Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-23
rspnc1AI rELEcnAn TO the D1sPArcH.l !

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.l
COLUMBUS, December 22.-There seems
to be a mutual understanding between the
leading candidates for the Senate that there
shall be a cessation of hostilities until after
Christmas. They are, however, suspicious
of each other, and it is likely some of the
finest work will be accomplished between
this and the last of the week. The million
aires are not slothful and do. not tire early
in the good cause with such prize at
stake.
John n. Thomas, Of Springfield, who has
been in the city for couple of days, left for
home last evening, saying that he would
not likely return until the last of the week
unless he discovered there was some, effort
to take undue advantage of him; then he
would abandon the Christmas observance
for one year. Mr. Thomas talks entertain
ingly, when it is considered that he is
looked upon as the leading candidate for
the Senate against Calvin s. Brice. Thomas
said last evening:
A STRONG CANDIDATE.
''The people generally speak of the candi-
dates as if Brice and are the leading can
didates, and the fight is between us. am
not satisfied that the contest will not yet be
between myself and Mcmahon. He has
quite strong following and is the opposite
of the elements which are represented in the
candidacy of Brice. and think if
Brice begins to lose that McMahon
with myself will be the gamers. The worst
thing which can be said against Mcmahon
is that he has never done anything for the
party; in fact he has not so much as opened
his mouth in its interest since he left Con-
gress, where he was placed as recognition
of his ability, and not because he had ever
done anything looking to the strengthening
of the party in the State. "
"What do you consider your leading
claims on the party?" was asked of Mr..
Thomas.
Undoubtedly nv leading point ofstrength
lies with the worEngmen of the State. 1
do not suppose there is man in
Ohio who has done more in the
way of example and direct work in
the interest of organized labor than
myself While other manufacturers in
Springfield have had strikes on hand trying
to grind the men down, 1 have been run
ming steadily, paying advanced wages and
working them less hours. In their fights
with the capitalists have on one or two oc-.
casions made public speeches in which
have taken the part of the mechanics and
laboring men, and they remember these
things.
NDoRsED BY THE KNIGHTS.
''The adoption of the resolutions by the
Dayton Assembly, Knights of Labor, was
unknown to me, and while have not asked
for anything of the kind expect that other
organizations of similar character will take
like action before the contest is concluded.
If did not consider that am the strongest
candidate for the position, and could do
more for the Democratic party in the State
and the patton than any other candidate. I
would withdraw at once. believe that the
members of the Legislature will see it as 1
do, and feel quite sure of election"
"Are you urging any special point
against Brice, your leading opponent
mo, am on the best of terms with all
the other candidates and expect to continue
in that manner to the close. 1 learned
while on the road as salesman, several
years ago, that it did not pay to make an
attack, or run down the goods of an op-
ponent, in an effort to make sales, and
think the same will hold good in regard to
politics. My policy has always been to
give the best recommendation have to my
own wares or my own cause, and 1 think it
will win in the long run.
BRIcE NOT A RESIDENT.
"Of course on the question of which you
speak, the fact that Mr. Brice is not resi-
dent will go great way toward his defeat,
Ithink this alone should insure his defeat
and probably will. Ohio has plenty of
good men in the State who are identified
with her material interests as am, and
think some one of them should represent
the State in the Senate. 1t is also urged
that Brice did not come home to vote at the
last election"
Mr.. Thomas denies that he had anything
to do with the apparent bureau interviews
which were gotten up in this city against
the candidacy OF Brice, yet there is a gem
eral belief that he at least had knowledge of
what was coming, if he did not in
spire them through his manager. After
long talk with Mr.. Thomas, and hearing his
reasons as to why he should be elected;
hearing his estimate OF his strength so far
as he is capable of giving anything of the
kind; after learning the loose manner in
which he has been conducting his canvass,
without any direct or intelligent aim, and
with managers who know little more than
himself in regard to the work of politics, the
impression forces itself that he is not now
and will not even be second in the race,
but there will be at least two or three candi-