The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-09-19
The Battle Begun.

The contest for the control of the ad-
mlnistrative and legislative affairs of the
State of Ohio is now fully on, and the
voters may begin the necessary oompari-
sons between the oontending causes and
candidates. And the differences between
them Is remarkably clear cut and distinct.
On the one side the titular candidate is
but the foil for man who sits in the
background and shapes and controls the
machinery of his party, so that all things
that come to his mill shall be grist
meet for profitable grinding.
The candidate on the other side is not
only a man of striking individuality, abb
boss, one of the people and representative
of the people, and one whose personality
and power will both be responsive to the
just grievances of the people who will call
him again to the governorship.
If Asa S. Bushnell could possibly be
dlssociated from George b. Cox, the Gin
oinnati boss, who now aspires to seize the
whole state, as he has seized its metropol-
itan city, his claims to the confidence and
partiality of the people would be much
higher than they are now.
But all his political fortunes are linked
with George B. Cox, and with him he
must succeed or fail. There is no getting
away from this proposition. Cox was the
general who manipulated the GAINESVILLE
convention, and the election of the repub-
lioan state ticket and a republican legis-
lature will enthrone Cox In the state
house, and clothe him with the same die
tatorial powers which he exercises in the
city hall at Cincinnati.
On the other hand, James K. Campbell
uplifts the banner of democracy--the
ensign of the people who want no bosses
and, If elected he will be the governor
of the people, he will be no mans man
he will be no plant instrument to be
manipulated by a boss whose only in
stinct Is inordinate greed in absorbing the
spoils of office, the incumbents of which
he claims the absolute prerogative of
naming without consulting, the voters
and taxpayers.
Simplifed, 1t is the battle of the people |
against Coxism, and the opposing prin-
ciples are so Numerically opposed to each |
other that there ought to be no doubt in
of the issue
The people, and not the bosses, are in
terested in the administration of public |
affairs and the shaping of public legisla-
ton, and unless they do interest them
selves, and that speedily, the affairs of
the state must pass into an infinitely |
worse condition than now characterizes
them.
In the present conjecture of affairs no
democrat can afford to be laggard, or
straggle from the ranks, for it is upon
that organization that the people of all
parties must depend for relief from the
evils that now exist and greater ones that
threaten. To that organization, If 1t raj
lies united and harmonious, will come
the hundreds and thousands of republican
voters who hail the present opportunity
TO stamp out the bossism that has seized
their party machinery and converted 1t
10 the very worst Of selfish Is.
Moreover, this is but the preliminary
;kirmish of the great battle of 1896, and
40 democratic soldier, be he of the field
md line or of the rank and file, to earn
ihe title of either deserter ,.or laggard.
Not only the highest fealty to party, but
jhe loftiest duty to party, demands that
le enter actively into the contest, and
light unfalteringly till victory comes with
jhe end.
The issues involved in this contest are
ssues on which all democrats can agree
md on which they do agree. Whatever
questions suggested divisions In the past,
nave been sent over to the national con-
'ention for consideration, and action, and
We may all safely oonflde in the collective
wisdom of the democracy Of the forty four
tates when they meet in council
The work now before the voters of
)hio and especially before the democrats,
S TO place the state and local affairs of
Ohio in safe hands The democracy pre-
ent a man tried and trusted and true,
rec from all taint and suspicion of Cox
SIN, and around him the party should
ally, and their votes with those of intel
igent, independent republicans, will de-
a 4. |