The National tribune., 1906-09-06
pERsoNA1 poL1r1cs IN OHIO.

| PERSONAL POLITICS IN OHIO.
The great State of Ohio was born In
politics. and in the century since then
there has been more politics to the
square inch in the Buckeye State than
in any other north of Mason and Dix
on's line. The great National issues
which disturbed the country in the past
| century made their principal battle
| field in Ohio, and there were fought
the Gettysburgs and Chickamaugas of
| the Slavery Question. the War Issues.
the Reconstruction, Greenbackism, Pro-
tective Tariff and the Free Silver issue.
This year there is a fight on as in
tense as ever. but it is a purely personal
one, and Involves the prestige and po-
litical lives of several prominent Ohio
ans. The State Republican Convention
it is expected that it will be marked by
close. deadly. hand-to-hand fighting
which will result in a large casualty
list. At this distance from the front Il
appears that the first alinement will be
between the two Senators on the one
side and the squadrons led by Repre-
sentative Burton on the other. The
first puzzling feature Is the strange al
lance between Senators Foraker and
Dick, who have heretofore led different
and generally opposing wings of the
party. Senator Foraker, one of the
most brilliant men that the State ever
produced, has been more often than
dominant faction in the party. He had
a lifelong struggle with Senator Sher-
man for his position in the party's
leadership. and when the baton of lead
ership fell from Sherman's aging hands
it was grasped by the virile fist of Mark
Hanna. with whom Foraker had to
struggle. A remnant of Hanna's mantle
fell upon his lieutenant, Senator Dick.
and it was enough to secure the latter
the succession to the Senatorship. With
1t came the rivalry with Foraker. This
at times became quite bitter. Now
Foraker and Dick make common cause
against Representative Burton. The
animus OF this alliance Is little diff
cult to understand. On the surface it
is said to be opposition to Representa-
tive Burton's intention to discipline the
Ohio Senators for their lack OF har-
mony with the President. This ex-
PLANTATION does not wholly explain. Rep
resentative Burton. who has never
seemingly aspired to leadership, but has
rather seemed more Of the scholastic,
theoretical statesman, has come to the
front as the leader Of the Ohio delega-
tion in the House since the defeat of the
veteran Grosvenor. The first move in
his campaign was directly against
Dicks retention of the State Chairman
ship, and upon that question will be
shed the first blood at Dayton. It is al
legged that behind Burton stalks the
candidacy of William H. Taft for the
Republican nomination for President,
with Ex-Gov. Herrick. Harry M. Dough-
erty, of Columbus; Robert Wolf, a mil
lionaire shoe manufacturer and owner
OF several newspapers. as the main Taft
boomers. Burton is said to favor the
selection of Representative Nicholas
Longworth. Representative E. L. Tay-
lor or Elmer Dover as Senator Dicks
successor as Chairman Of the Ohio Re-
publican Committee. and he promises
that unless Dick steps down and out
there will be one of the most vociferous
times ever known in an Ohio Repub-
lican Convention. which Is promising q
good deal. as there have been conven-
tons In Ohio which were far from be-
ing characterization convocations.
The present temper of both sides is ex-
ceedingly favorable to a fight which
will leave no doubt at the end as to
who has won the victory and entitled
to the championship.