Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-08-15
FORAKERISM.

Campbell and Townsend, are proclaim
ing that the battle-cry of their party
this year must be Down with Foraker
ISM" This they make the issue in the
campaign. Perhaps they do not mean
it. If they do they are likely TO change
their views when they hear from the
people. The gallant leadership of For
aker in past campai gns has given cause
for the fear of 'Forakerism" on the part
of Campbell, Townsend, Myers, Cogan
and other leaders of the latter-day Dem
ocracy. What individualities or peculi-
arities of Foraker can be classed as For
akerism? What is Forakerism?
A lad of sixteen working on farm in
Highland county heard the call for
troops, dropped his hoe and volunteered.
He marched to the front-a private sol
dier for freedom. This was Forakerism.
The young volunteer speedily distin-
guished himself, was the first man over
the breastworks at Missionary Ridge,
conducted himself with such intrepid
bravery in engagement after engage
ment that he won promotions, and was
a quarter of a century later referred to
by Gen. Slocum as young man not
then twenty years of age, who was full
of energy and activity, always reliable.
This was Forakerism.
Returning from the war when peace
was declared, the youthful veteran
wasted no hours in idleness, but entered
college, completed regular course in
half the usual time, and was almost i'm
mediately admitted to the bar, having
been studying law while mastering his
college course. At once he entered into
active practice, striking out for himself
and holding his own in a large city
among practitioners of twice his years.
This was Forakerism.
Upright in character, well versed in
the law, of a judicial temperament, while
still still youth he was elected to the
bench, where he won respect and re-
nown. When temporary i'll health con-
vinced him that he should retire, and he
forwarded his resignation to the Govern
or, it was quickly followed by protest
against its acceptance from all the mem
bers of the Bar and the best citizens of
Hamilty county, with George Hoadly's
name at the head of the list. He was
urged by all to reconsider, and was held
in such general esteem that a commit
tee, headed by Ben Eggleston, besought
him not to resign, but to take six months
leave of absence and then return to the
bench. He answered that to draw the
salary of Judge and not perform the
duties of the Office for even six months
would seem to him like stealing, persist
ed in his resignation and retired from
the bench Notwithstanding universal
protest. This was Forakerism.
Apprehensive of lawleSSneSs and
frauds in the election of 1876, the best
citizens of all parties agreed on J. B.
Foraker as Federal Supervisor of Elect
ions in the Southern District of Ohio
He was appointed by Judge Baxter, and
the elections were, under his supervis-
ion, fairly and honestly conducted, and
not single complaint concerning his
administration of the duties of the posi-
tion was heard from any source. This
was Forakerism.
Called to the Chief Executive office
of his native State, his first act
was to secure reform of the election |
laws under which Ohio citizens can vote
as they choose without being bulldozed
or dictated to, and can and do have their |
votes honestly counted, honestly record |
ed and honestly returned. He became
distinguished for executive ability which !
has made his name as familiar throughE
out the Union as in his native State
Under his administration the State debt
has been in three years reduced from
$4,220,000 to $2,760,000, the annual in
terest charge from $4,000 to $4,000, |
and yet the State tax levy made less
than it has been for fifty years. These
were ForakeriSms.
In 1886, when Charleston was rocked
into ruins by terrible earthquake which
destroyed buildings and rendered home
less hundreds of men, women and chill
dren, Gov. Foraker sent tents for the
homeless and supplies for the destitute
before Southern States or the National
Administration had moved in the way
of rendering assistance, although earn
estly appealed to. Ohio and Ohio S
Governor then won gratitude and thanks
from the people of Charleston and the
South by this prompt and. generous ac-
ton. This was Forakerism.
In 1887, when President Cleveland,
Indifferent or ignorant of the feelings of
veteran Union soldiers, arbitrarily or
dered rebel battle flags, stained with the
hearts blood of gallant Northern Union
men and captured by their comrades, re-
turned to the regiments of the Southern
Confederacy (the Southern Confederacy
being thus for the first time recognized
by the National GoverDment), Gov. For |
aker by telegraph authorized the com
mencement in the United States Su-
preme Court of injunction proceedings
to prevent this illegal transfer, and it
was prevented. At the same time, in
answer to protest from Ohio Grand
Army veterans against the rebel flags in
Ohio's Capitol being returned, he tele-
graphed; mo rebel nagS Will be Surren- |
dered while am Governor" This was
Forakerism.
In 1889, when Johnstown was laid
waste, thousands of its residents drown
ed and the living bereft of homes and
clothing, Gov. Foraker had all of Ohio's
tents on the scene of the f.wful disaster
within thirty hours, before the people of
Pennsylvania, stunned iy the terrible
blow, had sufficiently recovered to ask
for aid, and Ohio by his promptness led
in the assistance there rendered. Allen |
o. Myers telegraphet that too much
credit could not be given GOV. Foraker
for his prompt and intelligent action,
and that all through that fated Cone
maugh Valley Pennsylvanians slept un-
der white tents bearing the word "Ohio."