Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-02
PENRoSE

WHEN great figures in the world of politics
w pass finally from the stage, IL Is fitting
that there should be stir, much ceremonial
homage and the public expression of tribute
to their virtues. Their faults are momen-
tarily forgotten. and all the outward show
is of sorrow and mourning. So 1t is with
Senator Penrose.
His sudden, and In way pathetic. death
away from home and surrounded only by
strangers gives dramatic touch to his
passing which will do much to soften the
asperities Of political enmitres which other
wise might have found tongue even in the
hour Of death Indeed. II he had died sud-
denly in the full power of his sway two
years ago, before the tragic collapse which
left him a broken weakened invalid, IL is
hardly possible that the note of bitterness
could have been suppressed. But as it Is,
one who had no previous knowledge of his
career and personality might be led to be-
lieve from the words which are now spoken
about him that he had never been one Of
the most cordially hated and vigorously
denounced leaders in American politics.
Penrose was great figure and as such
could hardly have failed to win many
enemies. He often merited them, but not
always. Yet, whether deserved or not,
he regarded them all the same-with a
grim. unyielding dogged determination
never to admit mistake or defeat He was
a fighter for the things he wanted He
was ruthless, as every fighter must be who
puts the desire to win above the love Of
exact principle And these are qualities
in the affairs of government and politics.
Perhaps this phase of his character was
the secret Of his success as the leader Of
the Pennsylvania State machine in success
sion to Senator Quay place he held
nearly eighteen years. Pcnrose awcd little
men. They were afraid of him. Ills anger
was as big as his body and hard to out
face He had the force of bulk in the
presence of lesser bodies and this was as
true of his brains as of his physique. lie
was tremendously able intellectually. At
his prime no wit was more dreaded than
his in the Senate. And his armor of cyni-
cism made him proof against return barbs
that would have utterly pierced more sensi-
tive souls.
II has been the habit to say that Penrose
his personal contacts. 1t is true that he had
few personal friends and that he was
solitary. But he was not always so. When
the mood possessed him he could be as
entertaining q companion as any club
habitue. The amenities Of life did not in
terest him. though. And as for his social
opinions, they were of that coldly remote
philosophy which regards the public as a
multiple Of units, a total In the vote COL
umns, a mass, table Of statistics. anything
except go many human lives striving to
work out their destiny.
II Penrose was the antithesis Of his
college mate, Roosevelt, In this respect he
was never cold in his zeal to protect the
welfare of the business interests of the
country as he conceived that welfare. In
Congress and out he was the stalwart cham
pion of all legislation intended to promote
the prosperity of commerce and trade.
Perhaps, in justice. 1t should be said
! that this to him represented the highest tyne
| of consideration for the public, because he
| held that whatever enhanced the prosperity
| OF business was enough to enhance the
! welfare of the people. In this belief he had
| the support of many self consciously re-
! spectacle citizens who would have spurned
dlsdainfully the thought of soiling their
hands in the muck of machine politics as
| he did.
Sprung of an arlstocratc family, enjoying
all the opportunities of education which
wealth and q quick brain could grasp. and
with presence which, in his youth at least
gave him an immense advantage in his
! dealings with men, Penrose might have zone
even into the White House IL he had pur-
sued course less scornful of the humble
voter and less dependent upon the crushing
power Of the steam roller. But he never
complained even when being hit hardest. and
/ that showed what his admirers called cour-
age or what his opponents called tough
hide.
Penrose is gone; after Penros. what
That is the question which, however sound
ing may be the phrases Of eulogy they utter,
is solely .agitating the men Of the Republi
can machine In Pennsylvania who are eager
to seize the power death has made him
yield There will be a jealous scramble.
Already It is on. Who knows how much
the fate Of Pennsylvania during the next
heDaD1g tha