The times., 1899-09-01

of John r. Mclean by the GAINESVILLE con-
vention has given interest and animation
TO the fight, and there are not wanting
signs to show that probabilities of Dem
ocratic success have been Frightened by
the selection of the Cincinnati editor to
lead the party's hosts. Democrats are
unanimous that better nomination could
not have been made, and even Republi-
cans here admit that the candidacy Of Mr..
Mclean has placed Ohio once more in the
column Of doubtful States"
There seems to be a feeling, PRESENT.
ment, perhaps a superstition that the
Buckeye State ought to go Democratic
about once in so many years. The indi-
cations this fall seem 10 point to such a
result. There is no mistaking this ten
dency when one talks with Ohio men o.
either political party. The Democratic
impulse is felt on every side. 1T seems
! to be in the air that this is going to
be a Democratic year in Ohio" said
prominent Republican from Cleveland yes
terday.
Democratic Victory Due.
81 can't account for exactly" he contin-
ued. but I've observed that whenever this
feeling becomes general, as it is today,
the State. for some reason or other Gops
over. TO the Democratic side. / don't like
| to be thought superstitious, but / have
come to the conclusion that the voting pop
ulation of Ohio is just volatile enough tc
| fly on at a tangent every now and then and
go back on the Republican party
That sentiment was repeated today by
at least twenty different men from differ
ent sections of the State in conversation
with the correspondent for The Times.
Called superstition, it really arises
from certain elements of peculiar strength
known to be possessed by the Democratic
party, and by the Democratic nominee in
the present campaign, as well as by certain
| admitted weaknesses of the Republican
position throughout the State
Ohio is nominally Republican only by
/ about twenty thousand plurality. That is
/ the opinion of men who are intimately
acquainted with the voting population. Ii
is true that in recent years the State has
gone Republican by much larger pluGali-
/ ties. These pluralities have been caused
/ by peculiar reasons. They are not an ac-
/ curate criterion Of the strength of either
party. They have been rolled up on account
/ of State pride or because of unayoid-
able weakness of the Democratic position
I In 1896 more than a million votes were
cast for the Presidential nominees That
was considered a tremendous vote-an abb
normal vote. 1t is conceded that in any
ordinary election Ohio is properly a close
State. This year there are reasons which
make it exceedingly so.
The Republicans are. according 70 their
own admissions, split up into factions.
The Eanna- Foraker rows have stirred up
relentless hate. Dick and Kurtz the re-
spective leaders of the factions, refuse TO
/ be reconciied. 1t is believed that this hos
tility viii be carried 10 the polls. 1t is said
that thousands OF Republicans are still de-
! termined to throw of the Hanna yoke.
| They realize, 1t is reported that if the
Hanna ticket is elected this year they
can hope for no recognition from the Re-
publican party. They believe that their
political careers are at stake. They say
that if they can. by indifference or by open
opposition TO the Hanna regime, defeat the
purposes Of Mr.. Hanna this year, they will
then be in position to dictate satisfactory
terms in the future.
Senator Foralzer's Attitude.
Senator Foraker is a candidate fer re-
election to the United States Senate The
Legislature to choose his successor viii be
elected not this year, but in 1901. His
only interest, therefore. in this falls Leg
islative ticket is in the FIRST -termers, "
who viii, as is customary, be renominated
for the Legislature in 1901. Senator Fora
| ker's friends. therefore, have no strong
personal interest in the election this fall.
There is nothing 10 prevent them from
getting square with their old enemies
Of the Hanna stripe. The fact that Hanna's
right bower" Colonel Dick, is directing
the Republican campaign has awakened
determined hostility from Senator Fora
kers friends. They realize, it is said, that
this election affords admirable oppor-
tunity 10 crafty their sense Of revenge.
The fact that Senator Foraker is sure of
reelection at all events and that he is
admittedly the most popular Republican
in Ohio. will not tend TO drive his friends
to the support of Senator Hanna in this
campaign
The Republican position is said to be
weak also on account OF certain national
issues. The people of Ohio are patriotic
They will support the United States Gov
ernment when at war. They think that
the only thing 10 do in the Philippines is
TO whip the insurrectionists good and hard
and a. once. But they believe that the
situation in the East is deplorable and
they think that this country has been
forced into that position by what one Re-
publican today called q set of blank fools
There is a strong undercurrent over all
the State that the Republican Federal Ad-
minisiration has blundered and noundered
over and over since the end of the
Spanish war. Algerism, Eaganism, and
Corbinism will also be factors N the cam
paign-
Pension Commissioner Evans is also a
figure in the canvass. He is censured
roundly by the soldier vote. His attitude
toward the pension question will il is
thought, cost the Republicans thousands
of votes. The ADMINISTRATORS policy in
regard 10 civil service is not popular in
Ohio II isSznown that the Carter case has
already prejudiced many against the Re-
publican ticket.
The candidacy of Mayor Jones, Of Toledo,
will, il is thought. weaken the Republican
ticket more than the Democratic. The la
Dor vote in Ohio is almost unitedly against
the Republican party. II will not be di
verted TO the Jones candidacy. Jones was
elected mayor of Toledo by Republican
votes, and if he should run for Governor
he would be supported largely, It is
thought, by the independent element, which
otherwise would vote for Judge Nash.
To set off these many weaknesses tie
Republicans have the prestige OF recent
victories the Federal and State Admins
trations TO rely upon for the sinews of a
campaign, the fact that Ohio is the Presi-
dents State. and, what is not TO be de-
spised, the excellent, the irreproachable
official and personal character OF Judge
Nash the Republican nominee.
The Democratic Position.
The Democrats are confident and high
spirited. They are united upon the issues
set forth in their platform. They are har-