Iron County register., 1899-05-25
REPUBLICAN DISCORD.
There Is Lots OF Trouble in the
Ranks Of the Faithful
In Ohio.

| the rumor that he might be the repub
lican Harmony" nominee for governor
by saying over his own signature that
he is not candidate, does not wish his
name mentioned in that connection
and would not accept if nominated
That ought to settle it.
Mr.. Sherman mentions his advanced
| age as sufficient reason why he cannot
think of becoming candidate for the
position, but that was taken into ac-
count by those who set the report GO
ing,r and it was pointed out that, as the
governor of Ohio is not bothered with
many things which the governors of
other states have to consider, his age
would be no serious objection. If his
nomination would bring harmony into
the now sadly divided and demoralized
ranks of the republican party in Ohio,
his 76 years would count for gain in
stead of being an objection. There
would be assurance that he would not
use his opportunities in the Office to
plan for a second term.
In the record of the republican party
of Ohio from the beginning there has
been nothing to equal the demoraliZa-
ton and disorder of the present time.
The prospect is for convention with
contesting delegations from all the
more important counties and with n
probability of an organized bolt which
ever faction gains control. Not even
the evil influence of republican dissen-
sion and consequent disaster this year
upon the fortunes of Mckinley in the
national convention of next year can
bring the warning factions to an agree
ment. Each faction seems to regard
the destruction of the others as of
greater consequence than its own sue
cess.
The present situation in Cuyahoga
county is typical. Here are three fac
tions headed by Holcomb, Hanna and
McKisson, each determined to send to
the state convention delegation of
it's own and each with machinery to
carry out that purpose. Hamilton
county is preparing to send couple of
warning delegations, and other coun-
ties are likely to follow the example of
these two.
Senator Hanna insists on the necessi-
ty of the state being under his control
as an assurance to the party in other
states that Ohio is loyal to Mckinley.
The anti-Hanna elements, fighting
among themselves for the possession
of the state, make common cause
against Hanna. Some of them want
to show the president that Ohio is
safer for him without the Hanna in
cubus, and others who believe McKin-
ley and Hanna cannot be dissociated at
present are against both.
The most demoralizing element in
the situation is that nobody puts faith
in anybody. Hanna supposed that in
this county Holcomb was doing his
work, but found too late that Holcomb
has ambitions of his own and that he
was ''confdencing" the Junior senator.
McKisson has a lively recollection of
the manner in which he was knitted by
the Hanna faction and is determined to
get even, but he is equally bitter against
the Holcomb faction for the same rea-
son. Kurtz is on the warpath against
Hanna, but is distrustful of McTisson,
and McKisson is uncertain how far to
play the game of Kurtz. Cox, the old
time Hamilton county boss, is again
taking an active part, but as he has
played fast and loose with both sides
lately there is distrust on each side as
to his real intentions. Senator Foraker
is noncommittal. He has of late pro-
fessed loyalty to the president, but that
deceives nobody. least of all Hanna. To
his old allies, Kurtz, Cox and McKis-
son, he is seemingly cool, and is prob
ably holding off until he can see bet
ter where his interests lie in the next
senatorial contest.
Among the gubernatorial candidates
Daugherty is sure of but one thing at
present-the uncompromising hostili-
tv of the Hanna faction. Nash thinks
he has the Hanna support, but is suspi-
cious that he may be dumped at the
last moment for some other more prom
ising candidate among the number OF
'favorite sons" and clark horses that
have come into view. Then there is
Sam Jones, the 'Golden Rule" mayor
of Toledo, whose populistic doctrines
may not be serious obstacle if either
of the factions should deem him the
handiest instrument for its use.
AS for the principles for which the
fight is ostensibly to be made, nobody
thinks or cares much. "Any old thing
will do for platform for the winning
candidate for the nomination to stand
upon.
The Generalization of the republican
party in Ohio can be traced directly to |
the introduction of bossism. 1t was the |
boast of both parties in this state that
there was no state boss, either repub- |
lican or democrat. In an evil hour the |
boss made his appearance. But the |
Ohio republican boss was deficient in |
tact, and instead of a union of the party |
under an all-powerful leader there was
revolt against arrogant dictation. The |
result is the present division and de-
alization.-Cleveland Plain Dealer |
OPINIONS AND POINTERS.