Omaha daily bee., 1908-07-07
Liquor Question Local Issue.

Liquor Question Local Issue.
Sc far as the national ticket in Ohio Is
concerned there is not a republican with
whom I talked during my visit to Cincin-
natl who did not enthusiastically express
himself for Taft, but there does exist some
doubt over the g~overnorship.
The distillers and the brewers of the
state are making a quiet but effective cam
paign against Governor Harris because of
the position he took with reference to the
so-called Rose BILL" in which he recon-
mendod to the legislature OF this state
serious consideration of either district or
county option. The Personal Liberty league
resepted this recommendation on the part
of the governor and has quietly gone ia
work to throw its votes to Judson Harmon,
Governor Harris antagonist on the demo-
cratic ticket. With the Personal Liberty
league openly fighting Governor Harris
there Is every reason to believe that the
Anti Saloon league will give the governor
its heartiest endorsement and support, so
that whatever votes Governor Harris may
lose in big cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland
and Toledo he will more than make up In
the rural districts, where local option Is
favored. Governor Harris recognizes ex-
listing conditions. and while not an optimtst
In any sense Of the term, he still believes
tina the state ticket will pull through ana
that Ohio Will remain In the republican
column. r-, ".s,t'' 'rsir -a,a. 4A-s,-
For a number of years there has been
more or less unrest in Ohio over the liquor
question, the Anti-Saloon league, which
is an extremely powerful organization, hav-
ing an almost school district organization
throughout the state. is determined that
tharn chaII ha Enrna lauiqlatiOn unOn the IL
uuor question, and Governor Harris seems
TO present better reasons for their support
than does his opponent, Judson Harmon.
Being a farmer, Mr. Harris will have the
great rural vote with him plus the Anti
Saloon interest in the large cities, and 1t
is extremely doubtful whether Mr.. Harmon,
no matter how popular he may be, can
overcome the vote which Governor Harris
will receive, and it seems, therefore, at
this time 1t is safe to predict the election
Of both the national and state republican
tickets II. Ohio, although the vote for
governor Vim be very much closer than
the vote on presidential electors.
Republicans Feel Confident.
In this view I am supported by State
Treasurer Thompson and Judge Shuck.
both old campalgners and men who know
the political situation throughout Ohio
better than almost anybody else. They
| recognize. that they have a fight on and
nothing will be left undone to win victory
at the polls next November.
Cincinnati is an extremely interesting
| city: its hills remind one OF Kansas City
very much, but its street railway facilities
are far in advance of the town on the Kaw,
The city still takes the greatest possible
interest in musical affairs; in its base
ball team and in Charley Taft, who ls
Williams brother. Charles Taft is the edi-
tor of one of the leading newspapers, is
a patron Of art and a base ball ian" and
a believer in Cincinnati and its destiny. He
is the towns biggest asset just now, not
only because of his riches. but because
he is the brother Of the republican candi-
date for the presidency.
One thing that struck me most forcibly
was the dirty and u~nsightly condition OF
the Rhine" as the old canal which flows
through Cincinnati is called, dividing IL
almost in two. lover the Rhine in to Ger
many" as they say. being suggestive OF
music halls, beer gardens, and the frank
furter. But the Rhine has ceased to
be a factor in tho commercial life Of tho
Queen City. It is now but an open aewer,
and until the water is bleached by some
chemical process II will so continue as
il meanders sluggishly to the river which
will chrry its germs OF typhoid and scarlet
fever TO the sea. Cincinnati is an inter
esting city and from a manufacturing point
of view stands pre-eminent. E. c. S.