Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-04
ONO.

Ohio.
The most interesting Of tho elections
now near at hand and .hc most important
O. tho people of the whole country will be
that in Ohio. or perhaps We should say
those in Ohio. 1t IL conceded 10y the Re-
publicans tina. the result OF the next ,resi-
dental election may turn on the result oil
the approaching Ohio contest.
As Mr.. 81 liNE sand IL his recent Ie',er,
two Of the issues N Ohio are protection
and the free coinage Of silver. lie seemed
70 think that these were tho Only issues of
any Importance. Perhaps i would be a.
lowahle 10 characterize these rs Issues IN
the first degree ana the other questions in
volved in the current campaign "a Issues
81 the second degree. There IL United
States senator 70 be chosen by the Legs
ia.ure 10 be elected next month. That il
no. small matter. SHERMAN and FoEAKKn
ere the Republican competitors for this
honor; but We take il Tor granted that the
former Will be his own successor If the
Republicans elect a majority Of the mem
bers Of the Legislature. Il would be out
Cf the usual order Of things for such man
70 he superseded by new man Of hi. own
party.
One Of the issues which we have STYLED
issues IN tho second degree involves the
very nature Of our form II government
and the question whether the people nrs
capable Of governing themselves. Little
or nothing las been sad il regard to the
matter OF which we speak, though it seems
A. Ia 10 lst L.
Legislature Will be called upon to at upon
Il whether the onc or tho other party shall
have control Of both houses Of the
Legislature We say both houses be-
cause United States senator will
have 10 he elected whether one
party controls both houses or one party
cou:rols each house. The important mat
Ter TO which We refer is the dl.irictiDc
Of the State of Ohio for the election q
electors Of President and Wee President
Of the United States. The las. Democratic
Legislature of Michigan Glstrictei that
tiate so as to enable the Democrats to
elect Away. some o. the electors Of Presi-
dent. 1t u not impossible that ;he el'cto-
cal votes thus secured to the democrats
might turn the scale next year N favor
Of the Democratic nominee fer President
80 the Republicans in ONO VIII, If they
cary the legislature next month. district
their State SO ns TO insure the election II
o. la..e number % pos,lble Of HopubA-
can electors Of Presidents. There l. no
doubt abou, the power OF the Legislature
- to DO. Tho Constitution Of the United
States provides tha. each State shall APP
point in such manner as the Legislature
thereof NAV direct" tho electors Of rrcs!-
dent AMI Vice Pres dent for that State. Up
g. the year 1SC) ihe electors were chosen
g. South Carolina hy the Legs aturc.
II is literally true Therefore. that the
capacity Of tie people Tor se.i-goytrDmeut
J. involved N tins matter. Iae lesisla-
lures % all the S,a'c., whether they lie
democratic bodies or Republican bod.os,
will before 1876 80 into the business Of
1resident-mak.ng. No legislature VIII Toe
content 20 exercise less power than oil that
II has. And 80 We sAaI hni these bodies
passing laws which viii enable the ono or
TIE other party 10 elect al the electors Of
President in States where ,uch course Is
practicable and GONE # them where i -
Yraeiicable 10 cleo; only ABORTION of them.
Where will such strategy end? We might
answer that il will end in proving tina, the
people are not capable II self government.
The frat meeting on the stump Of Nc
EiNirY and C.MrBELL viii be next Thurs
day. They will then manUuyre for posi-
ton. Mr.. CAYpHELL is not as bod in his
advocacy Of the silver question as ~ ALLEN
W. Thurman, the son Of the nob.e.t
Roman Of :hen ALL" and 50 may not he IS
successful as be ought 10 10 III unhorsing
lcKIxIrY. The latter, on the other hand,
will probably show disposition to discuss
the silver question moro than the tarif
question. The Republican papers -nota.
BY the New York IriJtme-s Init tina. Mr.
CAapBH1L is worthy Of Nj. McklNLEY's
steel. Ina calm review Of the situation.
N Ohio correspondent Of that paper says
4, IL too coon to indulge IN u forecast as 10
the result. Tins IA almost equal to
IN admission that CaMpBKLL's prospects
are the brightest. TIE reason assigned for
boub. Id ignorance OF the extent TO which
Ale Farmers Alliance movement las dis
hurled normal political relations in Ohio.
hhis reminds US that here in Virginia We
Nave Alliance men whose friendship and
eo-operation We must secure. Ohio may
be lost 10 the Republicans because they
are compelled to stand by the silver teach
lngs OF JONI SHIENAS in the United States
Senate; but Virginia is safe Democratic
ground go far a her JONI ". DAsIrL
Reaches finance. Virginia is fortunate, let
~ say once more, Ia not having to commit
herself this wear 10 tae schemes Of any
faction or party.
But what do We say o. 10 the prospec.in
Ohio? Well. we say what DANixL WEB
prrR's jackdaw in the s,ceple said-that is
nothing. We sometimes hattcr ourselves
that we ere sort Of political or party
prophet; bnt We sAal! not prophecy as to
The result ia Ohio.