Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-20
Senators Bury Differences and Work
for National Ticket.
TOM JOHNSON GOES ON A STRIKE
Cleveland's Mayor Refuses to Stand
for Judson Harmon.
DEMOCRATS ARE WITHOUT HEART
Making ListIess Campaign for Bryan,
with No Hope of Carrying Him
Even within HailinE Dis
tance of Victory.

COLUMBUS. o.. Aug. 19-(speeial Tele-
gram. THAT Ohio will stand by its fsvorte
son in the presidential contest Is not ques-
toned by any unbiased observer of condi-
tions in this state. Since the nomination
of Mr.. Taft at Chicago. the republicans, as
they always have done in the past, have
been quietly adjusting their differences,
| and when the campaign really begins 1t will
| be found that Foraker and Dick and their
| supporters are algning themselves with
| original Taft men to bring about the
| election OF the former secretary of war.
! Indeed. so far the democratic leaders
| are concerned. they are devoting them
! selves more to securing support, for the
| state ticket than they are for Bryan and
| eKrn. They have to bear with the dis
gruntled Tom" Johnson Of Cleveland, who
was rolled over at Denver, and who says
| he will have nothing 10 do either with
Bryan or with Judson Harmon, who is the
! democratic candidate for governor. Cleve-
land has been a democratic stronghold
since oJhnson's entry into politics and
has been the chief reliance Of the party
| in all elections The mayor of the city is
| a most effective campaigner, and in the
| past has done yoeman service for the
| party: but this year he has served notice
that he will devote all his energy and that
| Of his powerful machine to effecting the
! election of the legislative and county
! tickets. The republicans propose to use
! Johnsons opinion of Harmon wherever it
| will do good. and the Cleveland man
has denounced Harmon a corporauonist,
| as opposed TO taxation reform, and as one
entangled inextricably with the brewing in
| terests, some effect may be produced in the
| northern section of the state.
| Hitchcock in Control.
The actual control OF the national cam
paign in the state has been turned over
| to Frank Hitchcock by Arthur l. Vorys.
| The latter hereafter will act in an advisory
capacity to Mr.. Taft upon all questions
connected with the campaign. not only In
Ohio, but in all sections of the country.
| The withdrawal OF Mr.. Varys from active
direction of affairs here cannot be in
furious TO Mr.. Taft. for the simple reason
| that the machinery he perfected has been
| taken over by the national COMMITTEES, and
he stands ready TO give force to anything
it may care to do. Then too. Mr.. Varys
will be in Cincinnati with Mr.. Taft
throughout the campaign, and he will be
able to do any missionary work that may
| be required As a matter of fact republi-
| cans generally are satisfied with the sit
/ uation, and this satisfaction Is not merely
expressed for publication, but 1t really
felt.
Senator Foraker has stated he will sup
port the ticket and while some ~ his
friends still feel disgrunted they unques-
| tionaby will swing into line Senator
Dick is not permitting his exclusion from
the state committee to interfere with his
duty as a republican, but is preparing to
support earnestly the Taft ticket Thus
there is greater harmony in republican
ranks than reasonable could he expected
inview Of the bitterness which existed
prior to the Chicago convention.
situation as 20 state Politics.
The state situation from a republican
point Of view is even better. Governor
Andrew L. Harris is the republican can
didate for reelection and he promises to
make a strong race. He is being aided
by the development OF the liquor question
as the burning issue of the campaign. The
legislature passed a bill last winter pro-
vidng for county option, which the gov
ernor approved. The brewery interests i'm
mediately declared war on the governor
and the legislators who had voted for the
measure. Preparations were made to de-
feat in the nominating conventions the men
who were even suspected Of being frie ndly
to the prohibition movement. On the other
hand, Mr.. Harmon has been placed in a
position of strategic disadvantage. II Is
charged Ly republicans that the brewery
interests played a large part in his nom
nation. 1t is certain that since he was
named the Personal Liberty league. the
German alliance, the united German So
cieties and other similar organizations have
/ endorsed him. They are demanding the
repeal OF the county option Law, or. II
that be impossible. the prevention OF any
legislation that may extend the provisions
Of this statute Harris has been endorsed
by the Anti-saloon league and kindred Or
ganizations.
Every effort is being made by the demo
Gratis to prevent the liquor question from
figuring largely in the campaign, for they
realize that IL is likely to tell heavily
against them, especially In the larger cities.
But deep interest Is being manifested in
this issue, and 1t is difficult TO see how
it can be eradicated. The fact that Mr..
Taft as secretary of war advocated the sale
Of beer and light wines In army canteens
would appear TO be a weapon which the
{ democrats could use; but they are too
seriously embarrassed by brewery support
to preclpitate any discussion along this
, line. So the temperance people OF Ohio
feel that IL is the republican candidates
, whom they must support II the advantage
, 50 far gained in the fight against liquor
is 10 be maintained.
The democratic ticket in the state also
I presents the anomaly o fhaving no tail
Judge David l.. Rockwell was named by
, the democratic convention last May 10
run with Harmon, but he withdrew sew
eral weeks ago, giving as his reason hi
desire 10 run for reelection 10 the office
OF probate Judge. Politicians have in
ferred from this action that Rockwell
, was unwilling TO have his name on a
ticket which was certain to be beaten.
But whether this be true or not, there
is no question that the effect OF his
withdrawal has been discouragins u
democrats and has heartened the rCpub-
u { iiCans.
Senatorial Contest Involved.
Neither party mas lost sight OF the
i. fact that the November election Wnl not
only decide the presidency aud the con-
| If the aueaEiuu 4