Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-10-05
An INDEPENDENT VIEW OF THE
OHIO FIGH AT.

Col. A. X. MCLURE, the able editor
of the Philadelphia Times, leading in
dependent paper, writes from Cincin-
natl that "the political contest in Ohio
presents more vexatious complications
and more unknown quantities than l
have met with in any modern State
political battle. Neither side is en-
tirely confident, and the situation may
be correctly summed up by saying that
the Republicans are generally some
what confident and the Democrats
generally somewhat hopeful. There
are several elements which defy all
,afe calculation in advance of the elec-
lion. AS neither their present strength
nor their sticking qualities can be as.
Certained, there is general free-and-
easy sla,hing about among both the
LIQUOR and the Prohibition people that
defies all regulation of party figures. II
the Republican Germans, who broke
last year and swept Cincinnati, Cleve-
land and the State for the Democrats,
present the same solid front in support
of Hoadly, and the Prohibitionists adj
here TO their separate ticket, HOadly
will he elected and the Legislature will
be Democratic.
But will the Germans continue in re-
beliOn? Will the ProhibitiOnists throw
away their votes on their own ticket?
These are questions which the wisest
politicians on both sides hesitate TO
answer. The Democrats hope the
Germans will continue their revolt aud
that the PrOhibitionists will vote their
own ticket. But they very much fear
that either or both may disappoint
them, and if either shall fail them the
battle must be lost to the Democrats.
Well. posted Democratic leaders admit
in private conversation that HOadly
may carry Cincinnati and Cleveland by
several thousand and yet be beaten if
ten Thousand or more PrOhibitiOnists
vote directly for Foraker, as Is not only
possible, but quite probable. Both sides
confess that Hamilton and CuyahOga
are doubtful, and those who claim them
for their party are content to claim a
thousand or so majority. Ii is clear
that the Republican Germans of last
year are not solid in the revolt of this
year and the liquor issue is presented in
such a tangible form on the Scott license
law, that is shouldered by the Republi-
cans, that the straight Prohibitionist
vote is likely to be reduced to nominal
figures, while the bulk Of 1t will go
Squarely to Foraker. If so the Repub-
leans will carry the State, even with
ont Cincinnati and Cleveland.
The Legislature is rather more doubt
ful than the State ticket. While the
battle made by Mclean, BoOkwalter
and others against Pendleton is quite
embarrassing to the Democrats, and
must hinder them in effective effort for
both the State and Legislative tickets.
The Republicans are correspondingly
hindered in the Legislative battle oy
The apprehension that Gov. Foster will
| e made Senator if the Republicans
carry the Legislature. Foster is not in
favor with the German Republicans in
Cincinnati, as they hold him
responsible for the causes which forced
them into revolt last year, and if the
Republican Legislative ticket shall be
heaten in this city it will be a retIibu-
tive blow from the Republican Ger
mans aimed at Foster. This element
makes the defeat of the thirteen Re-
publican Legislators possible in Cincin-
Tati, even with the Democrats divided,
md the same cause will be equally
potential in Cleveland, where six are to
he chosen; but the Republicans carried
the last Legislature outside of Hamil-
ton county and Cuyahoga, and with
the rural Prohibition tide that seems to
he going their way thew may do il
again. In short, Ohio is fairly in doubt,
both as to the State ticket and Legisla-