The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-22
OHIO'S BIG FIGHT.
The National Administration
and Senator Hanna Against
The State Administration and
Senator Foraker.
STATE GUARDIANSHIP
Is the Prize for Which Each
Side is COntending.
Bushnell May Decline a Nomi-
nation If Kurtz is Defeated.

naCIOn II huftZ IS O6IeaCeus
Toledo, O., June 22.-The Republican
state convention began here today. 1t
will nominate full state ticket and
endorse a candidate for United States
sena tor. There is no opposition TO Sen
ator Hanna for both the short and the
long terms and none to the renOmina-
ton of Governor Bushnell and other
state officers all of whom are running
for their second term. There is no agi-
tation over the resolutions or any of the
ordinary issues at conventions. The
contest has been from the start for the
control of the state central committee
which elects the campaign chairman
Each of the 81 congressional districts
was closely canvassed in advance for
committee men and both factions claim
ed a majority of the 81 members up to
today.
Senator Foraker, Governor Bushnell
and others have been Untiring in their
efforts to retain Chairman Charles L.
Kurtz, while Senator Hanna and the
! old following of President Mckinley
and Secretary Sherman have supported
Major Charles Dick for the place. Ma
jOr Dick is now secretary of the nation
al committee. He was chairman of the
| Ohio state executive committee in both
of McKinley's campaigns for governor
and IN the presidential campaign of
1892. Dick was superseded by KUItZ as
chairman in Governor Bushnen's first
campaign two years ago and he has
held the place every since.
In addition to the factiOnal elements
represented, there has been a strong
rivalry for years between Dick and
KurtZ and the fight between them is
the distinguishing feature of this con-
vention. It has involved all the party
leaders on one side or the other and is
the most bitter contest that has been
wsged within either party for years.
Governor Bushnell and other state Of
fcers and Chairman Kurtz arrived last
night and immediate took up their
fight for the state campaign chairman
ship. Governor Bushnell said it had al
ways been the custom for the candidate
that he would insist on the continuance
of Chairman Kurtz. The governor
would not confirm the reports that he
would decline the nominate if any
other man was selected to manage the
camrafga except Chairman Kurtz.
While the managers for Mr.. Dick were
last night claiming II out of the 81 con-
SfesSlonaI dstr1ctS for committeeman,
Mr.. kurtz was working with confidence
for reelection and claiming an even
fight. KurtZ claimed that when the
state committee recently met in Column
bus to fix the time and place for this
convention that Senator Hanna sent
Major Dick there as his representative
and that it was then agreed that Kurtz
should continue as chairman Since
then there has been change of plans
that has been kept secret from the gov
ernOr, the chairman and others.
The Kurtz men claim no one knew
anything of it but those in the secret
at Washington and that emissaries
were sent from Washington to the
county convention last week, when Sen
ator Hanna made his open move. Gov.
Bushnell and the state officers are
working hard for Kurtz. It is openly
stated that Senator Foraker has ap-
pealed to his friends to stand for Kurtz.
The following that President Mckinley
and Secretary Sherman have always
had in Ohio conventions is working ag-
gressiVely for Dick and the administra-
ton is quoted as favoring Dick Sen
atOr Hanna had arranged to be here
last night, but failed to arrive.
Gov. Bushnell and Major Dick have
had a long conference. The party lead
erS got them together, but no compro-
mise could be reached. Senators Fora
ker and Hanna were both conferred
with by wire before the conference.
While Gov Bushnell represented
Chairman Kurtz and Senator Foraker,
we'll as the probable state nominees,
it was impossible for Major Dick to
speak for Senator Hanna and others.
1t was a sort of an armistice during the
hours of this conference, but after mid
night the contest proceeded as during
the day.
The Kurtz men call attention to the
fact that Hanna was appointed senator
by Gov. Bushnell against whom the
fight is now being waged as well as
against Kurtz.
Late in the night the leaders in the
movement to make Major Dick chair
man of the campaign committee were
in conference and it is said J. H. Brig
ham, first assistant secretary of agri-
culture, was decided on as the candi-
date for governor in the event Govern
or Bushnell should decline on account
of the defeat of Chairman Kurtz. Sec
retary Brigham arrived here from
Washington yesterday.
The old state central committee held
it's last meeting this morning, but Ow-
ing to the peculiar canvass for cam
paign chairman none of the contests
were decided for the temporary organ
ization of the convention. These con-
tests were referred back to the district
meetings of the delegates this after
noon. Senator Hanna arrived from
Cleveland with large escort shortly
after II a. m. and held a, conference
with Major Dick. The latter presented
an ultima tum from Governor Bushnell.
In this ultimatum Governor Bushnell
authorized Major Dick to say to Sena-
tor Hanna that he (BushnelD would
decline denomination If Chairman
+ Kurtz was not retained in charge of
the state headquarters.
Hanna and Dick remained in secret
conference SOme time, after which Sen
ator Hanna and Governor Bushnell are
to have final conference previous to
the district meetings of d slegateS at
p. m. There are many who say Gov
ernor Bushnell will recede from his ul-
timatum of decination. but in the event
# his declination the Hanna men, who
arg ly control the convention, say they
will proceed to accept the destination
and nominate J. H. Brigham, assist
ant secretary of agriculture for gov
ernor. Brigham has been largely
sought after all day. In this event