Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-04-14

now under way in Pennsylvania, and
the Indications are for one of the most
interesting, and with the Republicans
the most holly contested of any that
have taken place for long time. The |
nominations Will be made at a popu-
lar primary. on Tuesday. May 16. |
"Wednesday OF this week was special |
registration day, for the enrolment |
OF those who failed to register and |
vote last November. and it is said |
this special registration was unusu-
ally heavy all over the State. espe-
cially In Philadelphia This means
that q much larger vote than usual |
will be cast al the primaries. and that |
- an element which Will put party |
leaders on their metue. as It may do
much more TO upset their schemes
than to forward them.
Interest will centre in the Republi-
can primaries, not only because Penn
sylvania has long been a heavily Re
publican State. but because the party
there is now engaged in the most ex-
citing primary contest of its exist
ence. one marked by distinctive and
vigorous revolt of party voters against
been in sore straits since the death
OF Senator Penrose, and his guiding
hand Is missed. Also. the contests for
the principal nominations, with two
United States Senators IN the list.
attracted SO many contestants that
the machine leaders were sorely per-
picked in their ordinarily easy task Of
making such selections as they desired
and laying them down for party fol-
lowers TO SO through the pretense OF
formally nominating.
The chief manipulators OF the Re-
publican party machine-or what is
left of it--are Governor sprom and
the Ware Brothers. contractors politi-
cal and otherwise, who have Ions held
Philadelphia In their grasp. At FIRST
they had their candidate for governor
the chief prize, In view OF the prob
ability OF the next administration hav-
Ing control OF road building contracts
TO the extent OF a hundred million dol
larr, with rich pickings annexed-but
the independent revolt assumed such
proportions they were afraid 10 even
30 they withdrew all but Attorney
General Alter. who is offered To the
people as a man who would best serve
their interests as governor, but whom
they can depend upon 10 serve the
bosses FIRST. State Forest Commits
sioner Clifford Pinchot meanwhile IN
sugurated vigorous campaign FOR
the nomination. and for awhile State
Banking Commissioner Fisher was ar
active contestant. The latter. how
ever. withdrew when the machine Sc
lected Alter, and his action. II IS con.
ceded, will materially aid the chance.
OF Pinchot. as Fisher would hav,
divided the anti-machine vote. Ant
II Pinchot should be nominated. 1
would be as complete an overthrow
for the Sproul-yare State machine al
would the election OF Democratic
administration In November.
But the machine is resourceful ant
still powerful. Through its control o
the State administration, under Gov
ernor Sproul, and OF the administra
tions OF most OF the counties and tn
populous cities. 1t viii have the sup
port OF all the Office holding an
patronage distributing influences
which are powerful in primary con
tests. And with this support con
centrated upon one set Of candidate.
= Will be difficult for Pinchot to wiz
although not impossible.
The Democratic primary campaig
10 practically settled In advance. 3
conference Of leading Democrat
from every county in the State.
ticket was amicably and enthusiastic
ally recommended. headed by job
A. Mcspsrran Of Lancaster county.
leading granger and active man {
Affairs. for governor. This ticket wi
be nominated without opposition 9
the primaries on May 16.
Also. preposterous though II ma
seem. Pennsylvania Democrats vi
not oonsign themselves-to overwheln