New-York tribune., 1883-06-05
THE OHIO RFPUBLICAN CONVENTION

The Republicans of Ohio meet in convention
TODAY. 1t falls to their lot, in advance OF
action in any other important State, to make
known the position of the Republican party in
contests upon which the result of the next
Presidential election may largely depend.
This responsibility of practical leadership is
one to which the sturdy Republicans OF ONO
are not unaccustomed, and hitherto they have
generally been able to reflect with marked
fidelity the wishes Of the party throughout the
country. In 1876, when they nominated Gov
ernor Hayes, on q hard-money platform, they
made the next President. In 1879, when they
nominated Governor Foster against General
Ewing, they opened the way for the magnlfi-
cent victory of 1880. But in ther of these
years was the prospect as bright for the RepuD-
lican marty as it is now, nor did it seem as easy
az It does now to interpret correctly the will OF
the party. 1t is not to be expected, therefore,
that the party will find itself handicapped in the
struggle Of 1884 by any mistake at the ONO
Convention of this week.
The obstacle which has been considered the
chief cause of Republican defeat in Ohio last
year. according to the opinion of able and expert
enced leaders, has now been removed 1t Is their
Judgment that the liquor question has been put
into such shape by new legislation that IL VIII
helm rather than hurt the Republican party.
At all events, it ought not to prevent direct
issue between the two great parties this year
on National questions. 1t has seemed doubtful
to some whether that ...question actually
had as much to do with the result in Ohio last
wear as many believed. The Democratic plu-
rality was less than one-quarter OF the number
x,hn efovp1 nt home. and in
only six northeastern counties over 5000 Re
pubicans thus expressed their indifference.
When tho party goes into campaign upon
which, rs all parties admit, the result OF the
next Presidential election may largely depend,
it can reckon with confidence that the earnest
Republicans Of the Reserve will not take that
occasion to " go fishing"
It is well known, too that the causes OF dis
satisfaction on the part of many Republicans
| who failed to vote last year have been in a
| great degree removed. Some were impatient
| because nothing had been done to reduce tax
alton. But they now have to consider reduc-
| ton of about SIS, 100000. Some were dis
| pleased because measures had not been taken
| to reform the civil service. But the very
measure which the association for that end
| framed and recommended has nc " been passed,
| and men who have its success at heart have
been selected to enforce the law. If some were
displeased because the course of the Admins
tration did not meet their wishes, they GER
tainly have less occasion now for such feeling,
and they are called upon this year to prepare
| the way for new Republican Administration,
unless they wish to transfer themselves bodily
to the Democratic party. That few OF those
| Republicans have OF ever had any such purpose
| it is hardly necessary to say.
| No doubt the Republican Convention Will ap-
prove the reform of the Civil Service, and call
| for the faithful enforcement of the new law.
No doubt, too, it will refer with satisfaction to
the splendid growth and prosperity which have
followed the resumption of specie payments
| grand work In which Ohio bore more than its
full share. 1t may be presumed also that the
Convention will strongly commend Congress
for the reduction of taxation, and for revision
of the tariff which has removed almost countless
causes of vexation, complaint and waste. 1t
| it earnestly regrets that, mainly through Demo-
cratic votes, some branches of industry were