The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-19
iE REPULsE IN OHIO.
ator Sherman Thinks 1t Due to the Pro-
Aibition Question and the Wool Tariff.

question, ''InaI tne hepuDllcanS VI OHlo ulu
not expect to carry the State. They did ex-
poet to elect Mr. Foraker, and fully expected
TO retain control of the State government
But the Republicans had much to contend
against, and had to be content with defeat
this year."
''To what cause do you ascribe the defeat?"
'Well, there were several matters that en-
tered into the canvass this year that mate
rally aided the Democrats. There were side
tissues that were brought into the campaign
that injured the Republicans and resulted in
Judge Hoadly's election. But l suppose
the public has become thoroughly acquainted
with Ohio election matters so 1 scarcely
see the necessity of going into the question
very particularly"
'The public, however, has not had your
personal ideas on the subject, Senatora'
''Well, perhaps that is so. but I can add
but little to the story. Our ticket was de-
feated through many causes One of the
most potent of these was undoubtedly due
to the submission to the people of the pro-
hibition amendment Then there were
many matters OF minor Importance that con-
spired to create a general dissatisfaction
among the Republicans of the State and
helped the Democrats greatly"
"What of the prohibition movement"
.'That was fatal issue to the Republicans.
The Legislature of Ohio as you know, passed
law some time since taxing liquor sellers.
This law was known as the Scott law,
and its provisions were very widely
and fully discussed in the press of
the country at the time of its adoption
and since. While this law was being en-
forced there was submitted to the people of
the State proposed amendment to the con-
Stitution, which measure was known as the
prohibition amendment. This measure was
of course designed to prohibit the sale of in
toxicants under heavy penalties. The peo-
pie expected that the Republicans would
take a decided stand in regard to this proh-
ibition amendment, and the people who saw
in the near future a loss of all their business
voted heartily against the Republican ticket
THE Germans in the State who have always
made up a large part of the Republican vote
did not want to wreck their business inter
ests by favoring prohibition or the cand-
date whom they believed favored the amend
ment"
''Were not the Germans dissatisfied at other
things@'
Yes, undoubtedly they were Governor
Foster made some reports that were con-
strued as dsparaging to the Germans in the
State and the candidates were to some ex-
tent, injured thereby. OF course, the Gov
ernor may have been misunderstood, but at
any rate the Germans became incensed, and,
together with the prohibition question: that
matter helped to defeat the Republican
ticket"
WAS there any other influence that oper-
ated in the canvass?'
Eyes, there was at least one other one, and
rather think itoperated pretty considerably
to decrease the Republican vote"
What was that?'
''Well, you know, the Senate passed tariff
act by which, among other things, a duty
was levied Oh wool. This particular portion
of the measure was forced upon the Senate
by the senators from the New England
States. Now there are in Ohio large numbers
of farmers who raise sheep, and consequently
wool. They naturally did not feel pleased at
the placing of a duty on wool, and they even
had a feeling against me because 1 did not
oppose the adoption of the tariff bill as a
whole. That, of course, was impossible l
could not have voted against the measure as
a whole simply because tax was levied on
wool. Still the trouble was made, and many
of the farmers of the State voted against the
Republicans because of the wool tariff"
ITO recur to the prohibition question,
Senator, what do you think of such an
amendment
THAT is pretty broad question: but NAV
say that so far as am personally concerned
would not care if drop of liquor was never
sold. l recognize, however, how extremely
difficult matter it is to legisate on such
subject, and am thoroughly convinced that
no prohibition law will work we'll among the
people. 1t is not only difficult but practically
impossible Tor one set of men to say to every
body else You shall neither buy nor sell
any more liquor ale nor beer, and to carry
their ideas into execution. Every commu-
nifty has very strong element, liberal in
thought and education, who will submit to
no such law until all expedients have been
made use of to defeat it, The people in Ohio
thought very strongly about this matter, and
they very vigorously showed that they did
at the recent election"
''The Republicans to the last were conf
dent of carrying the State were they not?''
Most certainly they were. Three weeks
before the election no one had any doubt of
Republican success. Then the women began
to turn out and work for prohibition, and
most vigorous canvass was waged But the
Republicans lost, mainly through Republi-
can dissatisfaction with the issues and
through personalities on the part of the peo-
pie"
There was no fault to be found with the
ticket?''
None whatever Judge Foraker was
nominated fairly by the Republicans of the
State, and was very popular man. Judge
Hoadly, on the contrary, was not so popular
personally, and yet he carried the State. The
matters have told you of all conspired to
cause his election"
"Wlll the Republican defeat have any de-
cided influence on the party next year, when
President is to be elected?'
None whatever. Ohio is a Republican
State on national issues 1t will be carried
by the Republicans next year most assured
ly."
Irrespective of any side issues?'
well, you see, tine Democrats are now in
power in the State, or at least they soon will
be, and they will have to deal with all the
annoying, questions that disturbed the cam
paign this year They will find it hard to
satisfy the people, and do not think they
will succeed in doing so. However, think
Ohio is Republican State on national is
sues"
Has the Republican defeat this year made