Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-21
OHIO'S. NEXT RULER
=
A Lively Contest for the Republican
Nomination.
ALLEGED PLm,5iAGAINSr GEN. HARRIS
Little Goingss.o u in the Democratic
Ranks.
THE PARTY APATHETIC
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star.
COLUMBUS. Ohio. March 20. 1906.
The contest for the republican nomina-
ton for governor seems to have narrowed
down now to seven persons, with few
minor figures in the background, ready to
become full-fedged candidates, If there
should be a deadlock in the convention,
giving them reason to hope for success.
These seven are, in the order of their ap-
parent strength James H. Hoyt of Cleve-
land. George K. Nash of Columbus, ]. H.
Doyle of Toledo,J. Warren Keifar of Spring
field. E. w. Poe of Bowling Green, now
auditor of state, Asa 8. Bushnell of Spring.
field and Congressman Charles H. Gros-
venor of Athens. Two others, not avowed
candidates, but mentioned frequently in
connection with the nomination, are ex-
Congressman Henry L. Morey of Hamilton,
and Gen. A. L. Harris of Eaton, now lieu
tenant governor of the state.
The Plot Against Harris.
Gen. Harris was quite prominent as a
candidate for the gubernatorial nomination
last summer, but his candidacy suffered
severely in his defeat for Congress last fall
in the third district by Congressman Paul
]. Sorg. His nomination for Congress, 1t
was charged at the time, was 4 trick by
rivals for the gubernatorial nomination, in
tended to kill him eff by defeat. 1t was
regarded as almost impossible for the re-
publicans to defeat Sorg under any circum-
stances, and Harris did not want the NOM
ilation. The work Of the nominating con-
vention was hurried through, and Harris,
who was a delegate to the convention, was
nominated before he could reach the con-
vention hall. He could not well decline
then, though 1T is known that he was much
chagrined. The third district was the only
one in The state which the republicans
hoped to carry, or rather made claims
upon and failed to carry last fall, and the
blame apparently rested upon the cand-
date
In the Northern Section.
Hoyt is without competitor in the
northern part of the state, and he will have
the solid support Of that section, including
the western reserve, an intensely republ-
can district which is as distinctly Yankee
in its people and ways as Connecticut it
self. 1t is also in his favor that his part
of the state has not furnished governor
for over a quarter of century. While this
Is not a very potent argument to put be-
fore convention in which fierce contest
is going on, Mr.. Hoyt's friends are making
the most of it in the preliminary contest.
George K. Nash has an advantage in his
location. He Will have strong support from
the central countiss of the state, and dele
gates from other sections will naturally
gravitate toward him, when it is arpar-
cnt that their fWstchoice is an impossible
ity, rather than to candidates from remote
sections. He has been attorney general of
the state. and member of The supreme
court bench. While not an old man. he has
been in state politics for twenty years, and
is probably better Dknown than any other
candidate for the domination. He was an
avowed Sherman man inathe unfortunate
factiopal trouble that disrupted the repub-
lcans in the Atssseaatoriai contest, but
he has already declared for Foraker for
United States Senator next year, ard thus
won for himself the support of the Fora
ker men. -, .r
Judge j. H, boyle of Toledo is an able
man aud would prove strong candidate
the delegates frotnifn section of the state.
northwestern Ohio, will be divided between
him and Auditor of State Z. w. Poe. whose
home is in the adjoining county of Wood.
Poe is popular, and has proved to be what
is known in politics good mixer"
He is now serving his eighth year in the
auditors Office. -
If both Poe and Doyle remain in the race
it is not at all likely that either will be
nominated. II is probable that they will
that one or the other shall retire from the
contest.
Gen. Keifer's Candidacy.
Ex-Speaker ]. Warren Keifer seems to
be doing more active work for the nominal
ticn now than any of his rivals. He seems
to be travelling over the state all the time
ard losing no opportunity to make
speech. Like Doyle and Poe, he also has
a rival in his section-nay, even in his own
city. 1t Is Asa S. Bushnell. keifer was
shrewd enough to get pledge from Bush
Eell several months ago, and before the
him, that he would not stand in his
(keifer'S) to the domination. Rush-