The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-08
TRENDTOWARD DEMOCRACY
The Lesson of the Elections in the
Cities of Ohio.

Representative Norton Discusses the
Recent Contests-Noters Allowed to
Register Their Free VIII - Tom
L.. JOhnsOn's Sweeping Victory.
Representative Norton returned to
Washington yesterday from Ohio.
where re has been in the thick of the
mayoralty contests which have been en-
livening the politics of the Buckeye
State for several weeks past. He is
cheerful and optimistic over the out
look for the future success of the Demo-
cratic party in his State. and believes
that the outcome of the contests in the
cities portends well.
He inclinesi to the opinion that there
is a great deal doing in politics
in Ohio. and that the straws
showing the way the wind blew in the
mayoralty contests were many, and
were definite in the trend they indi-
Gated. Furthermore. he suspects that
Ohio may extend her business of pro-
ducing Presidential candidates, and
may offer. as a change, one of Demo-
cratic faith.
mo one can deny that the city cleo
tions show remarkable increase in the
power of the Democratic party in the
State of Ohio he said last night. In
many cases Democratic mayors have
been elected where Democratic mayors
have not held the seat for generations,
and the war has been carried into
Africa with a vengeance. That in the
very state of Mr. Mckinley. and espe-
cially of Hanna. it should be possible
for Democrats to win in some cases by
such handsome majorities is a most en-
coura ging sign. 1t rot only shows the
strength of the Democrats, but ii DEM
onstrates the weakness of the Repub-
licans. l am sure that were the in
fluence which the money of the great
interests headed by Hanna and others
exerts removed even for short time.
we would see a remarkable change in
the politics of Ohio.
Il think that the people are, to
great degree, naturally Democratic One
has only to go to the figures and facts
of these recent elections to show it.
Tom L. Johnson won in Cleveland by
about 5000 majority. Sam Jones. of
Toledo had a handy 1000 to spare.
Henckle, of Columbus. had at least 400,
if not 500. lead over his competitor. And
what does all this mean? 1t simply
means that the citizens. voting without
any bribery or any influence of money,
chose the men with. Democratic prin- |
ciples to lead them.
Hanna and his crowd did not make |
much of an effort to influence the city |
elections. They could not do it, because |
they had no money at hand to use. The |
drain put upon them by the campaign |
fund during the Presidential election |
was SO great that the treasury was ex-
hausted SO the city elections went ac
cording to the will of the people Ham |
ilton. Lima, and a dozen other county /
towns OF similar size, about which no |
fuss was made. all went Democratic, !
and 1 quote them simply to show how
the feeling for the Democracy has !
grown in rural districts.
..The victory of Henckle was one |
worthy of notice He won without any |
assistance. and against the opposition |
of all the politicians; even the most in
fluentisI of his own party. 1t was the
and extension OF the street railway
franchises, and Henckle had his way
by about 400 or more votes. That was
really plurality OF about 1000, for the
Republicans had previously carried the
city of Columbus by about 1,500. That.
you see. was really boarding the Re
publican lion in his den. The great |
weakness OF the Republican party lies |
in it's constant chickering's. There are ,
Foraker and Foraker factions, /
Daugherty and anti-Daugherty parties, |
supporters of Nash and anti-Nash men.
This is an evidence of the fact that the
party is rapidly losing its hold ON the
State
Tom Johnson, in Cleveland. did the
same thing as did Henckle. and did it
handsomely. The Democrats are be-
ginning TO look upon Johnson as a can
didate for high offices. He is in a pc
culiar position. He is rich man, and
has made all his money in street rail
ways. Now he is going to fight against
the laws under which he made his
money He admits thai he was enabled |
10 amass his fortune by virtue of enact
ments which he now considers wrong.
He is against the favoritism of law,
which he claims is the father Of all i'm
mense fortunes. He is for the 3-cent
street railway fare. and it is surprising
10 see how great mis- following is. Thou
sands of voters In the city, irrespective
of party, are asking that his theories
be put into effect Immediately. includ-
You hardly realize that it is medicine when