Evening star., 1896-09-08

seemed to be less politics in 1t. Toledo was
repetition of Cleveland.
Probably Mr.. Bryan is justified In inter-
preting these gatherings as evidence that
the widely advertised reaction against sill
that the meetings themselves are the least
part of his campaign, as he Is talking
through the newspapers to the people OF
the United States. His own view is that
agitation Is all that is needed to cause
free silver to win, and he Is certainly keep
Ing the subject alive. The immediate effect
OF his speeches is to start the street corner
discussions, and in these the local free sill
verite orator Is at his best.
A Wonderful Campaign.
The republican party newspapers in Ohio
have not yet got to the point where they
can divorce news from partisanship. Most
of their accounts Of Candidate Bryan's
meetings have been prefaced with explain
ations IL at the crowds which heard him
really meant nothing at all. and that his
speeches were disappointing and failed to
convince. If they had said that at all the
meetings there nave been very large
number OF supporters of Major Mckinley
they would have been telling the truth.
To say that Mr.. Bryan's speeches were dis
appointing is not true whatever personal
opinions one may hold. At some stage of
this campaign the republican leaders will
be forced to recognize that campaign
talker Mr.. Bryan Is wonder, and his
speeches do have an effect his aud
fences.
Mr. Bryan had been told that there were
republican defections in Ohio ON silver and
that the sound money movement among
democrats was not formidable His ex-
perlehce seems to bear out these state
ments: While ex-Congressman Outhwaite
OF Columbus, ex-Congressman Haynes of
freemont and other men of standing in the
party were active at the indianapolis con-
lnftnpnPa tp
reach down to the rank and file. Begin
nlng with Postmaster Hutchins of Cleve-
land, there are a good many fed
eral officials who are opposing Bryan
N ore. apparently. than in other states
Nevertheless, the free silver took
such complete possession of the party
organization before the Chicago convention
that they are in a position to prevent any
heavy defections, and this Is what they
are doing
The extent of the republican silver senti-
ment in Ohio is a problem: 1t is strong in
seems to be badly infected. Ashtabula
county. which is in the heart of the Re-
serve. unquestionably has a proportion Of
republican members of Bryan silver clubs.
The organization of these clubs has been
largely the work of the National Bimetallic
Union. 1t is not probable that the defec-
ton Is serious enough to endanger the re-
election OF Congressman Northway, or to
cause landslide, yet it is too important
as factor in the political situation to be
ignored.
Their Danger Realized.
The Star correspondent has seen letters
from prominent republicans of Ashtabul
ridiculing the alleged detection and insist
ing that the only republican silver men are
few sore heads and discredted leaders
Letters Of this kind are misleading. for
they do not explain how 1t comes that
Bryan silver clubs on the Western Reserve
q npfI 01l.,E1
in excess of what the democratic vote has
ever been. 1t may be stated further, that
AShtabula county and two three other
points on tnat Western Reserve have been
receiving the personal attention of Major
Mckinley. who has canddly stated in pri-
vate, that some allowance must be made
for defections. He doesn't know why 1t
should be so, but he recognizes the fact
In northwestern Ohio there has always
been greenback element among the re-
publlcans. This element naturally drifts
to Bryan. The republican managers were
badly scared for q fortnight after the Chi
cago convention. They saw the danger in
BryanS nomination, and. seeing, they set
about avoiding. Party lines were drawn
tightly. and appeals We're made to loyalty
to Major Mckinley. The republicans are
now feeling comfortable over the outlook
Ihey say that Bryan's only gain will be
from the popllists. who in past elections
nave shown some strength in this part of
the state. Against this assertion NAV he
placed the statements of the local free sill
yer leaders. who say that they are enroll
ing considerable proportion of republicans
IN their Bryan silver clubs. The sound
money democrats lost their leader in the
death of Frank Hurd. They are men of
character and strength Of conviction but
lew of them understand anything about
political organization.
blaming Hanna.
There is a noticeable drift toward talk
OF bfmetallism among republican speakers
and candidates for office. Congressman Nc
Clure, whose district adioins Major Nc
kinley's home, has gone beyond that and
Is advocating free coinage. This does not
suit his constituents. and some conventions
have passed resolutions that he should ac-
cept the st. Louis platform or get off the
ticket. He is likely to do neither In
Cleveland Congressman Beach is also
showing marked friendIiness to silver
Congressman Burton has been vigorously
attacking Bryan's tariff record in Congress
as well as combating free silver But the
tarln as an issue paramount to finance has
no more vitality in Ohio than in other
states.
A disposition is apparent among some
Ohio republicans to criticise Chairman
Mark Hanna for slowness in getting the
campaign under way. The democrats have
their canvass In much better shape Chair
man Hanna probably knows what he is
doing, yet many of. the local leaders have
taken offense because no attention is paid
to their suggestions. They say in private
that if the silver sentiment develops an
unexpected strength 1t will be because
Chairman Hanna Of the national committee
did not take the situation in hand in time,
o