Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-05
A NEW OHIO DISTRICT.
The Congressional Ticket is Being Very
Closely FOuGht-Two Conflicting Estimates.
Correspondence Of The Evening s,s-

The Congressional Ticket il Being Very
Closely Fought-Two Conflicting Estimates.
Correspondence of The Evening star.
BELLAIRE. OHIO, Nov. 4. 1892
The campaign in this, the sixteenth, congress
sional district is drawing to close with both
sides more than usually firm and assured of
success. The candidates are Col Christian L.
Poorman, republican; Albert J. Pearson, demo-
crat; John b. France, populist, and Hiram
Cope, prohibitIonist.
This id q new district, created BY the last
republican legislature, but the counties COM
posing it have been together before under other
serrymanders. and tits supposed to give repub-
lican majority of about 800 Col. Poorman is
now secretary of state by appointment of Gov
Mckinley. He has been a candidate for Con-
gress either in nomination or before conyen-
ton, twelve times, bat he was never
elected but once. His republican record
Is somewhat clouded. he having run for
Congress on the same ticket with Horace
Greeley in 1872. 4 very severe fight was made
on him before the nominating convention by a
large section Of his own party. the episode of
1872 being the chief argument used against him.
The prospects of his election. however seem to
be very good. though the majority will not be
the normal republican ma jurity o; the district
Nr. Pearson was a member of the last Con-
gress. but was elected in a democratic district
created by the democratic legislature of the
year before. His record is clear and lac stands
an equal chance with Poorman 70 far as the
soldier vote is concerned. both having served
with honor in the Union army.
France and Cope have neither of them made
any very energetic fight for votes and neither
is likely to poll more than the strength of his
party Populists and prohibitionists are both
scarce in this district and will not cut any i'm
portant figure in the election
TWO CONFLICTING ESTIMATES.
Both Poorman and Pearson have made
estimates Of the result. and have given them
publicity. but the figures bear evidence of hav-
ing been created for the purpose of boosting up
their respective followers. Poorman's claims
on majorities are as follows: Belmont county.
GOO republican Carroll. 700 republican; Har-
rison, 700 republican: jefferson, 800 republi-
cam Monroe. 1,sOo democratic; giving
him plurality Of 1000 Pearson
figures are: Belmont. 200 republican; Car
roll. 400 republican: Harrison, 500 republican:
Jefferson. 1.2C0 republican; Monroe. 2, 450 dem
ocratic; giving Pearson plurality Of $50. 1t
will be seen that Pearson only figures for him
self very small margin and unless he has been
extremely careful there is no hope for him. On
the other hand Poormans figures are undoubt-
edly high for the republican counties and low
for Monroe. The indications at this time are
very good for Poormans election by major
ity somewhere in the neighborhood of one thou
sand or possibly less. The democrats are san
guine VI their ability 10 greatly reduce the re-
publican majority and have been working most
zealously and effectively.
A rather interesting incident in connection
with this congressional campaign is the conten-
ton Of Col W. A. Taylor. democratic candi-
date for secretary Of state. that Col Poorman.
being secretary Of state and ex-oficio commits
sioner Of elections. cannot, while holding such
office be n candidate for any Office beforo tho
people. for the reason that as election commits
sioner he is called upon to pass upon his own
election. No action has been taken in the mat
ter and Col. Poorman's only reply is that a
man who knows SO little about matters gen.
orally viii make very poor secretary Of state
Col Taylor's point il thought by democrats
generally to be well taken, and there is pos
sibility Of the question Of Col PoorInan g
eligibility being brought before the house Of
representatives in case il il democratic