The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-26
THE SENATORIAL CONTEST.
How the Ohio Fight Is Seen from Afar.

| Special Correspondence Of the Star
WASHINGTON. Dec. 22-Since the open
ing of the present Congressional session
there has been considerable interest mani
tested in Washington over the coming Ohio
Senatorial contest. The Republicans have
preferences as they are actuated by per-
sonal friendship, individual ambition. po-
litical belief and political jealousy. The
Democrats are in pretty much the same po-
sition as the woman whose husband Is
fighting with bear-they don't care which
whips / have talked with number Of
men considered accurate calculators of po-
litical chances. and have obtained views as
summarized below:
| GARFIELD's CHANCES.
BY far the greater number, and the most
influential, are strong in the belief that
there is no possible chance for any one else.
mentioned. they talk enthusiastically of his
long service, his generous withdrawal last
time in favor OF Matthews, and the debt
the Republican party owes him. Governor
elect Foster and General Charles Grosvenor
have, as reported in the STAR, expressed
the opinion that by the time of the elec-
tion Garfield will have developed such
strength that he will virtually have no op-
position.
| Others, however, claim that Garfield's s
strength is greatly over-estimated; that
what support he has he is fast losing; that
hissrecord on several important issues is to
be fished up, and used to his great disad-
advantage.
The boom which Ex-senator Matthews is
having at present Is most likely to injure
Garfeld's chances, and. should it continue,
will give the other candidates abetter show
of success.
STANLEY MATTHEWS. A
OF all the candidates, Judge Stanley
Matthews is at once the strongest and the
weakest; be is universally known; he has
the support of the administration and q
great part of the railroad interest. In
many ways he is better qualified for the
position than any of his competitors. He
is looked upon here in Washington, where
he practices good deal before the Supreme
Court, as learned and able lawyer. and q
man OF brilliant parts. But as politician
few have any faith in either his ability or
his Judgment. He came prominently to
the front at hazardous time, and to escape
from very disagreeable dilemma, did the
worst thing possible for his reputation. and
lost the confidence of the people, Besides,
he has fewer personal friends than either of
the other candidates. His cold, and often
supercilious manner, repels men, and your
average legislator will not vote for man
whom he can't address affectionately and
put his arms around. STANLEY Mat
thews," said an Ohio. man the other day,
''can never be elected to an Office; whatever
he gets must be by appointment"
The Matthews boom appears to be more
calculated to injure Garfield than to1id
Matthews.
| GOVERNOR DENNrsoN.
Governor Dennison is rarely spoken OF as
candidate. He Is but little known here
personally, especially among the younger
men. 1t is the general opinion that he Is
too old for Senator--that he is antiquated
and belongs to a political generation now
past.
JUDGE TAFT.
From this end Of the line it looks very
much as though Judge Taft is not a strong
candidate. He has few friends among the
Grant men, but among the great mass of
Republicans he is not popular. He has no
claims uron tho party as Garfield has. and
his friends can put him forward as only q
stalwart and likely to assist the Grant
boom.
GOV. TOM YOUNG.
Gov. Young has lately developed con.
siderable strength as candidate and
should none OF the others be chosen on the
first ballot, he stands fair chance of being
elected. He is personally the most pop
ular of all the candidates. An Ohio legis-
lator from Garfeld's district said, while
: here not long ago. II shall of course vote
for Garfield first but the moment l see
Garfield can't be elected I shall vote for
Tom Young" Among the Democrat ts
Gen. Young has some warm and stanch
', friends. A rather prominent Pennsyl.
vanan said to me the other day. II have
been Democrat all my life, and all our
: family are Democrats, but believe that il
: lived in the Second Ohio District should
vote for Tom Young every time"
With certain class Of people-stickler.
for senatorial gravity and iCyness. This popu
larity is one point against him-like Tom
Corwin and Tom Marshall his social quail
ties sometimes obscure his intellectual.
tom Young doesn't get credit for half the
: ability he has" said gentleman who ha.
known him years. And the remark is0eml
.. nently just. General Young is shrewd anG
long. headed, and has acquired in his day a
: good store of worldly wisdom. Should he
be chosen, he will take into the Senate 8
: clear head, good deal Of natural ability,
and considerable knowledge of men and
politics '
BEN. EGGLEsToN.
Ben. Eggleston's canvass is generally re
garded as a joke-as one OF the facetiou
elements of the contest, and no one speak.
of it seriously. A few who know Mr.
! Eggleston personally believe that the grea
desire of his heart is to be Governor O
Ohio, and that by entering the Senatora
race he hopes to bring himself forward as 9
Gubernatorial candidate.i
,, This is the general aspect of the question
here now, but few days and later report!
from Ohio may change opinions greatly
, and may bring forth new candidates ant
|, combinations to upset all present calcula
. tions. ..H.
a Some MEMS Hobbies.