Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-23
POLITICS IN OHIO
Democrats Start Early and
Active Campaign.
LED BY TOM JOHNSON
SOME UNEASINESS AMONG THE
REPUBLICANS.
Street Railroad Franchises Made an
Issue Through Attitude Of
Senator Hanna.
LED BY TOM JOHNSON
pecial Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special DISPATCH to The Evening Star.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 23.-The
sudden activity of the democrats In opening
their state campaign Immediately after
their state convention has made some re-
publicans uneasy about the result In ONO
this year, but Chairman Dick and his col
leagues in the republican state committee
admit no apprehension whatever. The plan
of Mayor Tom L. Johnson, who has COM
plete control of the democratic state cam
paign, in beginning campaign work as soon
as the ticket was nominated, was sur
prise to the republicans, but that 1t has not
specially alarmed the state committee, Is
sufficiently proved by the fact that the
committee has not advanced the date or the
republican campaign opening single day.
If it were not for the special session Of the
legislature, now in progress here, Chairman
Dick would feel that he could now outline
the course of the campaign as well as its
result. So many conflicting interests are
involved in the work to be done by the
legislature that the result Of the session
must remain in doubt yet. The session has
already been prolonged far beyond the time
when Governor Nash expected it would ad-
journ finally, and there is work enough yet
on hand to consume two more weeks
The street railway franchise question is
likely to become an issue in the campaign.
In this matter Senator Hanna gave to Tom
L. johnson AN issue to his liking by public
ly declaring himself in favor of perpetual
street railway franchises.
Opposition in the State.
The announcement that the senator would
ask the legislature to provide such a law
was met by opposition all over the state
and it was instantly apparent that it would
never do to attempt such legislation. The
senator has dropped the proposition, and
the republican state committee has put
itself in line with popular sentiment on the
matter, but Tom Johnson had taken it up
IN his campaign speeches, and will no doubt
make the most Of it throughout the cam
paign.
the congressional race out in Iowa has in
cidentally CAUSED more harmonious rela-
tons among republican leaders here in re-
gard to the campaign opening than there
when 1t was evident that as the result Of
several decisions by the supreme court a
special session Of the general assembly
would be necessary, Governor Nash called
council of republican leaders at Putin
bay to discuss the remarkable situation.
Not prominent republican, except Sena-
tor Foraker, was omitted in sending out the
invitations. What the reason was has not
been guessed. Senator Foraker did not
seem to notice it, but he could not help
feeling sighted. When he was invited to
speak at the Akron meeting. along with
Governor Nash and Senator Hanna, it was
no surprise to his many friends that Senator
Foraker urged a previous engagement-to
speak in Speaker Henderson's district on
that date. Elihu Root Secretary of War,
was secured to take his place, and so far
as speakers were concerned, there seemed
to be nothing wanting but the absence of
Foraker, 1t was felt. would have had a bad
effect. Now that he will not be held to his
engagement with Speaker Henderson, Chair
iu i,x-:t 49,,
Senator Foraker to speak at Akron and
under the circumstances he has accepted.
The Democratic Ticket.
The democratic state ticket is not very
strong Bigelow, the candidate for secretary
of state, is a sensational preacher, who has
adopted Mayor Johnson's well-known tax
ideas as his own. He has not Johnson's
mental caliber. He has been pastor of
Congregational church in Cincinnati for
four years and manages to keep himself
prominent In the newspapers by his radical
utterances In his sermons. He Is very
ordinary pub bile speaker. Mayor Johnson is
an entertaining and forceful campaign
speaker He Is covering the ground rapidly
In his automobile and doubtless will have
visited every county in the state before the
campaign closes. Such active campaigning
can hardly fail to arouse the members Of
the party.
1t is hard to view Johnson's forcing of an
Endorsement of the Kansas City platform in
the state platform as anything but a mis-
take. The party seemed to be getting far
enough away from the disastrous declara-
lions of 1896 for the gold democrats to re-
turn to the fold. This is likely to make
them hesitate again.
In the congressional elections in Ohio
but two districts are doubtful-this one, the
twelfth, and the third. The legislature last
winter cut Fairfield county, which is usual
ly good for a democratic plurality Of LOGO
or more, from this district and put it in
General Grosvenor's district. That, it was
believed, would make this district sure re-
publican. The republicans have nominated
Cyrus Hultng to succeed Mr.. Tompkins,
the latter declining another term, and the
democrats have nominated Judge D. G.
Badger. Badger Is very popular man,
while Huling is naturally austere BY
many the result Is regarded as doubtful
though the chances are that Huling will
be elected.
Colonel Nevin has been nominated again
In the third district by the republicans
and seems to have better chance for cleo
ton than he had two years ago. The demo-
Gratis have nominated against him Thomas
A. Seltz. Seltz operates several Iaundries
In Dayton, and undertook some time ago to
break up the local laundry-employes union
The result Is now that organized labor is
generally opposed to SeItz, and he Will
probably be defeated.
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