Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-01
PROSPECTS IN OHIO
Republican Criticism of the Zanes-
vile Platform.
AN APPEAL TO THE GERMAN Vote
Democratic Praise Of Mclean and
Expression of Confidence.
FREE SILVER NOT DROPPED

The platform declarations of the Ohio
democratic convention are attracting atten-
ton in political circles but not causing any
surprise to republicans. 1t was supposed
that the OHIO democrats would follow the
example set in other states and look for
votes along the lines already laid down.
The only feature of the Ohio platform
which republicans regard worthy of
notice is the unmis taxable bid for the Ger
man vote of the state conveyed in the plat
form denunciation of a possible alliance
between Great Britain and the United
States.
Secretary Wilson of the Department of
Agriculture pointed out this feature of the
case to a Star reporter today. Secretary
Wilson has had occasion heretofore to con-
slider it. because the Iowa democrats have
made a similar play to capture the Ger
mans on the score of republican connec-
ton with an Anglo American alliance
THAT is man of straw, said secretary
Wilson. eff the Germans are caught by
a man of straw it will be the first time in
the history of their race. Your German,
as a rule, is a pretty long headed fellow.
He argues from his convictions, reach
ed after reading and thinking. There is
absolutely no foundation for the charge of
an alliance between England and the
United States.
The Republican RcjOinder.
Republican politicians are not blind to
the danger of arousing the Germans on
this line but they rely upon their ability
to demonstrate that no such plan is in
contemplation by this government, and that
the democrats are merely trying to frighten
them with a mythical bugaboo. The repub-
1icans will lose no time in calling attention
to that plank of the Ohio democratic plat
form which reaffirms the doctrine of free
coin .,cyn Of ally q L
of Ohio repudiated that doctrine In 1876
and will be called upon to face the PROPOSE
ton again. The republican campalgners Will
point out 10 the German voters that the
free silver plank is positive and actual
menace to their material interests. They
will be reminded that a democratic victory
will result in making free silver the as
sured policy of the government On the
other hand. while alliance between Eng
land and the United States might be dis
tasteful to the German-Americans, no such
thing is in contemplation by the republi-
can party.
Thus the Germans will be confronted with
a real menace to their prosperity pro-
posed by the democrats against a sup
posititous and altogether improbable dam
ger which the democrats accuse the repub
icans of fostering.
Republicans Expect Victory.
Tho republicans believe that they can
win in Ohio on this line of action. They
believe that honest money will appeal to
the German vote more than any other con-
sideration. if real, and certainly more than
any consideration which is supposititious.
1t is felt in republican circles that Mr. Nc
Lean has weakened his prospects for car
rying the state by the necessity of allying
himself with the Bryan forces. In order to
obtain the nomination he has had 10 come
under the Bryan banner. BY this means
he will capture the Bryan vote for the
governorshp. but will also have to accept
the free silver and populist handicap.
The republicans Will lose no opportunity,
it Is said. to point out the specious fea-
lures of the democratic platform. For in
stance, as Ohio Is pre-eminently a soldier
state the democrats had to recognize the
achievements of the soldiers in thu Spanish
war, but weaken that plank by regrettng
that American soldiers are being used in
the name Of liberty to crush the asptra
tons of the F'lipinos in their attempts to
establish a republic.
Mr.. NcLean's Business Operations.
Mr.. McLean's personal business relations
will enter largely into the campaign, it is
said He is recognized as a millionaire
whose financial arrangements are all on
a gold basis. There will probably be no
difficulty it is claimed in proving that his
contracts and financial deals contain gold
clause while he and his followers are
clamoring for a free silver basis. 1t is real
lied that Mr.. Mclean is a clever politician
and that. as his political aspirations eX-
tenG DeNOnd the SONtf1pfSHlp OF ONO, ne
Is in the fight to try TO win and he Will
make a desperate struggle. But. as stated
before one of the principal reasons which
lead the republicans to believe that they
will carry Ohio is the fact that Mclean
has had 10 burden himself with free silver
In order gain the democratic vote. Iii
Il contest between sound money and free
silver in Ohio the republicans are conf
dent that they have the upper hand.
Rest Chance in Years for Democrats.
But Ohio democrats are by no means in
clined to admit they have no chance. Wal
ter W. Warwick, until recently chief law
clerk in the Treasury Department, but for
some time engaged in the practice of law
in Cincinnati, who is in the city on bust
ness with the departments. spoke with con-
siderable enthusiasm to Star reporter to-
day regarding democratic prospects in
Ohio. He said:
The political situation in Ohio is such as
to arouse the whole party for the fail cam