Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-25
REPUBLICAN PARTY IN STATE
Is ALL "SHoT TO PIECES"
Insurgent Uprising Sure Unless unde-
sirable Candidates for Governor Are
Cast Aside and First-Class
Man Is Named
BY GEORGE NOX MCCAIN

Tn THE vernacular Of the day, the Re-
publican State Organization, as result
OF the death Of Senator Penrose, has been
"shot to pieces"
Attempts are being made by certain
cliques. headed by minor political leaders,
to form combinations to seize control OF
the State organization for their own selfish
purposes.
The prime object Of these movements is
to nominate and elect q candidate Of their
own choosing as Governor.
Through a Governor Of their own selec-
tion It will be possible for certain free
hooters to control the situation and hold in
their grasp the resources and vast posslblli-
ties of the Commonwealth.
The revelations that already have been
made concerning the condition of fiscal af-
fairs at Harrisburg should be sufficient to
arouse right thinking members of the party
to the peril that menaces the organization.
In the scramble for place among the
warning factions there Is danger that one
of the undcsirables now clamoring for recog-
milton may seize the prize and disgrace the
State.
1t Is Uncomfortable that the decent, self
respecting Republicans of Pennsylvania will
stand by and idly permit such consumma-
ton. 1t is time that they begin TO take
stock not only of conditions but of can
didatcs.
Half dozen names have been suggested
for the govcrnorship. With two exceptions
all of them have remained in the back
ground, permitting their friends to urge
their availability and present their claims.
Two candidates, State Treasurer Snyder
and Lieutenant Governor Beidleman, for
long have been proclaiming their availability
from the housctopS. For months Mr.. Beidle-
man has gone up and down the State,
wherever opportunity offered delivering
addresses with the knowledge of all men
that he was a candidate for Governor.
Mr.. Snyder, with n record of twenty five
years continuously in office, presents his
photograph, his advertising card, as his
claim to the same high office.
In the light of recent revelations con-
cerninS the financial transactions between
these gentlemen, involving the States
money, and boasted violation Of the law,
1t is unbelievable that their claims to the
Office should receive serious consideration.
BY the same token, the influential Re-
publicans may well scan the horizon and
take note Of the political barometer as it
affects the personnel of all men Offering
themselves for consideration as candidates
for Governor.
An error In selection will almost GER
tNinly prccipitate an uprising among the
Independent element Of the party.
Dissatisfaction with certain conditions
at Washington and the practical demolition
of the party machinery IN the State are
having their effect Already Democratic
leaders are talking harmony and taking
cognIzancc Of the situation IN the Repub-
lican ranks.
The condition is dangerous only so far as
the Republican Party permits Itself to be
made a tool of petty and unworthy bosses,
or compelled to recognize as its candidate
for Governor a man unworthy of confidence
or the acknowledged tool of leaders who are
politicians for what there Is in It In cash
or contracts.
The nomination Of man who will rank
high in integrity and ability, who will COM
mand public confidence, who has no apolo-
gies or explanations TO make for his official
past, and who has no masters to serve In
the future, can rally united party to his
standard.
1t IS time for the leaders Of the Republican
Party to look the situation gquarely in the
face.