Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-11
THE OHIO SITUATION.
Peculiar Features Mark the Big
Political Fight Now On.
THE ADVANTAGE OF M'KINLEY,
With Strong, United Party Behind Him,
Not to Be Despised.
THE PROBABLE REPUBLICAN TICKET

COLUMBUS, June 10.-No newspaper mar
of this State has a more varied and wide
spread acquaintance among the leading pol
iticians of both parties than Samuel j,
Flickinger, editor of the State Journal, Of
this city. Speaking of the political situa'
tion, he said to-day:
$50 far as the candidates for the Cover.
norship are concerned, most peculiar posi-.
Z tion exists here in Ohio. The Republican
party has never had candidate before like
Mckinley. One who is the choice of the
whole people, and who will be nominated
by reclamation in the convention next week.
The honor has always heretofore been Wig
orously conteSted-that is, for the first term
but this time Major Mckinley is SO un-
mistakably the choice, and so prominently
our leader, that he is accepted as naturally
as the sunrise.
On the other hand, the popularity exists
in the Democratic incumbent, Governor
Campbell, having to fight with his party for
8 second term. This state of things was
heretofore unknown. Usually, the first
nomination is a free-for-all, and the second
conceded. This year the first is conceded,
and the second free-for-all
McKinley's Big Advantage.
"Under these conditions Mckinley will
enter upon his candidacy with the unani-
nous and enthusiastic support of his party,
and Campbell-for think he will unques-
tionably be the nominee-with a badly
fractured organization to handicap him in
his fight against the most popular leader in
Ohio.
''Now, under the circumstances, were it
not for the uncertain element of the Peo-
pies party and the farmers movement,
there would be no doubt that Major Nc
kinley would have the largest majority
given a candidate for Governor in this State
since the war, and while these elements are
doubtful, l don't concede they can change
the result. The Democrats will make a
great fight for the Legislature, and en-
deavor to so use the Peoples party, and to
work upon the Farmers Alliance as to
catch the Republicans mapping and defeat
their choice for United States Senator
Complexion of Ohio Counties.
''Of the SO counties in this State, about 20
are considered doubtful or close counties,
and the political complexion of the Legis-
lature depends upon the result in those
counties. Among these doubtful counties
are Hamilton, Cuyahoga and Lucas, in
which are situated, Cincinnati, Cleveland
ment or the Peoples party will not affect at
all
''There are, however about Is of these
close counties which consist largely of a
rural population, and in these, if the nomi-
nees OF the Republican party are not such
men as are satisfactory to the farming ele-
ment, they will go to the Democrats for a
nominee of their choice. They will point
edly say to the Republicans, in counties
where the Democrat have small majority;
nominate farmer and we will help elect
him. And vice versa where the Republi-
cans have a majority, because the fusion
will nearly always be with the minority.
There Is great danger that the farmers
will hold the balance of power In this com
ing Leg stature. There is more probability
that they will have this power in the
House than in the Senate, but if they sue
ceeC In working it, they may hold the bal
anCe OF power on the joint ballot for SEN
ator.
A Popular Vote for Senator.
II favor a popular vote for United States
Senator, while l am not in favor of the
State Convention indorsing a man. A
State political convention is not the proper
place to cody deliberate and wisely decide
upon Senatorial candidate. Men are apt
to mistake noise for enthusiasm, and any
strOng-lunged delegation may impress a
convention that it has the people behind it.
II do not believe that the farmers are so
inimical TO Senator Sherman as the Demo-
cratic press would have us think. The
farmers are not SO desirous of securing con-
troll of the Legislature to compass anyone's
Senatorial defeat, ,as they are to secure legis-
latiOn for agricultural interests. really
believe that they would trade on the Sena-
torship for some of their bills TO modify the
system of State taxation.
Il am inclined to the opinion, so well ex-
pressed IN HE DISPATCH, of General
beatty and Secretary Ryan, that the nomi-
nation of third party ticket in this State
would benefit the Republican party
What effect will the more moderate de-
mands Of the farmers have upon the forma
tion Of the coming Republican PLATFORM"
''On State issues the platform should. and
without doubt will, be made comprehensive
enough to conform to the more reasonable
demands of the farmers, notably in certain
matters of taxation. p"
The Probable Republican Ticket,
The Republican State ticket appears to be
revealing itself. The principal contest is
Tor the Lieutenant Governorship. More
interest attaches to it now than usual from
the probability that Mckinley NAV be
called to higher Office during his term and
the Lieutenant Governor succeed to the
Governorship. 1t has been tacitly COM
ceded that the Office would be given to a
farmer There are four very prominent
candidates: Hon. Charles P. Griffin, of
Lucas, real estate dealer; General A. L.
Harris lawyer and farm owner of Prebfe
county; John w. Barger, a mill owner and
farmer Of Pike, and d. NJ Barrett, a farmer
OF Highland county.
Before the bewildering music of the bands
and the seductive voices of the candidates
swerve my judgment from my information,
] want to put on record as the careful esti-
mate of many well-informed and unbiased
people, the following as more than likely
the ticket:
Governor, William Mckinley, Jr., of |
Stark; Lieutenant Governor, D. NJ. Barrett, |
of Highland; State Auditor, E. w. Poe, of |
Wood, second term; Treasurer, S. B. Camp |
bell, of Jefferson; Supreme Judge, NJ. I. |
Williams, of Fayette; Attorney General, |
f. +. d. Albery, of Franklin; School Com |
missioner, William 2. Mathews, of Gallia; |
Dairy and Food Commissioner, f. A. Dur
thick, Of Portage; Member Board Public |
Works, c. E. Groce, of Pickaway, or S. S.
Troup, of Montgomery. This slate is well
distributed as to locality and looks prob
able.