New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-28
HIS OWN MONOPOLY.

Breathing out fire and slaughter against other
monopolists and nonopolies. the Hon. Tom L.
johnson has Just absorbed and taken personal
title TO what is left of the once powerful Demo
cratic party in Ohio. That mismanaged and
tattered but always virile and formidable, or
ganizstion has virtually surrendered its iden-
fifty II has ceased TO be self-governing, even
if misgoverned, body. It becomes-for the
time being at least-the inert and plant instru-
ment OF political wrecker, whose only aim is
an unchecked indulgence in the joys of personal
power.
Every move made at Columbus on Wednes-
day testified to the absolute character of the
receivership now set mp in Ohio by Mr.. John
son. The Cleveland Mayor had not taken the
trouble to announce his wish to be candidate
for Governor until nearly half the delegates to
the State convention had been chosen and been
pledged to vote for John L. Zimmerman. But
this little embarrassment was readily overcome
by instructing the Johnson State Central Com
mittee to seat from 125 to $50 contesting John
son delegates. Mr.. Johnson then presented
platform he had brought from Cleveland, nomi-
mated himself for Governor. chose his associ-
ates on the State ticket and forced the cOnven-
ton TO indOrse for election to the United States
Senate not Bookwalter, nor ingalls,, nor Zim-
norman nor even John J. LentZ. but pocket
candidate of his from his home city of
Cleveland. No more glarng exhibition of
Casarism could have been given. 1t was John
son first, last and all the time. No thought was
had of party interests, no attention was devoted
10 strengthening and unifying the Democratic
organization for this years campaign. The sole
consideration manifested was for the perpetual
ton and glorifcation of the Johnson regime.
1t is difficult TO treat seriously the decara-
tons or actions of a gathering so responsive to
one man rule as the Columbus convention. The
Endorsement given to Colonel Bryan and the
Kansas City platform echoes the resolutions
adopted a year ago at Sandusky under similar
pressure from Mr.. Johnson. Neither the CIeve-
land Mayor himself nor his Senatorial running
mate. John II. Clarke, believes in the practi-
cability of free silver coinage 1t is even adj
mitted that Mr. Clarke voted against Colonel
Bryan in 1896 on that issue. But so trifling a
vagary as free coinage easily be condoned
by the men who wrote the Ohio platforms of
1902 and 1903; for a mere revolution in our
financial system can have no terrors TO an tnno-
vator in other lines so drastic, so confident and
so ferocious as Mayor Johnson. In radicaIism
he is already years ahead of the Democratic
party in its widest mood, and he is glad to en-
courage its leaders in exploiting a folly like
silver imitation if he can thereby induce them
10 venture further into the fields Of legislative
quackery and socialistic experiment
Mayor Johrson's policies and leadership must
have the effect Of driving thousands of Ohio
Democrats into open rebellion. But evidently
he would rather rule unchallenged within a
beaten party than divide the credit for victories
with rival leaders. His candidacy is an invita-
ton TO defeat. 1t assures a doubly decisive Re
publican victory this year in Ohio