The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-03-31
SHERWOOD
Believes Prospects Good
For Democratic Suo-
cess In Ohio
CONDITIONS HOPEFUL


Washington, d. c., March 30.-After
weeks visit In Ohio Representative
Isaac r. Sherwood, of Toledo, has re.
turned to Washington. apparently
more than ever convinced that the
Democrats have an unusually promh
Ing prospect of carrying the state next
fall. Besides canvassing the situation
In the Ninth (Toledo) district, he
went to Columbus and met many Of
the politicians there and from them
learned much about conditions gener.
ally throughout Ohio.
II never saw the conditions SO hope
full for the Democratic party and
never saw the Republicans so demoral-
lied and discouraged" he said. "In
Toledo organized labor, now number.
ing over 5000, all voters, are taking a
referendum vote, and so far as heard
from all the local unions have decided
very nearly unanimously to go into
politics this year. This vote in tho
past has been from 85 to 70 per cent
Republican, and from a careful scru.
tiny l Judge at least 80 per cent will
be cast against Judge Taft should he
be the presidential nominee. In this
group there are about 1900 avowed
Socialists.
For 10 years the Republicans, in
the press and on the stump, have edu-
Gated the people, especially the wage
Garner, that the party In power has
made prosperity, Consequently. how
can the party now escape responsibility
for the prevailing depression? There
were coo destitute and hungry men In
the line for public charity. In front of
the courthouse in Toledo. on Monday
last. II was the saddest human pic.
ture have seen for years.
NEGROES AGAINST TAFT.
"The colored voters OF Toledo num-
Der about $50, and from what was
told not over 100 will vote for Taft,
wfo, IL seems, will be nominated
The presidents back-down on the
Brownsville affair has not helped mat
ters. while Secretary Taft, In a.
speech not yet 10 days old, justified
hs order OF dismissal OF the colored
troops without honor on the ground
that the innocent must suffer for the
good OF the service This is q new
doctrine In both ethics and jurispru-
dence.
81 heard reports by responsible rep
resentatives from some 20 counties in
Ohio. while in Columbus, and the
opinion was general that the disaffec-
tion of organized labor over the recent
decisions of the supreme court, the
opposition to both the president and
his war secretary by the colored vot-
ers, the serious business depression
on account of the panic. the war OF
the Republican factions-Taft and
anti'Taft. Foraker and antl-Foraker-
In every county. and the growth OF
the spirit OF independence among vot-
crs OF the higher intelligence. make
Democratic success In Ohio not only
probable, but reasonably certain, es.
pecially II Secretary Taft should be
the presidential nominee. The oppo-
sition to Taft among the organized
wage workers is not because he 1,
President Roosevelt's candidate, but
because of his early decisions when
United States circuit Judge. In the
Ann Arbor and Cincinnati briclIlay-
ers' injunction suits.
II heard many prominent Republi.
cans Of Toledo say they hoped Democ-
racy would nominate clean and ca.
pable state ticket, and II they did the
whole Republican state ticket would
go down, Some thought Governor Har.
ris would run ahead of most OF the
state ticket, but others said the gov.
ernor would lose more In the cities |
than he would gain In the country. I |
think from what could learn that the
leading Republicans of independent
rroclivities regard Ohio as doubtful |
this year. Several Republicans OF
statewide reputation advised me to
be candidate for governor, with the
added remark that this was going to
be good year for Democrats.
II think the presidents last mes
sage has weakened him In the estima.
tion of his most ardent devotees. II
Is so materially and radically differ
ent from his January message that II
Is hard to believe II was the ooncoc-
tion OF the same brain His message
70 the senate making practically a
square backdown on the dismissai OF
he colored troops and his appeal for
authority to reinstate them, his
change of attitude on the tariff, as
proclaimed IN his regular message
,n December last. his change OF at
itude and practical truce with the
'allroad magnates and his recent ef
orts to conciliate Wall street In the
interest OF Secretary Taft. through
Senator Aldrioh. OF Rhode Island. and
Herrick, of Ohio. have
created the impression, at least In
offioial circles. that the
PRESIDENT Is playing high politics.
'ather than continuing the role OF
layer OF bad trusts and thS annihila.
or Of the predatory rich. This Is GER
ainly a growing conviction among
/ goodly number OF close students and
admirers of the so-called Roosevelt
policies. As remarked only yesterday
~ a leading Republican up In the
house, there Is no big stick In the
Presidents last message. He has
Illuminated all tall about oannaio,, |