The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-10-17
THE FIGHT IN OHIO.
1t is Much Closer Than Was An
ticipated.

PHILADELpH1A, Ocl. 9.-The Ledger, Re-
publican) today publishes the following in-
teresting dispatch from its Washington cor
respondent concerning the political situation
in Ohio:
''The work which is now being done in
Ohio will, it is confidently belived, result in
the choice of the Republican electors in that
State. At the same time it cannot he denied
that owing to the peculiar condition existing in
Ohio, and the strong fusion between the
Democrats, the PopulistS and one wing of tn e
Prohibition party, the State has been doubt
full until within the past two weeks, and that
it still affords fighting ground for both par
ties. Those who have been figuring upon
Ohio without full knowledge of peculiar con
ditions which have been operative in that
State, have failed to appreciate the fact that
last fall the PoDuists and ProhibitIonists
poled nearly 1900 votes, and that, while
Governor Bushnell was elected by plurality
of ~, 900 in round numbers, his majority. was
less than 10000. This year the Democrats,
POpulists and one of the largest wings Of the
Prohibition party have fused, and this means
an addition of not less than 10000 votes for
the Bryan and Sewall electors, if the terms of
the fusion can be successfully carried out. 1t
is conceded privately by Republican man
ayers that if the national election had been
held month ago Bryan would have carried
Ohio by large majority. The free-silver
mania was particularly strong in the farming
and manufacturing sections, and very early
in the campaign Chairman Hanna was in
formed that the State was n doubtful one.
Work was Immediately begun by the Repub-
lican State Central Committee, and two polls
of the State were made, after most thorough
canvass of every county in which prospects
were most discouraging. The last poll midi
Gated that Major Mckinley is in the lead, but
by very small margin. A third poll is now
in progress, and is said 10 be still more en-
couraging.
st is stated that the great unknown guam
tity in the Ohio situation today is the size of
the National Democratic movement The
leaders of that organization have dominated
full electoral ticket and claims are made
that they will poll not less than 10000 votes,
but such estim ates are unreliable. In fact,
until later in the campaign there can be no
intelligent idea of just what figure the Demo
cratic opponents of Bryan and Sewall will cut
in the coming election.
"a letter to the Star from Columbus states
that the managers of the two parties are wor-
ried over the great number of doubtful voters
shown on both sides by polls so far made.
Neither appears to have the advantage in this
matter. Each party seems to have about 10
per cent. OF It's vote IN TINS unueSlfaOle posi-
ton. The managers have the fairly we'll
grounded fear that when a voter tells the
polling officer to mark him down as doubt
full it means that he intends voting the ticket
of the other party in the coming election.
The correspondent says that, while each party
is claiming that it will carry the State by
large majorities, it is evident that neither side
is confident as to results.
"The free silver men have dropped the cry
of free silver in their work among these classes
of voters, and now say to them that the issue
is really whether employers shall cast the
votes of their employees or not. In this con-
nection they are making great use of the
circulars sent out by the railway companies
to their employees, in regard to the issue of
the election, and interpreting them to mean
that the employees must vote as their employ
ers dictate or be discharged. 1t is easy to see
that this kind of campaigning is having its
effect It gets votes the free-silver doctrine
could never get. The State Republican Com
mittee has been several times on the point Of
suggesting that Vice President Brook Of the
Pennsylvania and President Ingalls, of the
Big -Four Railway Companies we're doing
more harm on the stump speaking for sound
money, but have RETAINED