The herald., 1894-06-17
A BOOM FOR TOM JOHNSON.
A Republican Paper Nominates Demo-
cratic Candidate For President.

just now taking an unusual interest in
the great political tragedy which theiR
party is placing upon the boards of tho
national theater at Washington. Their
chagrin at the failure Of their party to
keep its pledges knows no bounds. They
are in favor Of a radical reduction of the
tariff, and upon that line they are mass
ing their forces for 1895. They will ia.
Eor only such candidate for the presi-
dency as will voice this sentiment. A
general opinion prevails here that the
man whose political course has been con.
sistent and who has the best claim to
the honor of Democratic nomination 10
an Ohioan. He is free trader, single
tax advocate and Henry George adher-
ent. That Ohio Democrat is Congress-
iaan Tom L. johnson of the Twenty
first district. This sentiment, thus far,
is confined to northern Ohio. Two ar
guments a3e advanced in favor of John
son by his followers. He is absolutely
consistent and is not prominently con-
nected with any particular faction of his
party in Ohio. He is not as near to tho
Cleveland administration as is ez-Gov-
ernor Campbell, but much nearer than
Senator Brice.
There are many reasons why Demo-
Gratis think there is reason to believe tho
nomination is coming west of the ALLIE
ghany mountains. Ohioans say theparty
must not 60 too far west. They believe
the Republicans will find their candidate
in northern Ohio and in the person Of
MoLy ip1a xx-J,xv fha
Democrats, should we not find our Lead
er on the same ground? They say, toos
that no man in Ohio has been more pro-
nounced in his opposition to Governor
McKinley's views than has the free trade
representative of this district.
Judge e. j. Blandin of Cleveland, who
stands among the most influential party
advisers of the state, made a significant
remark the other day in charaeterizing
Congressman johnson. HE is Napo-
leon," declared the judge. "He is ann
bilious to be Vanderbilt and equally
ambitious to be president of the United
States. He will be Vanderbilt, and he
may be president of the United States"
Judge Blandin's views will find ap-
proval in many minds. Men who know
johnson admire him. Like the immor-
tai Blaine, he is magnetic; like Presi-
dent Cleveland, he cares for no party
faction; but, like great Caesar, he is ann
! ious.
10 is man of immense wealth and at
{ same time has bigfollowing among
laboring classes. By display Of
frlnlness at least he has made for him
self substantial following. Tom L.
johnson occupies unique position In
Ohio politics. The boIdness of his VIEWS
has fascinated men who hold opinions
entirely at variance with his own. An
outspoken warrior in the ARENA of polir
tics is a novelty. tits especially df6icnlt
for Ohio Democrats to find a leader inst
now whose views are known. hsJohm-
son leader has beenfound whose polit-
ical creed is as clearly outlined and as
fearlessly proclaimed as is the creed of
| Governor Mckinley, whom Ohioaus, re-
| gardless of party, have come to ean the
| logical candidate of the Republicans for
the great contest of 1885, The only ques-
ton which Democrats here are consid-
ing is as to whether the views of the sim
gle tax member from Ohio VIII meet
with the approval Of the convention
which will be called upon to name tho
leader.
Ohio Democrats have gone into many
conventions heretofore wath a delegation
divided among itself. There have been
McLeans and Thurmans, Paynes and
Pendletons, and today there are Brices
and Campbells. Factions, fatal fac
tions, have marked the conventions of
Democrats of Ohio for 20 years. The
man who belongs to no faction and who
has not grown too great by feeding upon
the meat of ambition will be star act
or in the Democratic farce comedy of the
summer of 1885, The name of Tom L..
johnson seems to start a spirit of en-
thusiasm among the faction of 'slSids''
and "mossbacls" alike, and it would
not take much to start his political
stock moving skyward.
The rise of Congressman Johnson has
been remarkable. Ten years ago he was
in obscurity. He made few fortunate
| investments in street car enterprises with
his limited means. He has quadrupled
his fortune about every two years. Six
years ago he entered politics with we'll
filed barrel and first class following.
He met with defeat. Two years later he
tried it and won. He was reelected over
the Hon. o. j. Hodge, and he will be
nominated once more without opposition
| this fall. He will have to work against
disrupting factions, and it is this single
! fact that causes apprehension among his
fir nds. If he can overcome party oppo-
E n. he may get his seat in congress
more.
7rominent Cleveland Democrat, just
ned from the state capital tonight,
d that the political battlefield of the
On was going to center in Ohio for
tt uext two years. He drew little di-
a. m Of the political battlefield about
like this, "John r. Mclean, editor of
the Cincinnati Enquirer, will be a CAM
didate for the senate to succeed Calvin
S. Brice. l am absolutely certain of
this fact. Senator Brice will be presi-
Dental candidate, and SO will Tom Il.
johnson. Ex-Governor Campbell can
expect nothing, for he is faithless to his
friends and does not remeynber them.
johnson is q stronger man IN Ohio than
Brice. Both are rich. and both are fight.
ers. Neither Will yield until beaten.
johnson will win"
1t is generally conceded that the pre-.
liminary slzirmish for johnson Is to be
,oada this fofl TO K .<x, <,x,..,-..,,,,,<,