The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-27
DEMOCRATS IN OHIO.
Postponement Of the State Conven-
ton Heartily Approved by
the Party Leaders.
Gov. Campbell Gaining Party
Strength and viii Doubtless
Head the Ticket.
His Strong Opposition In Hamilton Coun-
ty Overbalanccd in the Rural Dis
tricts-Tho Party Confident

CLEVELAND, June 26.-The wisdom of
postponing the date of the democratic state
convention becomes more apparent as the
season goes on. The republicans enter the
field early and thresh over the old straw
about democratic extravaganza and the
like. while the democratic leaders are re-
serving their heaviest fusillades until later
in the canvass, when more interest is taken
and the effect will be more marked. 1t was
part of Gov. Campbell's plan for his own
campaign and was a good thing for both
himself and his party. BY it he has been
able to tire out most of the opposition to
himself i'll the party, and he will undoubt-
eddy be q stronger candidate for it.
The attention which has naturally been
drawn to the republican preliminary can
vass has allowed some phases of
the contest for the democratic nomi-
natiyn to pass almost unnoticed. The
bluster of the Cincinnati gang led the pub
lie to expect something notable, but the re-
suits have been comparatively inconsequen-
tial. Gov. Campbell has shown great
strength everywhere in the rural districts.
and. in spite of gang opposition. has cap
tured practically q solid delegation from
Columbus. He is certain to be indorsoa in
this county, if present indications count
for anything, while advioes from Toledo
and Dayton show that he possesses more
strength in both cities than he did two
years ago. The opposition to him centres
in Hamilton county, vet it IS by no means
likely that I. Il. Neal will receive a solid
delegation even there. 1t is insisted that
these primaries were held under circum-
stances that will faint the delegation that
was elected last night. 1t is a gang del
egation and may be thrown out on the
ground of irregularity.
There can be no doubt that Gov. Camp
bell is incomparably stronger in his party
now than two years ago, when he defeated
Neal for the nomination by such a narrow
margin, and Neal has unuuestionably made
the political mistake of his life in entering
the lists against the governor. The basis
on which the representation in the conven-
ton is figured adds materially to Camp
BELLS strength. The apportionment of
delegates naturally is fixed by the demo-
cratic vote of last year. This reduces the
power of Hamilton county by at least 20
per cent. and justly Furnishes the gang for
the merciless way in which it deserted the
party last fall. Hamilton will have but
ffty-nine votes. while Franklin will have
twenty-five and Cuyahoga torty-one. This
is an important factor in the struggle for
the nomination. Had Hamilton seventy or
seventy-fve votes, as usual, its prestige
would be increased in much greater pro-
portion than the increase in it's numerical
strength.
1t does not seem likely that the printed
circulars and appeals against the governor
will have any material effect on his chances
for either nomination or election. In the
nature of the case he is stronger than Neal.
Not only has he the control of the party
organization, which is in itself no incon-
siderable source of strength, but he is very
popular in the rural districts add will poll
an unusually large vote there, in all proba-
bility. This is most important. The fail
ure of the Farmers union to put a peoples
ticket in the field leaves discomfort to man
ifest itself in individual action. This some
of the leading members of the farmers Or
CARNATIONS are warmly advocating. Seere-
tary Crawford of the State Non-Secret al
lance, recently stated it's position as fol-
lows:
I'VE are non-partisan and give our peo-
pie the opportunity of discussing every
phase of politics, urging them to get all the
information they can and act independent
~. An alliance man is at liberty to vote as
he pleases.''
The Ohio Farmer, which is the most in
6uential organ of the farmers in the state,
editorially urges independent individual
i III RoAlplSal LAdUtSlS, allu tCldEGS
that what is wanted is the independence of
thought and action on the part of q voter
THAT will repudiate any principle of a
party in which he does not believe. and that
will deny support to any man who does not
represent his principles or command his re-
speot and confidence; the kind that will not
wear party chains without complaint, but
will rise above this blind subsefviency and
think and act for ITSELF" This is of great
significance, because it indicates the strong
likelihood that q multitude of farmers
would support Campbell in the event of his
nomination. On the other hand, Neal can
not be nominated except as the representa-
tive of the Cincinnati gang, which would
dlscredlt him and weaken the party in every
rural district in the state.
The most important influence of the
farmers organizations promises to be eYer-
clsed III the senatorial contest. These
orders are growing very rapidly. In sixteen
months the Open or N~on-Secret alliance
has grown from twenty to 9l2 sub-alliances,
and now has a membership of about 80, 600.
The Secret alliance and Industrial union,
which favors independent political action,
has also grown with remarkable rapidity.
At the time the Ocala Ella. convention
was held last December this organization
had comparatively little strength in the
state, while the open alliance was very
prosperous. Since then $50 sub-alliances of
the secret order have been organized, and
the gain in membership has been II, 600.
State Lecturer A. ID. Foster is authority for
the statement that tho Secret alliance now
has 100 organizers at work in Ohio and
expects a great increase in membership be-
fore autumn.
Almost with one accord, the alliance
leaders, both of the secret and open orders,
are hostile to senator Sherman, and in
some of the republican strongholds have
declared against him. This has occurred
in the nineteenth congressional district.
where the nominal republican majority is
1900, and whAch is almost exclusively agri-
cultural, and other sections have taken or
promise to take like action. There is no
concealipg tho fact that Senator Sherman's
friends. IN spite of all their confidence IN
bis superb organization and his proverbial
political sagacity, are very anxious over his
chances for reelection, both because Of the
hostility of the farmers and of the rivalry
which may be expected from ex-Gov. Fora
ker and probably from other aspirants.
%'lcicle" John will have no chance to get
chilly this year if he secures a reelection.
The events of the recent Columbus conyeu-
ton, however, would seem to indicate that
he will be shelved.
The chances are strongly in favor of
democratic victory in Ohio this fall. not
wlthstanding the hurrah with which Nc
klnley has been nominated. The enthusi-
Esm of that occasion was largely manufac-