New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-30
THE PROSPECT IN OHIO.

M State campaign this year has run moro
curions course than that now drawing to
close in Ohio Opening nearly four months
ago with n surprising burst Of energy, and
promising to fan again into fame the National
issues OF 1896, 1t fell as early as September to
n level Of duness rarely touched in the strenu-
Gus and breezy politics Of the Buckeye Stale
The sudden decision Of the Democratic man
ayers last August to shift the ground OF their
canvass and to abandon free-silver coinage for
other more available, though purely local rally
ing cries. took from the campaign practically
all It's National significance and reduced 1t 10
a contest in the main Of personal and local
interests Within the last few days, how
ever, the Democratic leaders have again
changed their tactics, and by sunlmoning to
their aid last years free-coinagc candidate for
the Presidency have sought TO give broadly
National quality to the final moves IN the
State fight. No stroke Of opposition policy could
have been more welcome to the Republicans
than this belated invitation to Mr.. Bryan 10
make a series OF free-coinage speeches through
out the State; and the Nebraska Orators ap-
pearance this week the stump has had a
material effect IN dspclling the party apathy
which up 10 that time had somewhat clouded
the prospect Of Republican success.
Ohio long ago acquired among Republican
States a singular reputation for political insta-
bility; and the theory has gained some ground
in recent years that the Buckeye State Is more
than likely to reverse It's Presidential vote at
each following "off- year" election. In 1889, it
Is true, the first year OF the Harrison Admins
tration, James L. Campbell was chosen Gov
crnor as Democrat over Joseph b. Foraker,
and Calvin S. Brice was sent to the United
States Senate by Democratic Legislature.
Again, IN 1893 after giving one OF its electoral
votes 10 Mr. Cleveland the year before Ohio
emphasized the swing of the pendulum by elect
ing Governor Mckinley for a second term by
the remarkable plurality Of S0,3j5. A some
what similar tradition in Ohio politics-that
which obstlnately divided for years between
the two parties the States representation in the
United States Senate-was finally broken ut
the election Of 1895, and there Is every indica-
ton that the Presidential "off-year' supcrsti-
ton will be as effectualy exploded at the polls
next Tuesday.
On their face conditions seemed two months
ago TO have combined to guarantee the success
Of this years Republican canvass The return
ing wave Of business and agricultural prosper
ity which began to make its influence felt in
August, quickly swamped the calamity plat
form which the Democratic managers had
AIMED in June at Columbus. With wheat ris-
ing and silver falling in price, the free-coinagc
issue was necessarily consigned to the political
dust heap and It's abandonment by the Demo
cratic leaders snapped the last bond which had
held together the formidable free-svcr coali-
ton of 1896. The Populist party, which played
a most imDOrtlnt role IN last years fusion
broke away and nominated a separate State
ticket On the other hand the National De-
mocracy refused to be placated by the regular
organizations change of attitude, and persisted
IN maintaining a sound -money ticket of its own
in the field.
Under these favoring circumstances the cleo
ton Of the Republican candidates for State
offices next Tuesday seems reasonably assured
Indeed. the success Of the State ticket is prac-
tically conceded: and the whole effort Of the