Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28
APATHY ALARMS BOTH SIDES.
Political Managers Interpret It to
Suit Their Own Interests.
ial Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

CLEVELAND, October q, 1902.
AS the day of election draws nearer the
lines begin to tighten and the campaign
which so far has been spasmodic is warm
ing up. When the democratic leaders met
at Columbus few days ago they discovered
that, with the exception of Cuyahoga county
and the sections where Mayor Johnson s
tent had been, General Apathy was SEEM
ingly In command of the forces. The re-
publicans have been making the same COM
plant. Though the committees of each
party have been working as never before,
holding meetings and sending forth dray
loads of literature, the voters generally de-
cline to be stirred up, except when Cleve-
lands mayor comes around with his tent
and automobile Perhaps it Is the novelty
or the thing that draws, but just the same
1t Is self-evident that Tom Johnson Is the
Issue this fall in Ohio. The republicans,
both in their speeches and their literature,
try to dodge him and endeavor to turn the
peoples attention to tariff reform, the Phil
lppines and the trusts. but the biggest thing
IN Ohio just now is Tom Johnson and his
Vagaries as the republicans term them.
Perhaps this is the first campaign in Ohio
IN which the two parties are fighting along
entirely different lines. The republicans de-
clare that national issues are paramount
Johnson says national issues are of secon-
dairy importance and his slogan Of home
rule and just taxation has been inscribed
on the banner Of democracy. The demo-
cratic speakers devote almost their whole
time to state. issues, denouncing the new
code bill and the present system of assess
ing tax values while the republicans saw
little about these affairs and urge the peo-
pie to follow Hanna's advice and stand
pat while they are enjoying good old re-
publican prosperity"
Managers Puzzled by Voters Apathy.
The general apathy Of the voters is what
puzzles the managers of both parties In
CCyahoga county there is plenty of stir and
even the most sanguine republican will ad-
NIT the johnson ticket will win, with prob
ably the exception of two men, Representa-
tive Burton, who has practically no oppo-
Sltlon Tor reelection, and the republican
candidate for sheriff are the only republi-
cans in this county that the sporting ele-
ment will post money on. There is also
a pretty warm fight in certain sections of
the thirteenth district where a Fremont
manufacturer Is trying to get Doc Norton's
seat In Congress. Things are warming up
In Bob Nevin's district, the third, and it
looks as if he would be defeated But out
sac SD. OF these places there is scarcely enough
life in~the campaign to tell people what is
going on. Republicans say this means that
the majority of the people are satisfied to
let wen enough alone and forecasts a big
republican victory. Senator Hanna, In his
speech at Cincinnati recently, said he
thought the republicans will down Tom
Johnson by at least 10000
On the other hand the democrats saw that
TINS general stiffness and seeming apathy
is the quiet that proceeds the storm. and
means that when the ballots fall silent and
swift on November a blow will be struck
against George B. Cox the so-called repub-
mean boss OF Ohio, the man Ohio democrats
delight to ridicule.
Both Sides Are Uneasy.
Both sides are uneasy. This week saw
both Hanna and johnson in Cincinnati. the
domain Of Cox and Mclean, both Of whom
are enemies Of Johnson. Hanna was greet
ed by most enthusiastic outpouring. and
johnson following with two days tour of
the city, drew enormous crowds and was
given great ovation right in the den of
the two lions.
The republicans say the Mclean opposi-
ton to johnson means big republican gain
IN Hamilton, and the fact that Bernard,
McLean's Lieutenant, who controls the COM
mlttee. is doing practically nothing, gives
color to this claim. Johnson all along has
hoped for little from Cincinnati and Hamil-
ton county, but after his visit this week
may revise his claiming department. That
the Cleveland man does not expect to win
in Ohio this fall Is evidenced by remark
let fall at a recent meeting, when he said:
I'VE may not win this year or the next
but we will win finally. Our teachings can
not be ignored. Truth cannot be kept down
for long,
What Johnson really hopes for is to re-
duce the republican majority this year.
Then he intends to start out next July
with his circus tent and make visit to ey-
cry county in Ohio in a strong effort to get
a democratic legisla ture in Ohio next year
and defeat Marcus A. Hanna for the SEN
ate. This is one of his moves and one on
which he banks much. He thinks that the
working of the new municipal code VIII
cause much dissatisfa elton with the re-
publicans that democratic legislature can
be chosen, and thus his old political enemy
and neighbor reegated to the rear
Senator Hanna realizes that, and in his
jaunt across the state he has had an eye
open for his own future good, and is lay
Ing ropes already to more firmly bind that
senatorial seat.