Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-02
Foraker Men Charged With Under
mining McKiuley's Strength.
EIGOVERNORS FRIENDS PRESCRIBED
Bolt Of the Columbus Dispatch
Likely to Be Followed.
QUEER STATE OF POLITICS

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
COLUMBUS, Ohio April 9. - Notwith-
standing the declarations of loyalty to
Maj. Mckinley made by the Foraker re-
publicans in the state convention two
weeks ago. there is unmistakable evidence
that the Foraker republicans, led 10y Gov.
Bushnell. are using the state patronage
now fully in their control. to undermine
the strength of the ex-governor in this
state.
Charles L. Kurtz, Senator Foraker's con-
fidcntial political adviser, who has beer
elected national delegate from this county
and Is instructed to support Mckinley, is
telling it everywhere that 1t is entirely i'm
probable that Mckinley will be nominated
Gov. Bushnell refused last week to reap
point w. T. Lewis state labor commits
sioner, for the reason that Lewis has been
operating as a Mckinley leader, and in his
congressional district convention three
weeks ago defeated Kurtz's candidate for
member OF tho state central committee. In
refusing to reappctHtAewis, Gov Bushnell
said to him: "Yo,f have been running off
after false gods You cannot expect to be
retained"
Attacking Mckfnley's Friends.
A number OF investigations of state Off
GERS by the legislature are now in progress,
and IN every 'ase the Foraker men are
turning them into prosecutions of the
friends Of ex-Gov. Mckinley.
Gre of these investigations takes in
number of state officials. among them an
appointee of the ex-governor J. p. Smith.
state librarian, on the charge of conspiring
to unload upon the state book, to publish
which they had formed company. and
found 1t Improbable Mark Hanna of
cleveland, who is re ceivfng great deal of
consideration now by reason of his con-
nection with the Mckinley movement, was
interested in the company. When Smith
was on the witness stand in the investiga-
ton, Senator Shattuc of Cincinnati who
Is close political friend of Senator For
aker. asked aim the question, What are
you dolng in Cleveland LOW in connection
with Mr.. HANNAH"
matter under investigation, blu: the senator
had an opportunity to put Smith and his
associates all friends of ex-Gov McKin-
ley, In an embarrassing position. and he
took advantage of the opportunity
Smith turned the question aside by an
swerine, 'Oh, writing letters and receiving
answers
A general laugh followed, and the sena-
tor did not pursue the matter further.
Further evidence of the hostility of
The Foraker republicans toward the Nc
hinlt yites was shown last week in the
action Of Gov. Bushnell i'm demanding the
designations of the members of the board
OF managers of the state prison. The three
republican me mbers went to the state con-
vention at GAINESVILLE last fall, and work ed
hsrd to prevent the nomination of Bush
NELL One Of them, J. H. Brigham of Del
ia, ex-president Of the National Grange
a1terward took the stump i'm the campaign
In SUPP ort OF Bushnell, but this did not
save him.
1t is semi-official!y announced from the
governors Office that he will proceed 10 re-
organize all the state institutions at once
ana the friends of the ex-governor, who
nave been In complete control for several
years, are getting ready to vacate With
TINS condition Of strained relations between
the two factions it is LOO much to expect
mat there VIII be sincere and persistent
effort on the part of tie Foraker republic
cans who will be in the national convention
at St Louis as delegates in McKinley's be-
half. -"
Bolt of the Dispatch.
The Evening Dispatch of this city, which
mad been supposed to be friendly to Nc
hinley. has surprised, rot to say dfsmayed
the friends Of the ex-governor by coming
out In vigorous editorial rating Mckinley
as poor executive officer, and citing acts
i'll his administration as governor of Onio
in support of its position. The Dispatch
reasoned that he would prove an easy ma ri,
IN the office Of President Of the United
states Tor the designing men that always
hang about the seat of power watchino n
chance to make profit for Themselves
through official dishonor. The Dispatch is
an independent newspaper, but has always
Leei StroTS IN It's advocacy of protection
1t is significant that Col. j. l.. Rodgers its
fcrmcr editor. is now private secretary of
Gov. Bushnell. VI
1t is intimated that the stand taken by
me Dlspatch Is to be taken in turn by a
republican paper in Cincinnati i'm modified
form, and other prominent newspapers of
the state. i'll the next few weeks, as mart
OF precorcerted movement on the part of
the antl-Mckinley republicans of the state
the object being to weaken the McKinIev
movement without breaking the pledges
placed upon any of the delegates in The
conventions that chose them.
On preliminary questions, such as are
likely to arise on the matter Of credentials
at least ten votes from Ohio will be cast
against the interests of Mckinley in Tho
st. Louis convention, -hough i'm the ballot
gard their Instructions AMI vote for Nc
kinley on each ballot,