Decide Whether to Crafty His Am.
billion by an Immediate Deal Win
Beidlerran or to Wait and let
the Voters Confer the Sen
atorshp on Him

atorship on Him
GOVERNOR SPROUTS ambition to 60
~ to the Senate docs him credit. When
Senator Knox died a few months ago he
rejected the suggestion that nc resign from
the governorship 50 that Lieutenant Gov
ernor Bcidleman ms Governor might appoint
him TO the vacancy. He announced then
that he had been elected Governor and that
he would serve out his term. But he did
not expect another senatorial vacancy to
occur 30 soon. And, anyway, the successor
to Knox, it was felt then. should come from
the western end OF the State.
The death of Senator Penrosc and the
serious illness Of Senator Crow leave the
Governor as the responsible leader of the
Republican Party in the State. The way
the now vacancy in the State senatorial
delegation is to be filled will be decided by
the Governor. He is officially responsible
for 'ar appointment Of n Senator to hold
Office until another Senator can be elected.
H. ,s expected TO assume full responsibility
after CONSULTATION with the leading men in
the parry. Whatever advice he may receive,
the final decision rests with him, and what
ever praise or blame accrucs will belong TO
him.
The temptation to change the eminently
proper decision which he made when Senator
Knox died Is doubtless strong. He could
make an arrangement with the Lieutenant
Governor under which Mr.. Beidlcman would
succeed him as the head Of the State Gov
ernment in return for appointing Mr.. Sproul
TO the Senate
But such n course should not be taken
without a consideration Of what It would
involve. In the first place, 1t would put
in the governorshir Il man who accepted
fee of $4,000 for legal services from the
Auditor General in evasion of law which
provides that the Attorney General should
do all the law business of the State: man
who has told three different stories about
the cheCk-dPnying that he received it then,
when It's existence with his Endorsement was
shown, saying that it was paid for legal
services, and finally declaring TINT he did
not get it.
Such a man ought never to be Governor.
1t is morally certain that even If he could
get the nomination in the primaries, which
is doubtful, lie would face severe fight at
would seriously embarrass Mr.. Sproul If he
consented to the promotion OF Beidlcman
to the govcrnorship as the price Of his own
appointment TO the Senate.
In the second place, it is by no means
a remote possibility that it will be necessary
to fill BY appointment the senatorship now
held by Mr.. Crow. That gentleman IS
seriously ILL., He has not been able TO occupy
his seat in the Senate. He is now in
hospital. Before reaching any definite de-
Cision 1t would be wise for the Governor 10
consider what kind Of u Senator Beidleman
would appoint in the event of the occurrence
Of another vacancy by the resignation Of
Mr.. Crow or any other contingency.
Governor Sproul refused before 70 con.
template entering the Senate save by elcc-
tion of the people. That opportunity is still
open 10 him, and it has como sooner than
he expected It. He now has the power to
retain control Of the filing of any vacancy
that may occur within the ncNt twelve
months and he has the opportunity TO be-
come candidate for the full term Of Sen
ator Knox beginning on March 1, 1928.
And so long as he remains Governor i" will
have more influence than any other man in
naming the candidate to nil by c'cctlou the
unexpired term of Senator Pcnrore, while
he can appoint man TO hold Office until a
successor of Penrosc Is elected
II he pursued this course he would
strengthen his political power in the State.
II would be the course OF good taste and
propr!cty. He would prevent the accession
10 the governorship Of n man who has
demonstrated his unfturss for the Office
And he would enter the Senate with tho
prestige of election by the people rather
than as his own appontec by proxy of Il
man who named him as The price Of pro-
| motion to a higher oticr.
The Governor can better afford 10 serve
out his term, and meanwhile confidently
! submit his laudable ambition to the voters
in May and November, than to crafty it
| at price the payment Of which he would
| be likely to regret in after years when it,
! "ons"qucncrs became apparent to every one,