Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-30

Forecast Of the Campaign.
With the probability of McLean's NOM
ination SO clear it is possible to Judge
somewhat of the shape which the cam
paign will take. The spirit of the mass of
the democrats Is that of resignation, and
though political party may be resigned
to its fate it is not likely to go to that fate
with enthusiasm. This describes the con-
dition of the Ohio democrats They NAV
develop some aggressiveness at a later
stage Probably they will make a squirt or
two, but 1t will not be a joyous campaign,
except for the professional politicians, who
Will be able to demand and secure liberal
expenditures from the candidate.
A hint is given that McLean's purpose is
to make national issues prominent and that
leading democrats from other parts Of the
country will be invited to take part. This
is a doubtful statement, the truth falls
ity of which will be demonstrated later
The platform will be a Bryan through
and through though it seems to be under
stood that unnecessary emphasis will not
be given free silver. But Candidate Nc
Lean will make the declaration explicit
enough SO that he will not have to meet
charges of disloyalty to Bryan and silver
in the midst of his canvass. Many Ohio
democrats are favorable to expansion, yet
they will stand by and let their party go
wrong on that subject without protest.
Representative John ]. Lentz who is to be
the oratorical mouthpiece of Mclean,
wants a radical anti-imperialism and anti
expansion plant. and he will probably have
his way. He thinks it will prove a bait
with which to catch the German vote.
There is no denying that many Germans
are against expansion, yet in Ohio they are
not showing pronounced tendency to play
into the hands OF democratic politicians
Mayor Jones of Toledo.
Jones, the golden rule mayor of Toledo.
promises to be brier in the side of the
Mclean candidacy. A few months back
the democrats were encouraging him in the
belief that he would draw a large labor
vote from the republicans. Now the boot
is on the other foot. Jones says, in sub
stance, that Mclean is a typical political
plutocrat, and he (Jones) is going to
pose him (McLean) on the stump. If Mayor
Jones carries out his purpose of making
an Independent canvass most of his grape
shot will be directed against Mclean.
Jones pi omiSes to travel over the state in
an automobile. which would be one means
of dra wing hearers. 1t is not likely that
he would poll large labor vote. but what
he did receive would come chiefly from
Mclean. In Toledo, where his personal in-
fluence is great, he would unQuestionably
do harm. In order to combat him Mclean
has bought newspaper in Toledo and
taken some of his brightest men from Gin
cinnau to run it,
These are incidental features of what
promises to be unusually interesting
campaign. But 1t all hinges, so far as
Candidate Mclean is concern
ed, on the senatorship. While climbing up
that ladder he will. not object if his control
Of the Ohio democratic machinery enables
him to control the delegation to the ma
tional democratic convention and exercise
an influence there l think he would be
willing to take the nomination for Vica
President or even for President If Mr..
Bryan declines. CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.