Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-10-06

THE election in Ohio takes place on
the second Tuesday of October. Less
than two weeks, therefore, remain in
which to receive interest in canvass
that has been lifeless because neither
party. in the presence of National af-
Fiction, has been disposed to discuss is
sues or make other than very quiet ef-
fort to influence the result of the ballot.
Even now, when all hearts are sorrow
full, men feel more like remaining in
their homes, attending to their private
affairs, than in meeting. to consider po-
litical affairs and the claims of candi
dates to their votes. But the interests
of the State and the Nation must be con-
sidered, whoever falls from the ranks of
the living. We must see that the Com
monwealth is cared for, and that the
offices to be filled in October are not oc-.
cupied by men unworthy to be trusted
with grave responsibilities.
In our best judgment the reelection of
Governor Foster is IA foregone conclu-
sion, for aside from his own strength
and popularity individually and as Gov
ernor, there is such widespread dissatis-
faction among old Democrats with a
candidate who has no claims on the
party, is not, in fact, a Democrat, and
never voted Democrat ticket till less
than year ago,-that the Democratic
vote will be very far below the average
Moreover, Mr.. Bookwalter's method
of campaigning has not met with ap-
proval among the more thoughtful men
of his own party. The establishment of
a literary bureau to prepare silly docu-
ments that have fallen stillborn from
the press, while he has been humping
himself about the State, visiting the mi
ming districts, and leaving behind him a
streng odor of whisky among those he
has treated, and emptying the contents
of his barrel into the hands of emissa-
ries who are supposed to put them
where they will do the most good, while
he has carefully avoided to give any
public reasons for the faith that is in
him, are methods of campaigning that
are not approved in Ohio, however eff
cient they have been found in New
York.
1t has cropped out also that Mr.. Book
walter is man of imperial predisposi-
tions, and that his admiration for mon
archial institutions is stronger than his
faith in the working of republican gov
arnment. While protesting to be the
friend Uf the workingman, he is himself
a monopolist, and has derived enormous
profits in the manufacture of an article,
which. protected by patent, leaves him
| clear field and without competition.
This is not the sort of man to adjust
| himself by transparent pretensions to
the sympathles of the hard-wOrking sons
of Ohio. Nor have the young men who
have been intrusted with the manage
ment of the campaign for him, contrib
uted anything to the canvass that works
in his favor. Their inexperience has
led to blunders confusing to the har-
II ony which is needful for resolute and
efficient labor. They have succeeded in
souring many of the old leaders and
managed MIR. Bookwalter into a disas-
trous quarrel with men whose influence
with the Irish Democracy is not to be
| dsspised or scoffed at.
4 Upon all National issues, as the re-
funding of the bonds, the management
of the public funds, the tariff, the De-
4 mocracy are in no mood to discuss them.
Beaten upon them year ago, the dispo-
sition is to avoid them as perilous ques-
tions TO meddle with, especially when
they havea candidate for Governor who,
upon all these points, has been a Repub-
llcan up to very recent date. 1t would
greatly embarass him to push such
questions to the front.
, The time for work is short, and action
, should be energetic and aggressive
Il (Cin, Com. Goth ult. - -,irat.ss