Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-30
Difficulties Revealed by the Butler
County Convention.
EX-GOVERNOR CAMPBELL'S Bolt
He Will Contest a Seat at the
State Convention.
SILv ER T H E G U S E

The campaign for delegates to the state
convention at Springfield does not appear
to open auypiciously for the Ohio demo-
Gratis Their slender hope Of success this
wear depends upon action not only con-
certed. but enth lsiastic, and the fear now
is the existing conditions make that I'M
possible.
The Butler county convention, just held,
has fully revealed the democracy's diff
culties Considerations of more than or
binary moment called for harmony on this
occasion. Butler county is the home OF
both ex-Gov. Campbell, prospective can
didate TO: President, and Paul Sorg, the
most prominent candidate for this years
gubernatorial nomination. But harmony
was mos. conspicuous by its absence. The
convention split in twain, one faction FOL
lowing Mr.. Campbell out of the court
house onto the green, and selecting dele
gates there, while the other faction Kept
their seats and selected another set of dele
gates Both Campbell and Sorg, therefore,
will enter the state convention with cloud
ed titles as delegates, and to that extent
he at disadvantage before a body expect
ed to honor both of them. The silver
question was the principal factor in the
division. Campbell and Sorg are for sound
money, and the other side favors silver.
Campbell the Heavier Loser.
Mr.. Campbell is thought to be the heavier
loser of the two by this development. Mr..
Sorg is not actively seeking the guberna-
torial nomination. He has carefully count
ed the. chances and sees that the odds are
against the election of any democrat this
year. He will accept the nomination II
rendered him. and put up the best fight
possible. At the same time he will work
just as hard for the success of any other
democrat. But Mr.. Campbell, in the line
of his aspiration, has everything at stake
If he Is not Ohio'S candidate for his party s
presidential nomination he cannot hope to
be considered in the race. And if the COM
ing convention does not indorse his aspira-
tioEs, as the republican convention did the
aspirations of Governor Mckinley for the
same office, it may be difficult for his
friends to keep his name before the coun-
try. An Endorsement by majority vote
after hot contest, with part of the mi
nority vote coming from his own county.
might do him more harm than good. To
be effective at all the Endorsement must be
bestowed with unanimity and the best OF
feeling. II must, at least, compare favora-
bly,, in outward appearances. with that be-
slowed on Governor Mckinley by his party
friends, but how this is to be accomplished
with Mr.. Campbell before the convention
as contestant for seat as delegate, or
as delegate seated after hot and an
acrimonious contest. appears at this time
to be a difficult problem.
Party Complications.
But, in addition to these personal conf
plications. there are the party complica-
tions. Silver, 1t is seen, is, as disturbing
| factor, all-powerful. 1t invades the homes
| Of the leaders themselves, and shows their
| limitations. 1t is making tour Of the
state, and expects to appear at Springfield
| with host at its back. Mr.. Brice, it is
| true, expects to muster larger crowd,
| and to frame platform in accordance
with the Presidents financial policy. But
| if only his side mount that platform with
| anything like pleasure and sure-footedness,
| what will II avail him in the campaign be-
| fore the people?
The Republicans Pleased.
| The republicans are more pleased than
| ever with the Ohio outlook. They are
divided themselves on personal scores. Nc
kinley and Foraker are in reality no nearer
together than are Brice and Thurman or
| Campbell and Mclean. Ambitions clash in
| the one party as in the other. But the
| republicans are united on the national
| issues. They are standing shoulder to
| shoulder on Mr.. Shermans platform, with
| it's Endorsement of sound money and pro.
| lection, and the result Of this at the polls
| is expected to be a full republican vote.
| Can the democrats pull themselves to-
| gether after the Springfield convention
| And will thew do so?