Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/410

 Pennsylvania, place the party in an equivocal position and shatter, if not disrupt, the party organization. The question to my mind is not at all debatable and should not be for one moment considered; and in this matter I not only speak for myself but for the great organization of which I am the executive head. I do not know that such a thought has occurred to you and I sincerely hope it has not, but if it has, I pray that you will give the matter your usual very careful consideration, having in view, as I believe you always have, the best interests of the Republican party of the great State of Pennsylvania. I speak thus strongly and warmly, for in my opinion there is but one side to the question and that to pander to the advice of the timid at this time means disruption to the party, great and overwhelming.

Apropos to this question, I inclose herewith a letter I received yesterday from my brother, three times chairman of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania, an ex-member of the Pennsylvania State Senate and twice a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, for your information regarding the way an extra session of the legislature is viewed from the standpoint of a level-headed man who has ever been on the firing line when the interests of the Republican party were at stake. I value his opinion greatly because he was a trusted lieutenant of the late Senator Quay and represents that great army whom Senator Quay in his lifetime designated as the “men in blouses.”

With assurances of my esteem and regard, I am
 * Yours sincerely,
 * , Chairman.

He enclosed this letter from W. H. Andrews, generally designated as “Bull” Andrews.

, August 22, 1905.

I see by the morning papers that the report is that Penrose is in favor of calling an extra session of the legislature, etc., etc. Now you get hold of the Senator and tell him for God's sake not to think of such a thing. If he allows this to be done it will certainly be his doing-up. He must assume to the dignity that it is a great mistake to have the legislature called. There is nothing to call them together for, and it will be the greatest mistake he ever made to have the governor call the extra session. You must get hold of Penrose and pound this into him. Now do not allow 392