Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-08
A MIXED SITUATION.
The Republicans Badly Split Up Into
Factions in Ohio.
GOVERNOR FORAKER's AMBITION.
BE Wants the Executive Nomination and
the State SenatorShip, Too.
DANGER OF A DEMOCRATIC VICTORY
nrrc1AL rrnrenAM 70 THE spAron. /

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.l
FINDLAY, June THE fact that the
Republican State Convention will meet in
less than three weeks to nominate a candi-
date for Governor and seven minor State
officers, is giving the politicians of that
party considerable food for speculation as to
who among the many candidates for the first
place on the ticket is likely to secure the big
prize; and the significance such selection
will have on the greater and morejmportant
contest next winter in the General Assembly
and also to be elected this fall-oVer
choosing successor to the Hon. Henry B.
| Payne in the United States Senate.
| 1t is hardly necessary to preface what fol-
lows by saying that the Republicans of Ohio
are divided into factions and camps, each
| suspicious and Jealous of the other and all
consumed by the fear that the convention
which meets in Columbus on the 25th inst.
will make a blunder in nominating a man
| for Governor who, in his personality and
associations, will be at once recognized as
the representative of some one of the 'tBig
Four" combination, which still assumes to
control the party in this State by cutting
each others throats whenever opportunity
offers. The result Of nomination dictated
by either Foraker, Foster. Butterworth or
Mckinley, leaving John Sherman out of
the deal, need hardly be predicted.
1t goes without the saying that the sew
eral defeated factions would encompass the
downfall of such candidate at the polls,
and consider they were performing re-
ligious duty in so doing, thus permitting
the Democrats to carry the State and the
Legislature, as they have not failed to do
in each year succeeding a Presidential cleo
ton since 1868, perpetuating in this way
Ohio's Democratic representation in the
United States Senate, which has virtually
been unbroken for almost three decades.
A PROMINENT FEATURE.
In the light of this fear, which has ap-
peared at every county convention for the
selection of delegates thus far held, and
which is present at every conference Of the
party, nothing of a definite character has
made itself manifest upon which to rest
predictions as to who will likely receive the
nomination for Governor. There are candi-
dates enough, but whether they are out for
the nomination, or simply as the tools of
the factions which are scheming for the
Senatorship, is what fills the heart of the
average Republican-who honestly desires
the success Of his party regardless of in
diViduals-with uneasiness and grave
apprehension. Uneasiness as to the ulti-
mate result, and apprehension that, in the
multiplicity of candidates, the friends of
Foraker-the ofiee-holding element-may
spring his name upon the convention for a
third term, and upon the failure to harmon
ize on anyone else accomplish his nom-
ination before the second, sober effect of |
such s.step can be realized, and the danger
averted. That Foraker would accept a
nomination, secured under such circum-
stances, no one who is acquainted with his |
vaulting ambition doubts.
1t is said, and generally believed, that |
among the II or 13 announced candi- |
dates for Governor whose names will !
be presented to the convention, outside |
OF O'Neil and Vance there is not a man in |
the field but would rather Foraker received |
the nomination than that any of his COM
petitors should carry off the capital prize. |
This gives color to the charge, which has |
been made and not denied, that Foraker has |
induced number of these gentlemen to be- |
come candidates for Governor with this un- |
derstanding: that he, Foraker, is ultimately |
to receive the nomination.
HIS LITTLE GAME.
The uncertainty and fear which at present |
so plainly dominate the rank and file of |
the party indicate the general belief |
that this is the ambitious Governors |
scheme, through which he hopes to down |
the other members of the "Big Four COM
bine and secure for himself the United States
Senatorship, upon which his eve has been
fixed ever since he became theatrical and
picturesque feature in the peculiar politics
of Ohio. But through all this doubt and |
fear and mist and gloom, one thing shines
out as clear and bright as the sun at noon.
and that is this: The Republicans are going
into the campaign badly handicapped, with
gloomy forebodings of defeat and without a
spark of enthusiasm. They have, as vet.
no definite ideas as to candidates or prin-
ciples.
The only thing that has entered into the
contest thus far has been the spolls, and
upon that issue the party is so hopelessly
divided that it the Democrats only exhibit
ordinary horse sense in the formation of
their ticket and platform they will sweep
the State from the lakes to the river, and
elect not only the Governor and other State
officers. but the General Assembly as well,
and thus continue Ohio's Democratic repre-
sentation in the United States Senate.
To sum up: the Republicans of the Buck
eye State were never in more demoralized
condition at the beginning of any campaign
in the history of the party, and unless the
unexpected happens at the Columbus con-
vention, Harrison's administration will re-
ceive such a backset in November as will
hardly cause the President to bless the State
in which he first saw the light of day.