The Washington herald., 1908-01-11
HARMON Is PLEASED
Would Not Refuse if Ohio
Democrats Support Him.
At THE WILLARD
Thinks FOFaker-Taft Fight Will
Help His Party-Says End Among
Republicans Is Not in sight-Want
Tariff Revision as the Most Ina
pOrtant Plank in Platform.

Judson harmon, Of Ohio. former judge
in Cincinnati and Attorney General of the
United States under Grover Cleveland
was at the New Willard yesterday Judge
Harmon has recently been mentioned
prominently by Democrats of his own
States as a suitable candidate for the
Presidency.
Il was very much pleased" said the
judge. ito hear that the boys had remem-
beTed me OF course, nobody ever re-
fuses such a nomination, and certainly If
the Democrats of my State choose to sup
port me. 1 should not refuse"
Judge Harmon was on the bench IN Gin
cinnati at the same time with Secretary
Taft Senator Joseph Benson Foraker,
who was then Ohtos governor. was the
man who appointed the Secretary Of War
TO the bench
Speaking of this, Judge Harmon said
that the present fight between Taft and
the Foraker-Dick forces in his State will
no doubt help the Democratic party. He
said that already the fight between the
factions in the Republican party in Oato
has heartened the Democrats, ana as the
end Of that fight is apparently not yet in
sight that "A much more noticeable
Weakening OF the Democrats there may
be expected.
His Views on Platform.
On the question Of platform for the
Democratic party. Judge Harmon enter
tains decided views that the tariff re-
4
plank in the platform. He said that for
ten years the present tariff. practically
unchanged, has been IN operation He
said that already many Republicans in
widely separated parts Of the country
men who have been aided by this very
tariff-have now come 10 see that it's in
fiuence is not for the best
Secretary Taft, ! believe" said Judge
Harmon, is in favor Of tariff revision.
but he wants a limited revision. other
Republicans are in favor Of limited re-
vision and one Republican has. I under
stand. advocated the creation Of a COM
mission to effect that end. The latter
scheme would I think, mean really a
postponement of such revision for many
years. and the relief is needed now.
Il believe that there is some need Of
a change in our currency laws. but !
am certainly not qualified 10 speak upon
such a technical subject without {. closer
study. / believe in leaving such reforms
to those who are better able TO discuss
them intelligently,"
japanese Exclusion Question.
Regarding japanese exclusion. or the
restriction Of japanese immigration 70
this country. Judge Harmon had but lit
tie TO say. He said that he esteems II a
correct principle for action. sin such mat
tiers. that a class of immigrants which
desires only to come to the United States
make a little money and then return 10
their home land, be shut out. He said
that the japanese and Chinese do not
come to the United States with the inten-
ton of becoming citizens, as do most
other immigrants. but come here only for
a short stay and then leave.
When asked about the matter OF prohi-
bitiOn In the District Of Columbia. Judge
Harmon said that he believes that local
option, such as is practiced IN Ohio is
the most desirable method Of dealing
with this question
The chances for the Democratic party
winning the Presidential contest this
time, he said. 'are very good. l think,
and are constantly growing better. You
know that in a country governed by
parties such as ours there is necessarily
a change Of power every few years. If
this were not true, the government would
become something else than govern
ment by parties. It has been several
years since the Democratic party has
elected its candidate, and II is about
time that il was successful"