Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-30
THE OHIO CAMPAIGN
Claims Made by Both Democrats
and Republicans.
A Big MAJORITY TO OVERCOME
Weaknesses Charged in Both
Political Parties.
FEATURES OF THE CANVASS


CINCINNATI, OCTOBER .jU.-.AS
county, which includes Cincinnati, can be
fairly taken a criterion of the political
situation in the state of Ohio, summarized
statement of the condition as it exists here
may interest the readers of The Star In
making this statement the writer but voices
the consensus of opinion of half dozen
leading and prominent politicians of The
two opposing parties. 1t has been my good
fortune, through connections happily made,
10 have the politicians talk frankly upon
the outlook, and it is this very openness of
expression upon their part which prevents
the quoting of names.
Inasmuch as in this instance the burden
of proof may be said to lie upon the demo-
Gratis to make good their case the opening
chapter will be devoted to presenting the
causes which they claim will contribute to
their. victory After that the republicans
will be heard in rebuttal.
I'll Democratic Chance.
1 have not found any we'll posted demo-
crat who honestly believes that his party
is sure to carry the state of Ohio, electing
a governor and legislature. in the coming
election. All of them think the republican
majority will be considerably reduced, and
that there is a fighting chance, although
remote, of carrying the state. The most
conservative estimate comes from man
who is probably the best posted of all with
whom I have talked. ard his idea is that
the democrats have one chance in three.
The fact that Ohio al the last election
gave republican majority of 131ao. and
that under normal conditions the state is
republican by 2o,o10, demands explanation
of these rose-colored fancieS and hopes of
democratic victory. The explanation
given to the writer is about as follows:
In the first place confidence in Mr.. Camp
bell the democratic candidate for governor,
as good camDaigner, ''favorite SON
and all-around political hustler, forms the
basis. His followers believe that he is the
one man in the state who can unity here
tofore existing dssensions in the party,
arouse the sluggish, dissatisfied, stay-at-
home clement that was largely responsible
for last years defeat, and whip the party
INTO line to present solid front to the
enemy.
1t is believed that the return of good
times, the revival of business and the end
of the great industrial depression will draw
out the Stay-at-home democratic vote and
call back the erring brethren who went
a-straying after republican idols last fall.
The basis for this belief here lies in the
fact that there has been an increase of
t,oJo in the registration in Cincinnati this
fall. a majority of which, it is claimed. has
developed in democratic precincts The
democratic managers are honest in their
belief that there mas been much greater
increase in the democratic registration This
fall than in the republican. 1t is claimed
the republicans are suffering from fractional
differences over local boss.
The Shcrman-Fornker Feud.
One of the main features of the demo-
cratic hope of protitng by republican d.f-
ferences is the old Sherman-Foraker feud
which, it is said has been revived ny re-
cent events, namely. the publishing of Sen
ator Sherman's memoirs, in which he re-
fers to the alleged betrayal of his presi-
DENTAL interests by certain Ohio poliJi-
clans. 1t is we'll known, of course, that
the republicans Ct this state have practi-
cally Endorsed the candidacy of Mr.. For
aker for the United States Senate. The
campaign for the legislature is being viz
tually conducted upon the understanding
that if the legislature is republican Mr..
Foraker will come to the Senate. 1t is also
we'll understood, although far from. being
expressed that Senator Sherman does not
want Mr.. Foraker for a colleague. Senator
Sherman'S followers and friends are of the
same mind. If republican President
should be elected it is claimed they would
rather have Mr.. Sherman in sole control of
the patronage for the state. even at the
expense of having one democratic Senat or,
than to see Mr.. ForakerAcome in to divide
the patronage.
In democratic quarters great stress is
being laid upon the appearance of Senator
Sherman'S spicy memoirs at this time. and
the belief is openly expressed that he
lengthy references TO the affair which re-
suited in Mr.. Sher1nan's defeat and Mr..
Garfields nomination will revive the SLIM
ber:ng recoliection2 of that incident and
arouse the Sherman republicans through
out the state to action against the Foraker
campaign. If they can simply be irrita led
to the point of not voting for the Foraker
candidates for the legislature, the demo-
Gratis will be profoundly grateful.
In Hamilton county the republican boss
is George Cox. Foraker man. the demo-
Gratis claim there is disaffection to him
firSf he lS m
much of a boss, and, second, because he is
fer Mr. Foraker. At the same time they
fear him like his Satanic majesty is sup
posed to fear holy water, and are lying
awake of nights trying to catch up with
his methods.
What They Claim.
The democrats claim that if they can poll
nirety per cent of their vote they can carry
the state. At this stage of the game they
complain bitterly of lack of funds neces
sary to carry on the legitimate work of
getting the vote to the polls. The most
significant feature of the situation to an
outsider is the fact that the democrats be-
lieve they have little chance of winning,
if they can get their people to vote. This is
Ire to nerve them to unusual efforts to
draw out the full strength of the party on
election day, and will undoubtedly have
beneficial result.
Efforts are being made by the democrats
to 1OlSt upon Their opponents TIE Iespohsi-
bility for urging an excise law obnoxious
to the class OF people fond of their beer
and personal liberty. A bill in the last
legislature giving to one voting precinct in
a township the right to overcome the ma
iority in the matter of local option is laid
a the door of the republicans, who, how
ever, resent the imputation 1t is claimed
that vote of some magnitude is being in
fuenced by arguments upon this line. Some
of the conservative democrats however,
fear it may prove Il two-edSed sword cut
ting both ways. for while republican re-
sponsibility for the attempt might ALLEVIATE
the drinking classes, it would attract votes
from opposing sources.
The Republican Case.
In rebuttal of the democratic claims thus
set forth the republicans offer a general
denial. They set their standard of victory
on the top of that $4,000 majority of last
year, and say, Come and take it, if you
can; you must do some great climbing to
get over that stack of votes to the good"
They admit that the democrats lost some
thing last fall from Stay-at-home vote,
but claim that they also We're represented
in that element, and that the outpourlng
.b, f,n Of incl Iia ON,