The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-08
Administration Influence in
the Ohio Campaign.
PRESIDENTS PERSONAL CONCERN
Federal Offiee-holders Who Can Speak viii
BE Expected to Join senator Hanna Upon
the stump or Otherwise tn Work for
Republican Success-Easy Limitations
Against Display of Partisanship-Efeet
of McLean's Nomination OH the State.

llldL lfiT EEESiIEDA anu MS auIiElliSll dAAbLl
viii do everything possible to aid in the
election OF Judge Nash as Governor Of
Ohio.
Anticipating the nomination Of John r.
Mclean by the Democrats, the Repub-
lican leaders look forward TO an extreme
ly hard campaign. There was a time,
some six weeks ago, when Chairman
Dick, OF the Republican State Committee
welcomed McLean's nomination, believ-
ing that he would run at least 20,000 votes
behind his ticket. This feeling has now
changed. II is realized that he is an ex-
cellent organizer, that he has close per-
sOnal relations with Republicans who are
not in sympathy with the President and
with Hanna, and that he is popular IN
those cities where the Republican cause
is the weakest. IN Hamilton County, for
instance. Mclean is sure TO receive a
large vote. The labor element will be
especially friendly TO his candidacy and
with the people generally he is popular.
He has the faculty of remembering names
and Of offering cordial greeting to his
acquaintances. If, in addition to his per-
sonal following, he should receive the sup
port of George b. Cox, he would insure
in Hamilton County a Democratic major
ity. Cox's support is not beyond possibil-
ity. The two men have always been
close friends, and although Cox went over
to Hanna at the Columbus convention,
receiving in return therefor the nomina-
tiOn of Judge Caldwell to be Lieutenant
Governor, he has nothing to gain from
Nash's election.
Hanna to Go Upon the stump.
1t is not likely that the President will
make any speeches in Ohio, although the
fact that he will pass through the State
on his way to Chicago and return in Oc-
tober may be seized as an opportunity
for some rear-platfOrm utterances.
Hanna, however, will go upon the stump
as soon as the campaign opens. He Is
very much pleased with himself as a cam
paign orator, and believes that he can
personally win many votes. The entire
administration contingent in Ohio will
work with equal earnestness for the Re
publican ticket. All of the office-holders
are not stumpers. and those who cannot
talk will be expected to cooperate with
the State committee in effecting organiza-
tion. The spell-binders will not be allow
ed to remain quiet. Assistant Secretary
of Agriculture Brigham, who is always
in request as a public speaker, will be
expected to get out upon the stump in
good season. and Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Richards, who is another popular
orator, viii also be in demand. Commits
sioner Watson, who is engaged in Wash |
ington in codifying the laws, and Commits !
siOner Kennedy, who is on the Porto Rico |
Commission, are also expected to travel |
through the State making speeches.
AS the campaign will be run upon ma |
tional issues, the introduction of these |
Federal Office-nolders will be regarded as |
perfectly proper. They are supposed TO |
be acquainted with the policies and the |
achievements of the administration, and |
to this extent, at least, will be better able |
tC cope with the Democratic takers than |
purely local alent.
Attorney General Grigcs' Position.
The oficeholders can enter the campaign |
with the knowledge that they will not be |
interfered with. Of course, the President |
is extremely anxious that Ohio shall go |
Republican in November not only because |
Judge Nash is his personal friend, but 1
also because he wants an Endorsement of /
his administration and of the war against |
the Fflipinos. He will not, therefore, place /
anv restraining influence upon those OF /
his appointees who are anxious to help
the cause. All legal doubt as to the pTo- |
priety of such action is removed by the |
opinion of Attorney General Griggs. who |
believes that it is rot only the right but !
the duty of the Presidents Cabinet Off |
GERS to explain 10 the voters the excel |
encieS of the administration Of which they
form a part. With the legal adviser Of |
the President holding this view as to the
duty of his colleagues in the Cabinet,
Il is easy TO see that subordinates who
take a prominent part IN the cam
paign will not be molested on the ground
)f offensive partisanship. Indeed, the cyl
gencies in Ohio just now make il abso-
utely necessary that those who have al
ready partaken of the plums of office
shall show their gratitude in practical
fashion
All laws and regulations bearing upon
he participation of Federal Oficeholders
n political campaigns are to be construed
With the utmost liberality. This is said
10 be especially true of the Post-office De-
Oartment. where postmasters, inspectors
and all other officials are TO be allowed
the largest possible latitude for partici-
patton IN the campaign They Will be |
4 Sked not TO neglect their business which
means that they can get substitutes or Sc
cure a leave Of absence; they must not
be offensive in an official capacity, which
means that they are not 10 withhold mail /
or do any other Illegal partisan act, and,
aStly, they must not act as citizens IN a
manner. These are the only
three limita uOns 10 be placed upon their |
conduct, and the consequence will De that |
the Federal ofhcenolder will flourish in
ne ONO campaign as ne has never -four
shed before