Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-05
The Situation in Ohio.

The result of the vote on the or
sanization Of the Ohio Legislature Was
somewhat of surprise and demon
strated that the radical opponents of
Senator Hanna have burned their
bridges behind them. 1t does not how
ever, prove that Mr.. Hanna viii be de
feated The ballot for United States
senator Will not be taken until the 12th
inst. Meanwhile something may hap-
pen. The strength of the opposition
has been shown and while it gains
some advantage from the first success
it also develops weakness. The cry
that Mr.. Hanna could only be elected
by Doodle appears ridiculous in the
light Of the Doodle that is being en-
ployed against him. The opposition
according to the report of Murat Hal
stead, openly boasts that it has more
of a corruption fund than it is possible
for Mr.. Hanna to raise. Mclean, the
Democratic aspirant, is an arch cor
ruptionist as everybody knows.
The question has now become a ma
tional one The choice lies between a
sound money Republican endorsed by
his party in the state and man. Re-
publican or Democrat, who will he
bound by such obligations as win rem
der him but poor supporter Of sound
money, whatever his personal prefer
ences may be
While it must be admitted that the
anti-Hanna forces held the hetero-
geneous elements together wonder
fully we'll in the organization of the
state Legislature, that by no means
demonstrates their ability to do so a
week hence when the Republican
members who have been openly CON
sorting with the Democrats hear from
their constituents. Moreover when l.
comes to uniting the diverse clements
on an opposition candidate to Mir Han
ma naturally considerable difficulty Will
~ III 'tlitt4t'' " - Ilti ~ Tt'tti titel'
some of the Republican malcontent=
care more for their own personal ambi-
tor. than they do for party success
and such men are hard to unite IN the
kind of harmony necessary Tor sue
cess under such conditions. Several
Republicans We're instructed by their
constituents to vote for Mr. Hanna. Il
they go back on their constituents ii
will he an act which those who beliere
in honora BILE partisan obligations must
condemn. 1t is not certain they viii
do so; their vote for fusion in the Leg
islature does not necessarily show that
they will go to the extent of violating
their obligations. The Hanna men re
fuse to believe that they Will. Thei:'
constituents are likely 20 inquire into
the matter. There is chance in the
next week for considerable change.
The Ohio Senate comprises Sc mem
bers. of whom Il are Republicans, IS
Democrats and enc Fdsionist The
House comprises 100 members, OF
whom IS are Republicans, a. Dem
ocrats ana four fusionists The total
party strength is - Republicans 81
Democrats and FIVE Fusionists. Both
sides claim he fusionist in
the Senate though the anti
Hanna claim seems the stronger
in view Of what has happened. The
opponents of Mr.. Hanna say he will
have less strength in the House than
had BoXwel This does not seem rea
sonable. There are some Republicans
with a grievance who might go the
length of voting for a fusion organiza-
ton of the House that would hesitate
before opposing the avowed wish ol
their constituents, their party in the
state and the welfare Of their party
throughout the nation.