Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-06-17

should be clean, honest, upright
citizen-one who will inspire conf
dence. He should be thoroughly in
touch with the great mass of the peo-
pie; he should be acquainted with
the practical workings of the state
government; he should be good
campaigner; he should be a student
of the money question; and above all
he should be enthusiastically in favor
of the free and unlimited coinage OF
both gold and silver at the present
legal ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting
for the aid or consent of any other
nation,-no recent convert, but one
whose past record shows this to be
his position from principle-no hest
tating, weak hearted knight, but one
against whose armor have rung the
changing blows.
Among those mentioned for the
place, no one seems quite so near the
ideal candidate as does Hon. d. d.
Donovan of Henry county. An ex.
animation of his life both as private
citizen and public servant, shows his
career to be typical one in this land
of opportunities.
Born in Henry county, this state, in
1860. as q boy he worked on the farm
and attended the district school. For
three years he taught in the public
schools, then went to college, and af-
terward graduated from the law de-
partment of Georgetown University.
In 1887 he was chosen to represent
his native county in the Ohio Legis-
lature, and was reelected in 1882
The testimony of both his political
friends and opponents in the Legis-
lature shows Mr.. Donovan to have
been pre-eminently q working mem
ber, giving detailed attention to COM
mittee work and to bills before the
House. Maybe his former work as a
teacher had some influence, at any
rate the friends of education soon
came to know him as member who
always supported whatever tended
to aid the cause of higher learning
and improve the condition of the
public schools. With many of these
measures his name is prominently
connected. His ability as a student
of financial affairs, and his careful
habits of work led to his appoint
ment on the Finance Committee OF
the Ohio House of Representatives
during his last term, and to his being
made its secretary. While serving in
this capacity he visited every public
institution in the state, not on Junk.
citing tours" but for the purpose c1
examining their needs. Thus, few
men are better acquainted with al
these numerous institutions whose
successful management rests so large
ly upon the Governor.
In 1890 the Democratic party of his
district further recognized his worth
by making him their nominee fol
Congress, the Republican candidate
being Col. J. H. Brigham, Grant
Master of the National Grange. AT
ter fierce and exciting contest, il
which Mr.. Donovan exhibited his ex
cellent qualities as campaigner, h.
was elected, and was reelected ii
1899. w. J. Bryan and he were mem
bers during the same four years, serv
ed on the same committe for wv
years, were both enthusiastic silve
advocates, and were fast friends.
Mr.. Donovan's studies in financ
early led him to see the essential ev
of the gold standard and induced tn
belief that America never would eI
Joy permanent prosperity until sh
threw off the incubus of foreig
monetary system and returned t
1.-THE money of the constitution.
While in Congress he acted upo
these convictions, always casting HI
vote for measures looking toward th
restoration of the white metal to il
place beside gold. In August, 1885,
Mr.. Bland offered In succession 81
amendments to the bill to repeal th
Sherman Act. They provided for FIRE
coinage: the first, at 16-1; the secont
J at III; the third, at 1871; the fourth
at 1911; the fifth ut 20-1; while the sixt
provided for the restoration of tn
Bland-Allison Act. One after the otl
er they were voted down. The silvt
cause was not as popular then {
now, and it took some courage I
stand for 1t. Mr.. Donovan was tt
only member of the Ohio delegatio
= who voted for all these amendment
On Nov. /, 1898, he voted to revive s
much of the Act of Jan. 1S, 1887, {
provided for the free coinage of 81
yer, and on March /, 1894, for the bi
to coin the seigniorage. He oppose
both of the propositions to sell go
bonds, presented in Feb, 1895. Thes
/ are some of the votes that show no
he supported the cause at q tin
when its supporters were few.
Near the beginning of the year 1S9
an address was issued to the Dem
| Gratis of the United States, settir
forth the Importance of the none
question and urging them to declal
for free silver. 1t was signed by thi
ty-three of the most prominent silv'
/ men in Congress, among them Brya
and Bland. On page 157 of Mr.. Br
ans "The First Battle" it is see
that the name of d. d. Donovan o.
pears as one of the famous thirt
three pioneers In the movement tn,
, led the Democratic party with ne
zeal to enter the contest of the peop
against plutocracy-a contest whic
now goes on and which will not cea,
: until we have gained our financial il
, dependence from England and rec
, tablish silver in its rightful place.
During last years campaign. M
Donovan was from the first earne
: and enthusiastic in his support of v
, ]. Bryan and the principles for whic
he stood, Throwing all his energ
into the contest, he did good servi
on the stump, and was one of the ia
t tors in rolling up such large vote
, northern Ohio.
Mr.. Donovan is representati'
citizen, one whom the people of Oh
could we'll feel proud to look upon
their Governor. He is scholar ar
q gentleman of refinement and cr