Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-19
CONFIDENT REPUBLICANS
Ohio Gives McKinley's Friends Ground for
Hope.
Buckeye POpulists Are Expected to
IndOrse bryan and Maintain
Their OFganiza ton.
Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star.


COLUMBUS, Ohio, August 10, 1896
Chairman Kurtz Of the republican state
committee says the opening meeting of his
party here last week was satisfactory to
him in every respect. The democratic
newspapers, however, claim that the at
tendance was not what it should have been
and that it falls short of the expectations
of the republican leaders. There being no
parade, there was nothing to draw the
crowd to one place and give the usual OPP
pcrtunity to size it up The meeting was
fully month earlier than the usual open
ing, and this doubtless had a deterrent
effect. 1t is yet midsummer in Ohio and
the farmers are not through with their
harvests. IL was thought best by the
publican leaders, however, to begin the
campaign work at once i'm order to coun-
teract the free silver sentiment which was
fast gaining ground.
Chairman kurtz says he will not push
forward the work on the stump at once
The work OF circulating campaign litera-
ture vii! be hurried with all the force of
the headquarters. There will be another
great meeting here about the LIST of Sep
TENDER, and from that time on the work
will be pushed with vigor 1t is found that
people Will not come out to listen to po-
litical speeches during the terribly hot
weather. Chairman Kurtz has gone east for
a short res. He will be back at his post
by the first OF next month.
Labor Day Debate.
John J. Lentz, the democratic candidate
for Congress here, has challenged ID. X.
Watson. the republican candidate for the
same Office, to joint debate on the COIN
age question. Watson has promptly ac-
cepted the challenge and a committee of
laborinS men are trying TO have the de-
bate take place on Labor day, September
Z, as part of the exercises of the day.
This Will probably be agreed 10. Len,Z is
the democrat whose sudden conversion
from radical gold advocate 10 vigorous
defender of free coinage caused sensa-
ten in political circlSS here, and was fol-
lowed almost Immediately by his nominal
lon iy the democrats Oil a free silver PIX t.
foim for Congress.
lie Is row under a severe crosS-tire. OF
course. his old friends, the gold democrats
are opposing him, ard the radical free COM
age democrats, led by Allen w. Thurman
and Col w. A. Taylor are questioning the
sincerity of his sudden conversion. To add to
his discontinue, the populsts, from whom
valuable aid was expected are about TO re-
fuse TO indorse LentZ, and nominate one of
their party. 1t looks as though, even I'M
der the unfavorabie circums tances, and
despite the fact that the district gave a
democratic plurality of over $50 on last
la!l 5 vote, there was a chance for the re-
turn OF Watson TO Congress.
POpulist Convention.
Next week the most important event
bearing upon the result of the coming cleo
ton in this state will occur at Springfield.
1t is the populist state convention A COM
mittee of the democratic state executive
committee. specially appointed to do this
work. Will be present to conduct negotia-
ions looking toward fusion of the two
parties on the state and electoral tickets
Inc populists are proceeding with the pre-
Hmlnary work of the fusion with the nat
ural caution of weak party dealing vii h
strong one. The state chairman of the
party. Hugo Preyer of Cleveland has sent
out the following notice: 1t having come
TO my notice that some congressional as
well as county committeeman have refused
10 call conventions. stating that our people
should support the democratic ticket 7
wish to say TO all true populists, Call Your
conventions and depose your traitorous Off
ciais, select new leader, and go ahead
Win our party organiZa ton. aims and pur-
poses. We have Endorsed Bryan. but that
IS all, ard while We are ready for union
OF all reform forces. that union must be
reciprocal on reform PRINCIPLES
In the eighth district the populist CON-
yehtion hello at Marysville last week in
dorsed the democratic candidate for Con-
gress. McEldin Dun of Urbana
Disappointed Republicans.
There vas much disappointment and
some dissatisfaction expressed at the fail
ure of Maj. Mckinley to attend the open-
ing OF the republican state campaign here.
In this the state executive committee
Shares to degree. This being his own
state, and Columbus his official home
Tor the last four years, many of the lead
ing republicans of the state insist that
there would have been nothing improper
In his coming, and he would have set no
precedent to control his actions i'm the rest
of the campaign. J. "a q