Evening star., 1896-09-21
THE OHIO SITUATION
Mr.. Mclean May Assume Personal Charge Of
the Democratic Campaign.
Ambitious to Succeed Senator Sher-
man-What is Now Expected of
Ex-Governor Foraker.

The situation in Ohio continues to be a
topic of lively discussion. Upon the face of
things the republicans appear to have the
b. st Of the argument. They carried the
state in 1894 and last year by enormous
majorities. and this year they are. or
ought to be, strengthened by the fact that
the party has gone to the state for its
presidential candidate. But the democrats
are limiting at some phenomenal changes
in sentiment since the cry for free silver
sUpplanted the cry for protection, and
sert that a partial poll shows a condition
of affairs resembling much more closely
that OF 1892 than that of last year.
In 1892 the republicans barely squeezed
through. with a plurality of only 1912 for
General Harrison over Mr.. Cleveland. A
full vote was po4ed by both parties. Last
November Mr.. Bushnell for governor had
plurality of 92G22 over Mr. Campbell,
but the democratic vote in the state was
5000 short. Another point noted is that
the populists in 1852 poled only 14,Sl2
votes, while last year they polled 52,675
votes. This year the democrats and the
popUlists have fused and out of this ar
rargement the Bryanites expect to benefit
very greatly.
Free Silver Among the Farmers.
This democratic hope is based partly upon
the hold the free silver cry has obtained in
the agricultural portions of the state. The
republicans themselves admit that the
farmers of Ohio have shown a weakness for
silver. hut they believe that this will dis
appear before the vigorous campaigning
that has now been iEaugurated. The sill
yer men maintain that instead of disap-
pearing the sentiment will grow and be-
| come the firmer.
Mclean May Assume Charge.
The democrats are also encouraged by
| the report that John r. Mclean will take
an active part in the fight, and may go to
| thes state and direct operations in person.
| The machinery of the democratic state
committee Is altogether in the hands of
Mr.. Mclean and his friends, and Mr.. Nc
| Lean is man of large means and great
ambition. He is likewise regarded as a
shrewd politician. The belief is that he
wants to succeed Mr.. Sherman in the Sem
ate, and will strive to lay the foundations
| this year for the election of a democratic
| eetslature next year. The next Ohio legis-
| lature will elect Mr.. Sherman's successor.
Mr.. Mclean has already impressed himself
upon the Ohio campaign through the me
dunn of his newspaper, which is the only
| silver organ Of any note in the middle
states, but if he goes out and takes charge
| of matters in person the silver men will
| hail the move as a most encouraging sign
| of the times.
Confidence to the Towns.
| Ohio republicans writing about affairs at
home speak Suardedly as 10 the country
but with confidence as to the towns. The
| labor vote. they claim, is almost solidly for
| Mckinley, and Hamilton county alone, In
| which Cincinnati is situated. is estimated
| to give twenty thousand majority for the
| republican ticket. Last November the re-
| publican plurality there was 1867. A
| prominent local republican politician of
| Cincinnati has offered to bet that he can
| name three counties. Hamilton being one
| where the labor vote is large, which will
! give the republican ticket fifty thousand
| majority. If there is a good basis for this
| confidence to the labor vote. 1t will take
| a very large detection among the repubii
| can farmers to Offset it,
Expectations to Foraker.
| Mr.. Foraker is back from Europe, and mis-
| presence at home again is expected to Civ,
a marked impetus to republican work il
the silver sections of the state. He is per
sonally the most popular of the buckley,
| leaders. ranking Mr.. Mckinley himsel
| probably in that regard.