The times., 1899-10-06
THE OUTLOOK In OHIO.
representative Norton Figures Ont
McI.ean,s Plurality


representative Norton Figures Ont
McLean's Plurality.
Representative Norton, Congressman
from the Thirteenth Ohio district, talked
Interestingly about the political situation
in the Buckeye State to Times reporter
last night. He expressed the belief that
John R. Mclean would be elected Cover
nor in November, and gave definite reasons
for his opinions. Mr.. Norton is one of the
leading Democratic managers in the State,
and stands as close to Mr.. Mclean as does
any other politician in Ohio. 1t was he
who placed the Cincinnati editors name in
nomination before the GAINESVILLE conven-
tion. His knowledge of the political situ-
alton is intimate, and he talked with The
Times man candidly and unreservedly.
The present campaign in Ohio is sim
pie enough to be understood by everyone,
said he. The election will be purely a
question of mathematics. The State is
normally Republican by about $4,000 llu-
rality. By that, l mean that when the
full voting strength of each party Is polled,
and there is no possible friction anywhere,
our friends, the Republicans, usually elect
their candidates by from 10000 to 10000.
have reason to believe that that plu-
rality will not only be wiped out this fall,
but that John r. Mclean will be elected
by substantial margin. / base that opin-
ion upon the following reasons: First, be-
cause of the unity of purpose among
Democrats; second, because of the wide
spread dissensions among Republicans;
and, third, because of the general dissat-
isfaction OF the people with many features
of the Mckinley Administration.
Now, for all the opposition may say to
the contrary, it is a fact that Ohio Demo-
Gratis are this year harmonious and AMI
mated by an earnest desire to elect their
candidates. There is no serious difficulty
anywhere. The supposed hostility OF cer-
tain Democratic factions has failed TO ma
terialize, and / have no doubt that before
the end of the campaign 1t will die out en-
tirely. The rank and file of the party are
lining up enthusiastically in support OF
John r. Mclean. He has touched the pop
ular impulse throughout the State, and
rallied Democrats everywhere to his stand
ard. There has not been within my recol-
lection any campaign, except in Presi-
Dental year, when Democrats in Ohio were
more astir or more active or more deter
mined than they are this fall. Wherever
you go, from Cleveland to Cincinnati, or
from Toledo to Dayton, you will find evil
dences that the great hosts of Democratic
voters are united in support OF the Demo-
cratic ticket.
Republicans, on the other hand, are be-
tween the devil and the deep sea. Conceal
il as they may try to do, it is a fact that
there are no fewer than $4,000 followers of
that party who will not vote for Judge
Nash. / am not criticising Judge Nash on
nnrc0nal grounds Hp iS elegant gent p
man, high-toned man, and as honest as
the sun. But as a candidate for public Of
flee he has been indiscreet and unwiSe. II
he had sat up nights trying to contriye how
he could stir up mutiny in the Republican
party he could not have succeeded better.
His attitude toward Governor Bushnell is
absolutely uncalled for, and wholly un-
just He practically, on two occasions,
courted an opportunity to insult Governor
Bushnell. There was no reason for his
conduct. Governor Bushnell is a clean, fine
man, and his administration, from a Re-
publican point of view, has been accepta-
bic. Judge Nash gratuitously declared war
on Governor Bushnell, and in such a way
that the Governor could not now be recon
ciled even if he wished to be. But he
doesn't wish to be. He and his friends
have accepted the challenge. The upshot
of it will be that Bushnell will defect from
MASH dl ltdSI lO,utu NOttS.
I'm regard to the dissatisfaction with the
Mckinley Administration, you have only
to talk with Ohio men to get the feeling
there. In spite of the glorious victories of
Manila and Santiago there is a widespread
sentiment throughout the State that the
Republicans have blundered and foundered
and managed to put this country in a
deplorable position in the Philippines. You
may call it anti-imperialism or anti-ex-
ranr ofr IL xa~t L., 80
it, and especially are they opposed to the
manner in which this Republican Admin
istration is carrying on the war l do not
think I eXaggerate when l say that that
dissatisfaction will result in keeping at
least 10000 Indifferent or apathetic Re-
publican voters at home. In addition to
this detection, 5000 Republicans will vote
for Mclean on account of personal con-
siderations.
so there 1t Is. Bushnells following OF
5000, the anti-Admnistration Republi-
cans numbering 10000, and 5000 personal
adherents Of Mclean. That makes a total
reduction of 10000 in the Republican vote
When / put it at 10000 / am estimating
conservatively. I might go on with de-
tails and say that Hamilton county will go
for Mclean; that the situation in Cuya-
hoga county is bad for the Republicans;
that Golden Rule Jones is petering out
and other things which everyone knows.
| might even point TO the warm brotherly
affection with which Senator Foraker's
friends regard the Hanna-Dick regime, but
that also is no secret / might add that
Mr. Hanna's home coming has not had the
effect OF promoting hilarious harmony
among Republicans in Cleveland. But all
those incidents are only sidelights to the
situation. The truth of the whole matter
is that the Democrats are bound together
with hooks of steel, while the Republicans
are split up into half dozen factions. Our
candidate, Mclean, is a brave. honest
generous man. He is one of the people,
has shown his sympathy with their needs
a thousand times and in a thousand ways
and he WILL in my opinion, be the next
Governor of Ohio"