Evening star., 1901-07-20
he is Beginning to Attract Attention
in Both Camps
BIDDING FOR DEMOCRACY'S FAVOR
Republicans at Sea as to a Can
didate.
n A NJ E S M E n TT o N E D

Presidential politics continues to be the
theme Of the politicians in their midsummer
discussions. This is the formative period
of many presidential booms still In en-
bryonic state. and the range Of talk Is wide
and comprehensive.
Tom Johnson of Ohio is beginning to at
tract attention in both camps. Nobody
knows yet what is his lay but his abnega-
tion of senatorial ambitions in Ohio has
drawn upon him suspicion of entertaining
higher aspirations. 1t is said that num-
ber of leaders, democrats and republicans.
are watching MIR. Johnson with apprehen-
sion and resentment.
Onslaught on Hanna.
Mr.. Johnson's recent onslaught upon Sem
ator Hanna has done more than anything
else to attract attention to him and to give
ground for the idea that he is coquetting
for democratic applause. 1t will be remem
bered that Mr.. Johnson within few days
secured action in Cleveland that resulted il
Senator Hannas railroad property being
assessed for about ten times its former
valuation. That is, where the railroads
We're valued in the taxation lists at about
$3.50 600, they are hereafter to be taxed
upon valuation Of about $6,O00OOO.
This. of course, is in line with Mr. John
sons new policy that he caused to be en-
grated upon the Ohio democratic platform.
But the politicians are looking further. and
they profess to see in 1T personal element,
an attack upon Hanna, per
The contention is made that Mr.. Johnson
Is catering to the popular democratic idea
that Hanna is to the democrats the only
bogey man. He Is the old boy, horns, hoof
and tail, Anything that downs Hanna,
therefore, in following this idea. ought to
be popular with the rank and file Of the
democracy. Every time You see Hanna's
head, hit 1t.
Bid for DemOcracy's Favor.
So. now they say that Tom Johnson is
making his first bid for democracy's favor
by going for Hanna tooth and nail 1t
may not be bad guess. Mr.. Johnson, 1t Is
claimed possesses many points of advan-
tage as a presidential candidate. He has
money as primary consideration and
one that is not to be overlooked by the
democracy at this time He is a business
man. and is supposed to possess the con-
fidence Of the business interests Of the coun-
try, notwithstanding certain and sundry
peculiarities of belief. popular perhaps with
the masses. but classed by the financial
people merely as tdiosyncrasies liable to
yield to argument and reason.
Mr.. Johnsons movements in the next
year will be followed carefully. The par
ties most concerned are now awaiting Sen
ator Hanna's next move. 1t WILL it is pre-
dicted. add to the interest of the occasion
at least.
Republicans at Sea.
The republicans are still very much at
sea In discussing the probable candidate
Of the party. There are so many elements
involved to make the question very in
teresting In the first place, what section
is to be the fighting ground, and. therefore.
likely to be drawn upon for the candidate?
Shall precedents be vacated and the party
cross the Mississippi river for q standard
bearer? Is New York to be taken into con-
sideration Of necessity and, If so how are
the Roosevelt and Odell claims to be COM
promised SO as to insure harmony and pre-
vent the use of the dreaded knife play
that has characterized the politics Of both
parties In the past Is Ohio to be given
ming. and, If SO. will Mr.. Hanna surrender
his supremacy to Mr.. Foraker2
If the party Is to go beyond the Missis-
sippi Gov. Shaw Of Iowa is talked about
II the choice Is to fall this side of the
father Of waters and adjacent thereto
Fairbanks Of Indiana comes to mind. If
Ohio is to have another show at the grab
bag Foraker naturally presents himself and
sets the guessers to work on Hanna's pos-
sible attitude.
Hanna Does Not Want 1T.
And In the latter respect the politicians
oiO hSpl SOAStdHlly GUESSING. oOLle we'll
Informed men profess to believe that Mr.
Hanna wants to be candidate. The con-
sensus Of opinion Is unfavorable to this
view. 1t might not be far out of the way
to hazard the suggestion that Mr.. Hanna
Will endeavor to build up a following, os-
tensibly in his own name. to be thrown
later to the candidate of his choice. In
fact, this belief Is strongly grounded in
many quarters.
Mr.. Fairbanks boom Is growing daily He
possesses the confidence of the Mckinley
men OF the middle west, and that Is a
great advantage. He stands for the ad-
ministration just much as does Mr. Han
ma, 1t Is claimed. He is in touch with the
great conservative interests of business and
nnance, 1t is asserted by his friends and
holds their esteem and respect He is can
tious, slow and wary There is reason tn
believe that the other candidates are wor-
ried over the Fairbanks boom.
Roosevelts Attitude.
There has been some talk lately about a
probable change in Mr.. Roosevelt's atti-
tude. In the popular mind Mr.. Roosevelt's
name Is associated with radicalism He is
supposed to be man who always wants to
do things There have been predictions that
he would, as presiding officer of the SEN
ate, make innovations and attract public
attention to himself In that way
1t Is now stated by some of Mr. Roose-
velt's friends that his course will be the
opposite 1t is predicted that he will win
the confidence of the senator's by conserya-
tlsm. make friends among the members of
the House, play for the friendship OF the
newspaper men and in every way conduct
his course upon lines conducive to con-
servatism and to cementing Of friendly ties
with influential interests
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