Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-04-27
SUSPICIOUS sTRAws
Which Indicate That Lentz Is a Candidate
for Governor.

ing. II blew in from Sharon TOWNSHIP
yesterday afternoon. On account O
this hoIrid weather. Farmer Allen d
Myers came to town to mingle Will
the statesmen who warm the chair
about the lobby of the Neil. He hat
been there just long enough to brusl
the hay-seed out of his hair, when
discussion arose over Colonel xii
bourne's suggestion of applying ths
referendum to the domination of the
state ticket Mr.. Myers rather hooted
at the idea, and turning on his heel
left the group. While the subject was
still on his mind he was accosted by
the reporter and asked:
Whats the matter, Mr.. Myers, with
Colonel Kilbourne's primary pIan?
Why, everything is the matter with
it. In effect, it is nothing more nor
less than local option. which is more
popular phrase anon. the anti-saloon
people thai among Democrats, few
OF whom have not yet joined the anti
saloon league. An unwritten page of
the history of the GAINESVILLE conven-
tion illustrates this point. Mr.. Nc
Leans friends were caught mapping,
or rather the man whom Mr.. Mclean
entrusted with his part of the pro-
gram, was fast asleep while the plat
form committee was at work. Mr..
Mclean was not opposed to the inser-
tion of clause favoring the initiative
and referendum, but wanted it limited
to questions of public franchises. But
when finally constructed the limit had
been taken off this clause and every
thing else. The able gentlemen who
framed that clause had no idea what
trouble it would cause later on. This
was discovered when the brewers of
the state were asked to contribute to
the campaign fund. They refused to
do so, and when expostulated with
they said: Why you fellows are in
favor of local option. That Is a cause
to which we never contribute and
they did not, though two years before
that when the party had not yet been
initiated to the referendum notion,
the brewers contributed literally.
While Colonel Kilbourne's idea
may be considered progressive one so |
far as the candidates are concerned, |
where is the party going to get its
platform? Issues are sometimes more !
important than men, and the people |
Will this year expect us to have some.
The candidate could not formulate the |
platform, nor the state central com
mittee, for that would be bossism In
the fullest and broadest sense of the |
term. Even the Republicans have
never gone that far. They at least go
through the form of having conven-
ion pass on the platform"
Your disapproval Of Colonel Kill
)ourne's plan does not imply that you
ne opposed TO his nomination for gov
.rnor, does it?"
Il don't know whether there is any
implication in it. but as a matter OF
act l am opposed to his nomination
hough l have a high personal regard
or him"
who are you for?" the reporter
sked.
John J. Lentz, who is also Frank
in county man"
Considerably taken back .by this an
wer, the reporter asked: "Weren't
ou opposed to Lentz for Congress-"
Yes, but am for him for governor" |
Why soT'
Well, might say, Consistency is
u, bugbear of weak minds but there
re weightier reasons for my change of !
ase. The Democrats have never been
bIe TO elect man worth a million, or
n approaching that figure. governor !
( tnis state. BcokwaIter was defeat !
for governor. though worth mil
ons. as were also Horace l.. Chap
ian and John R. Mclean. Geo.
uD@LAIE wEA-A aDCAN Aa4t SLabc WIN ,
atched boots and swept Foraker on {
is feet Campbell was also a poor S
IAN Bishop only had a moderate 7
and what he did nOssess
lignJ have turned the scale against
i'm if he had not been running against 1
blind man. MiIlionaires will do as 5
innidates for Senator. but not for I
OVernoT. ?
With Kil5ourne as the candidate I
le party workers would expect much, v
! fact. more than even such man as 4
e could afford to donate to the cam a
aign- Lentz IS a poor man. The {
orkers would net expect anything 4
ON him" c
But how could Lentz be a candidate 6
ken he has pledged himself to sup
1rC KilbOurne? e
Why, when did the Democratic c
lTty delegate TO Lentz and Kilbourne d
ie authority TO decide who would be p
ie candidate? This is a matter for 7
le people TO decide. and they will do Il