Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-07-28
POLITICAL
Pool Is Bubbling
Strong.
Probate Possibilities In
Portage County
Have the Wiseacres on the Keen
Guess.
Especial Correspondence

and the situation grows new com
plication every day. There are already
seven entries with the books still open.
Each is the exclusive owner Of a
"cinch," and will concede no prom
inence tc the aspirations of his rivals.
One of the "cock-sure" winners is
George f. Douthitt, ex-Clerk of Courts.
While there are people who think
that nil to naught is the ratio of his
political future, in this bailiwick, he
is not Of that number. Others may
be candidates for miracles. but not
he. He has no towers Of Pisa to
prop up, but is persuaded that his six
competitors are dwelling in houses on
the sand, which nothing but suspen-
sion of the laws of nature can keep
from falling into the sea when the
storm comes in August. Personal popu-
larity allied with peculiar political po-
tencies make him formidable figure
in the arena, Notwithstanding the fact
that he changed politics while in office.
OF unbroken Democratic ancestry
and himself staunch Democrat, he
was elected Clerk of Portage County
Courts in 1896, by his party. and in
something over year after taking
office. Joined the Young Mems Nc
Kinley club and began laying his plans
for n second nomination, this time,
Republican. A rarer piece of political
impudence, nearly successful, was
never chronicled, and he again signal
lied the magnetism of his makeup in
holding in obeyance all Republican am
bitions against him until the last mo-
ment, when he withdrew, not so much
because he feared defeat as for dicta-
tions of political prudence. 1t is to
no purpose that his political rivals,
Jealous and sore over his strange as
cendancy, attempt to challenge, the
sincerity of his new alignments or to
belittle his efforts. He says he is a
Republican and makes strong prima
facie case by promptly getting into
the office-sseking van. They can't re-
but such incontestable proof and are
therefore reduced to the necessity of
racing chariots with him hoping to
wreck him on the way. But they have
got the job of their lives. He is mix
er, gentleman at all times, and keen
to the changes of the hour. And
strange as it may seem, he is persona
grata with many Democrats.
A worrysome wizard he certainly is
to those of his fresh found faith. 1t Is
probable, however, that with union
of Democrats and hostile Republicans
who look askance at his new alignment
he could be defeated by the proper
campaigner in behalf of first class
Democrat.
The opinion of your correspondent
is that he is more than likely to force
nomination at the hands of those
who hate him. He has firstclass abili-
ties for the office.
Hon. A. 8. Cole, ex-Mayor of Ra-
VIENNA, and one of the best lawyers In
Northern Ohio, is the latest candidate
Messrs. Cole and Douthitt are former
law partners, and warm friends, and
it was supposed that neither would
| compete against the other, in accord.
| ance with compact between them
He is one of the strongest candidates
that could be named by his party
This leads to still different phase of
conjecture that is finding very positive
voicing in certain quarters. 1t is in
timated that Hon. o. p. Sperra, the
present incumbent, is all the while n
quiet candidate as syetunannounce fol-
fourth term, and is adroitly direct
ing events so as to bring face to face
the elements necessary for a cata-
clysm. and by the skill of silence and
the introduction OF new candidates
crystallize sudden sentiment for him
self as the only solution of the prob.
lem.
Judge Sperra, while winning his
last fight with the Democrats by the
/ slender margin of 20 votes, after a
campaign of exciting personality, is
nevertheless a very influential mem.
Der of his party, and has to his credit
three able administrations. Moreover,
he has convinced many who voted
against him in 1899 that he was wrong
ed and misrepresented.
Another prominent candidate is the
Honorable Harry Lincoln Beatty, ex-
member of the Ohio House of Repre-
sentatives, who, to the qualifications
of business lawyer, has added those
OF the long time office holder Harry
| is good fellow. and has many friends