The Portland daily press., 1894-05-26
(From the Chicago Tribune.)

(From the Chicago Tribune.)
Cleveland, May 2O.-The Democrats of
northern Ohio are just now taking an unus-
ual interest in the great political tragedy
which their party is placing upon the boards
of the national theatre at Washington
Their chagrin 1T the failure of their party
keep its pledges knows no bounds. They
are in favor of radical reduction of the
tariff, and upon that line they are massing
their forces for 1896. They will favor only
such candidate for the Presidency as will
voice this sentiment. A general opinion
prevails here that the man whose political
course has been consistent and who has the
best claim to the honor of a Democratic
nomination is an Ohioan. He is a free trad
er, single tax advocate, and a Henry
George adherent. That Ohio Democrat is
Congressman Tom johnson of the Twenty
first district. This sentiment thus far is
confined to northern Ohio. Two arguments
are advanced in favor of johnson by his
followers. He is absolutely consistent, and
is not prominently connected with any par
ticular faction of his party in Ohio. He is
not as near to the Cleveland: Administrative
as is ex-Gov. Campbell, but lhuch nearer
than Senator Brice.
Judge E. J. Blandin of Cleveland, who
stands among the most Influential party adj
visers OF the State, made significant re-
mark the other day in characterizin.s Con-
gresham johnson. He is Napoleon
declared the Judge. HE is ambitious to be
Vanderbilt and equal, ambitious to be
President of the United States. He will be
Vanderbilt and he may be President of
the United States.''
Judge Plandin's views will find approval
in many minds. Men who know johnson
admire him. Like the immortal Blaine he
is magnetic; like President Cleveland ne
cares for no party faction; but like great
Caesar, he is ambitious.
He is man Of immense wealth, and at
the same time has big following among
the laboring classes. By display of frank
ness. at least, he has made for himself a
substantial following. Tom L. johnson oc-
cupies unique position in Ohio politics.
The boldness of his views has fascinated
men who hold opinions entirely at variance
with his own. an outspoken warrior in the
arena of politics is novelty. 1t is espec-
tally difficult for Ohio Democrats to find a
leader just now whose views are known.
In johnson leader has been found whose
political creed as is clearly outlined and
as fearlessly proclaimed as is the creed of
Gov. Mckinley, whom Ohioans, regardless
of party. have come to call the logical can
didate of the Republicans for the great
contest of 1896. The only question which
Democrats here are considering is as to
whether the views of the single tax member
from Ohio will meet with the approval of
the Convention which will be called upon
to name the leader.
Ohio Democrats shave gone into many
Conventions heretofore with a delegation
divided among itself. There have been
McLeans and Humans, Paynes and Pen
dletons, and to-day there are Brices and
Campbells. Factions, fatal factions, have
marked the Conventions of Democrats of
Ohio for twenty years. The man who be-
longs to no faction, and who is not grown too
great by feedingsupon the meat of ambition.
will be a star actor in the Democratic farce
comedy of the summer of '96. The name
of Tom L. johnson seems to start a spirit of
enthusiasm among the factions of kids
and 'mossbacks'' alike, and it would not
take much to start his political stock NOV
ing skyward.
Therise of Congressman Johnson.sha been
remarkable. Ten years ago he was in OBJ
security. He made a few fortunate invest
mentsin street car enterprises with his
limited means. He has quadrupled his for
tune about every two years. Six years ago
he entered politics with well filed barrel
and a first-class following He met with de-
feat. Two years later he tried it and won
Heaawas reelected over the Hon. o. J. Hodge
and he will be nominated once more with
out opposition this fail. He will have to
work against disrupting factions, and it is
this single fact that causes apprehension
among his friends. If he can overcome par
ty opposition he may get his seat in Con-
gress once more. prominent Cleveland
Democrat, just returned from the State CAP
ital tonight, stated that the political bat
tlefeld of the nation was going to centre
il Ohio for the next two years. He drew a
diagram of the political battlefield about
like this: John R. Mclean, editor of the
Cincinnati Enquirer, will be a candidate
/ am absolutely certain of this fact Sena-
tor Brice will be Presidential candidate
and SO will Tom l.. johnson. Ex-Goy.
Campbell can expee.. aothing, for he is
faithlsa- to his friends, and does not remem
Der tnem. johnson is a stronger man in
Ohio than Brice. Both are rich and both
are fighters. Neither Will yield until beaten.
johnson will VIM
1t is generally conceded that the prelimi
nary skirmish for johnson is to be made
this fall. If he can overcome party factions
and Republican majority in his own Con.
gressional district he will be leading G.. n
didate before the Democratic Convention
of 1896.