Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-07
Will Open Their Campaign
Next Month.
LIKELY AT MANSFIELD
DEMOCRATS MAY NOMINATE TOM
l.. JOHNSON.
Fight Promises to Be Merry One
Legislature Will Elect
Senator
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, August 1.-THE Ohio
republicans expect to open their campaign
either September u or 10. The occasion
will be an epoch IN the political history of
the buckeye state. A very distinguished
list of party leaders will be in attendance,
and preparations for the event now ad-
vancing on large scale.
The hard work of the republican state
committee is 1T present devoted to the leg
islative phase of the camp align. for this is
where the chief trouble is expected.
1t has not been definitely decided where
the campaign will open, but it is likely that
Mansfield will be chosen.
The republicans of course. expect to
carry the state. They are more confident
of the state ticket than Of the Legislative
ticket. =
Mayor Tom l.. Johnson will be the center
and the life of the democratic campaign.
His organization throughout Ohio is a
strong one His chief lieutenant, Charles
p. Salem of this city, is an organizer of
the first magnitude. as Is evidenced by the
results in this city and county during the
past three years. His plan of organization
is being extended to all parts of the state.
Democrats Will Fight Hard.
The democrats have not completed plans
for their campaign. 1t will be a vigorous
one. however, and will be commenced as
soon as the ticket Is named.
AS to the ticket, there Is no longer much
doubt here that 1t will be headed by Mayor
Johnson. The mayor stated this morning
to The Eevening Star correspondent, that
he was not candidate. but If his appear
ance on the ticket would strengthen the
legislative situation he would not decline to
head the ticket.
The effect of this announcement would
appear to depress the Zimmerman boom
a oh 10,
mony with Mr.. Zimmerman, who is the only
active gubernatorial candidate.
Chairman Dick of the republican state
committee intimates that the nomination
or Mr.. johnson will suit republican leaders.
The republican leaders have looked with
great disfavor and some apprehension upon
the prominence taken in politics by Cleve-
lands mayor They openly say that the
thing to be most desired from their view
point is to eliminate Mr.. Johnson from the
political map of Ohio.
If Mr.. Johnson is named as the man to
head the democratic ticket Gen. Dick and
Senator Hanna seem to be of the opinion
that they can deliver him body blow 1t
is said that if Mr.. Johnson receives the
nomination unusual efforts will be made to
roll up tremendous vote In the hope Of
blasting the political future of the mayor
a one stroke
Republican Leaders Anxious.
The republican leaders anxious about
the matter for the reason that they have it
figured out apparently that unless Mr..
johnson is personally candidate they will
stiN have to deal with him in the state,
even if he goes upon the stump and the re-
pUblicans are victorious.
The republican. leaders seem supremely
confident of the ability of the party to de-
feat Mr.. johnson in the event he Is named
by the democrats. Colonel Herrick, asked
to express himself upon Mayor johnson as
his probable opponent said:
We'll, now, the mayor is a good fellow
and there ought to be some fun If he is
nominated"
The outlook for a strenuous campaign-S1
ONO Is excellent just at this time, and the
fact that a governor and a legislature
winch Will select senator are to be elect
ed will intensity the interest from this
time on.