The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-06-26
4 BOON EoR ron lohNson.
- EaepublicAn Paper Nominntes ! Demo.
cratic Candidate For p-resRden&.

~ RepubilcAn Papex Naminntes : DrmO-
cratic Candidate For p~resaaenk.s
The Democrats of northern Ohio are
just now taking an unusual interest III
the great political tragedy which their
party Is placing upon the boards of the
national theater at Washington. Their
chagrin al 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 1893. They win IA
vor only such d candidate for the presi-
dency as win voice this sentiment. Al
general opinion prevails here that the
man whose political course has been con-
sistent and who has the best claim to
the honor of q Democratic nomination il
an Ohioan. He is free trader, q single
tax advocate and Henry George adher-
ent. That Ohio Democrat il Congress.
man Tom L. johnson of the Twenty
first district. This sentiment, thus far,
Is confined to northern Ohio. Two ar
guments are 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 the
Cleveland administration as is ex-Gov-
rno Campbell, but much nearer than
Senator Brice.
There are many reasons why Demo
Gratis think there is reason to believe the
nomination is coming west of the Ale
ghany mountains. Ohioans say the party
must not go too far west. They believe
the Republicans will find their candidate
In northern Ohio and in the person of
Governor Mckinley, and why, say the
Democrats, should we not find our lead
CIR on the same ground? They say, too,
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 i'm characterizing
Congressman johnson. He is a Napo-
leon," declared the Judge. HE is am
bilious to be a Vanderbilt and equally
ambitious to be president of the United
States. He will be a Vanderbilt, and he
may be president of the United States
Judge Blandin's views will find APP
prevail 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 Cesar, he Is am
bilious.
He is q man Of immense wealth and at
the same time has q big following among
the laboring classes. BY q display Of
frankness ut least he has made for him
self Q substantial following. Tom L.
johnson occupies q 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 poll
tics is novelty. 1t is especially difficult
for Ohio Democrats to find a leader Just
now whose views are known. In John
con a leader has been found whose polit-
ical creed Is as clearly outlined and as
fearlessly proclaimed as is the creed Of
Governor Mckinley. whom Ohioans, re-
gardless Of party, have come TO call the
logical candidate Of the Republicans for
the great contest of 1895. The only ques-
ton which Democrats here are consid-
ing is as to whether the views Of the sin
gle tax member from Ohio win meet
with the approval OF the convention
which win be called upon to name the
leader.
Ohio Democrats have gone into many
conventions heretofore with a delegation
divided among itself. There have been
McLeans and Thnrmans, Paynes and
Pendletons, and today there are Brices
and Campbells. Factions, fatal fac
lions, have marked the conventions Of
Democrats Of Ohio for 90 years. The
man who belongs TO no faction and who
has not grown too great by feeding upon
the meat OF ambition viii be q star act
or In the Democratic farce comedy Of the
summer or 1890. The name OF Tom L.
Johnson seems 10 start d spirit Of IA
thusiasm among the faction OF 4skidsD
and "mossbacks" 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
i'm obscurity. He made o few fortunate
investments in street car enterpriseswith
his limited means. He has ~quadrupled
his fortune about every two years. Six
years ago no entered politics with a well
filled barrel and a first class following.
He met with defeat. Two years later he
tried il 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 10 this single
fact that causes apprehension among his
friends. If hecan overcome party oppo-
sition. no may get his seat IN congress
onc more.
A prominent Cleveland Democrat, Just
returned from the state capital tonight,
stated that the political battlefield Of the
nation was going to center In Ohio Tor
the next two years. He drew j. little d.
Agfam Of the political battlefield about
Ike this: aJ0hn r. Mclean, editor or
the Cincinnati Enquirer, Win b y can
didzte for the senate u succeed Calvin
3. Brice. I am absolutely certain Of
- ~ 80