Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-06-25

Joseph B. Foraker, as temporary chair
man of the Republican State Conven-
ton, delivered here today:
Gentlemen of the Convention:
Our approaching election will be the
most important held this year in the
United States. 1t is but state cleo
ton in name, but it will be distinctly
national in both character and import.
ance.
STATE AFFAIRS.
The administration of ofGovernor Nash
has been so wise, so economical, so
just, and so efficient that it stands alb
absolutely without criticism. There is
no issue with respect to it, and none
can be made.
The last General Assembly was
model. 1t enacted only wise laws, and
in every way guarded the public well
fare.
Our state institutions are all in ex-
cellenj condition and the financial af-
fairs of the State were never more
satisfactory.
If, therefore, only state officers and
State question were involved we could
be safely content to point to the record
and claim the peoples verdict.
But more is at stake-vastly more
and therefore we see the signs of com
ing battle and must expect determined
opposition.
NATIONAL QUESTIONS.
The Legislature chosen this year will
be charged with the duty of electing a
United States Senator and re-district-
ing the State for representation in
Congress.
We now have two Republican Sena-
tors and seventeen Republican mem
bers in the House of Representatives.
If the next Legislature should be Dem
ocratic, we will have but one Senator
and not more than twelve Republican
Congressman, and probably not more
than ten-the number we We're allowed
gerrymandered the State-and this re-
duced representation in the National
House of Representative would be
fastened upon us, not simply for the
next Congress, but for the next ten
years, making a net loss to us of not
less than twenty-five votes in Con-
gress for the next decade.
1t is this fact that gives the cam
paign upon which we are entering it's
national character, and thrusts upon
us, whether we would have it so or
not, the discussion and consideration
of national policies and national ques-
tions; and it is for this reason that
every vote cast in our State next Nov
ember will be a vote for or against
the Administration of William McKin
ley, just as certainly and emphatically
as though he were again our candidate
this year as he was last for we must
of necessity, by the action we take, en-
dorse his work and give him encour-
agement or dscredit his record and
embarrass his efforts.
McKINLEY'S ADMINISTRATIVE.
His first administration was trium-
phantly successful, but it could not
have been so had it not been supported
by Republican Congress. His sec
ond administration can be, and will be,
even more illustrious than his first if
we give him the same support, but it
cannot be, and will not be so, if We
withhold it.
All this might betruthfully said as to
the election of Members of Congress
from any State, but it is particularly
true when spoken of Ohio.
This is the Presidents own State.
In population, wealth, intelligence,
and influence we stand in the very
forefront. Ohio represents the ave-
rage sentiment of all the states. When
she speaks the whole country gives
heed. Our influence affects the Presi-
dent-affects Congress, affects public
opinion, affects public policies, deter
mines public questions, and promotes
or retards the public welfare
The achievements of the past -four
years are still in large measure in
complete and insecure.
We have uneXampled prosperity, but
Democratic wave would blight it.
We have unheard of combinations ol
capital against which the rights of the
people must be guarded without de-
stroying our industries, or retardine
our developments.
We have added new lustre TO oul
arms and new glory to our flag, but al
application of Democratic policies
would tarnish one and dim the other
we have expanded our limits. ad
vanced our jurisdiction, and assumed