New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-14
PRICE THREE CENTS.
ALL EYES on OHIO.
SIGNIFICANCE OF JOHN X. MLEANS
NOMINATION.
RIVAL OF BRYAN. IF ELECTED-DANGERA
OUs CONFIDENCE or OHIO REPUBLICANS
FAMILY QUARRELs-ATTITUDE OF
TIE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION


Columbus Ohio Sept. 13 Especially If through
some Unforeseen combination Of circumstances
John r. Mclean should be elected Governor OF
Ohio by the Democrats this fall. his success
would Instantly make doubtful two events
which are considered as certain as any
thing In the future can be- VIZ:
First-The denomination. on free silver anti
imperIalIstc platform. Of William Jennings
Bryan by the Democracy. next year FOR Presi-
dent
Second-The denomination and inevitable re-
election by the Republicans OF President Nc
Kinley.
Notwithstanding the superficial and noisy en-
thusiasm FOR the stacy Bryan I'm the Democratic
ranks, especially IN the West and South. there
are powerful political, personal and moral in
fuences at work against him which may defeat
his aspirations. straw might turn the scale
ExpedIency may finally determine the Demo-
cratic nomination next year: and II it does
Bryan will fail. Many Of the ablest Democratic
leaders, and among them some Of Bryan's
warmest friends. view with deep concern the
very obvious universal wish Of the Republicans
for Bryan's renominltion with the old issues
up. II IS unfortunate that already a consider
able body of Republicans begin TO pin their sole
faith in Republican success next year upon a
bad nomination by the common enemy, but so
1t Is. IL Is a common remark Of thoughtless Re-
publlcans that Mckinley can beat Bryan: IL
would be a walkover." etc. This is a sort OF
danger signal 10 tho1e earnest Democrats who
admire Bryan. and yet place the interests Of
their party before the man. This strong Demo-
cratic element Is groping. tentatively favoring
Bryan: yet a ray Of light might suddenly unite
them upon some new candidate
McLeans election at this juncture 10 the
Governorship Of President McKlnleys own
State would be that ray Of light. It would not
only at once make the result Of the next Presi-
dental election somewhat doubtful but It would
point 10 the man, ard perhaps the only one,
who could defeat Bryan In the National Demo-
cratic Convention next year. That the element
opposed to Bryan will rally around Mclean as
an available candidate against Mckinley the
moment the Ohio gubernatorial vote is counted
IS already accepted as a certainty by shrewd
politicians Of both parties Ohio Is in the saddle
again. The Ohio idea is in the air. There
great possibilities in the outcome this fall. That
IS the meaning Of McLeans resoute and costly
canvass for the GAINESVILLE nomination. It
quires no greater grasp than that OF nero
tyio 10 comprehend the tremendous potentiality
Of Mclean in Democratic politics IL he wins
OUT in the important race in which he is now
entered. No matter what his protests; no mat
ter what his dscamers-he will discaim
everything and protest everything before the
event-McLean's election menaces Bryans
supremacy. means Bryans defeat. II viii have
that effect matter what Mclean himself may
! think mean now
MLEAN's CHANCES IN OHIO.
Can Mclean be elected Governor Of Ohio? This
IS the all important question which Republicans
In public life are now propoundng 10 them
selves and their associates. There Is no at
tempt whatever to conceal from themselves the
effect Of such an event uron Republican pros
pects the only question is Can he be elected?
Onto is normally a Republican state In the
light Of its recent elections and the favoring cir
cumstancos Of general prosperity. and remem-
herring that one of hel favorite sons now occu-
pies the Presidential chair, every consideration
W, uld prompt the one universal answer ~
mo- 10 this query. Nevertheless, It is easy 70
gather here that many shrewd and we'll in
formed politicians from all quarters Of the coun-
try have many misgiyings upon this subject,
and that they do not consider McIean's elec-
ton as entirely improbable. Their reasons are
not far to find.
While It is true that Ohio. like NewYork is
naturally a Republican state the tariff and
general Republican issues. 1t IS yet subject 70
sudden and unexpected political storms and re-
vulslons as the West India Islands are to tor
nadoes Wildcat money issues have always had
a strong pull in the Buckeye State. and in of
years under far more unfavorahle circumstances
than the present. the Democrats have often de-
feated Republican tickets on this and other mis-
leading questions 1t is true the Republican
candidates for the Presidency have always had
the electoral votes or Ohio yet for many years
~t,.U -
close and debatable state in the october elec-
tons With but a short interval the Demo-
Gratis Of Ohio have maintained a Senator IN
Congress from the days Of the civil War until
the close Of the late Mr. Brice's term 1t is not
an unusual thing 10 a majority of The Con-
gressional delegation from Ohio elected by the
Democrats That party has secured the Cow
ernorship and State administration several
times in the last thirtX years
on the tariff issue. of which Ohio man was
the very embodiment the Republicans finally
swept everything before them and took Ohio
out Of the doubtful column Of States. Yet no
further back than 1889 Campbell defeated For
aker for Governor and in 1892 Harrison barely
saved the State from Cleveland by a beggarly
thousand or so Of plurality. It is only since the
rise Of William Mckinley that Ohio has been
considered safely Republican Although the
Ohio masses take kindly to rat money and cheap
silver ideas. McKiney's personal popularity and
State pride together rolled up heavy Republic
can majority against Bryan in 1896,
DANGERS TO OHIO REPUBLICANGSM.
But unfortunately. there is no longer tariff
issue 10 give cohesion and head 10 Ohio Repub-
ucanism That ls one Of the Republican policies.
like the Old anti-slavery contention. which the
q Republican party has carried to a successful
conclusion and fastened upon the country With
ont a dissent from any quarter worth considera-
tlon Parties are now struggling with fiscal
! questions and the new policies preclptated by
/ tbo hon