The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-17

the tisa ffection among the progressives
The municipal elections in the State
this fall represent an interesting va
riety of situations Tom L. Johnson.
Of Cleveland, Is making his fifth race
for mayor of that city on the Demo-
cratic ticket. There is much difference
OF opinion whether he can win again.
-Four times in succession he has won on
one phase or another of the traction
question. During his present term.
however, almost everything has gone
against him as TO fractions. and the
present issue narrOws d1Wn 10 some
the johnson platform, against six-for-a-
quarter as the Republican program. It
isn't a big enough issue. apparently, to
justify much enthusiasm. The old John
son project of municipal operation has
been rejected by the people, but John
son himself still has a powerful hold on
a great following. The fact that he has
lost his fortune within the last two
years has aroused a large sympathetic
support among persons who under other
conditions might be much more vigor-
Gus in opposition to him. The Repub-
ncan nominee against him Is Herman
Bsehr, several times city recorder.
Fight On In Columbus.
Columbus has a municipal fight in
which the issue is the measure OF
liberality that shall be displayed toward
the saloons and gambling In the
primaries Wells. the Republican liberal
candidate. lost to Marshall who stands
for the closed town idea Malcolm
Karschner, the Republican boss. had
espoused the Wells cause. and when
Wells lost Karschner figured that his
days OF pOsship were ended, and an
nOunced his retirement from politics.
There is suspicion that the karschner
following will retire" in gOOdly num-
bers on election day, that Vance, the
democratic candidate, may be elected
mayor, and that in the wreck of the
new forces karschner will come back
to power over cOntrite and humbled
Republican party. They DO require
are apt to get lost when they haven't
one.
Toledo is the big, prosperous city
which Tor many years past has persist
emily elected independent mayors; in
dependents of the socialist persuasion,
too. Golden Rule" Jones held the po-
Sition down for life, and when he died
and the spell was supposed to be broken,
Brand Whitlock, novelist and altruist,
stepped forward, proved himself a real
spellbinder. and beat both parties. He
has been elected three times. and this
year has both Democrats and Republi-
cans in the field against him. Whitlock,
like Jones before him. is a liberal on
the liquor question. he tells folks there
are a lot more important things 10 get
excited about. and there is general be
lief that he will win once more.
The Cox Republican machine con-
trolled. and nominated DR.. John Schwab
for mayor of Cincinnati; but the Lew
Bernard Democratic organization was
spanked by the party, and the primary
nominated John y. Peck, who will lose
handily 10 the Cox nominee, leaving
Cox handsomely IN control Cox, ac-
cording to all accounts, looms bigger
than ever as a state figure nowadays.
but Ohio Is so full OF auti-bOss senti-
ment and so torn up over the lquor
issue that nobody's head is safe. The
conditions generally are regarded as
highly satisfactory TO the Democrats
who want 20 re-elect Harmon next year
and have Ohio provide both Presidential
candidates IN 1912