The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-02-01
BY United Dress Wire.

NoIuinDuS, W., req. l.-ContrOl or
Ohio-and control of Ohio Is the
biggest thing in American politics to-
day--is the prize in the fight between
President Taft and Governor Harmon.
which began in the open today.
The Ohio legislature has really got
down to business and the pet reform
measures of both men have been re-
ferred to their committees. One angle
OF the game may result in some for
mer Ohio Republican officials going
to the penitentiary. Both parties are
championing radical reform measures
as road to popular favor, but Har-
mon saw 1t first.
If Harmon can win his reforms. Il
Is conceded his campaign for re-elec-
ton may be easy. That would make
him the logical candidate of his party
for president Harmon carried Ohio
though Taft won the state by about
10000. Harmon learned the game of
big politics as attorney general I'm
Grover Cleveland's cabinet.
His chief strength in his firts cam
paign for governor was the way he
courted the farmer at the county
fairs. He told of the things he thought
were wrong in the business manage
ment of the state. told how the treas
ury had been pluudered by Republican
officials, and promised that he would
let the people of the state know the
truth.
His defeat of Farmer Andy Har-
ris surprised the Republicans and
made him a presidential possibility
in his first message to the legislature
he advocated radical reforms. From
that time, the Republican leaders
have been constantly on the defensive.
They adopted the old policy of OBJ
struction and on the plea that the
session was a special one, blocked
all the governors schemes. Harmon
placidly assured them that the way
having been pointed out the RESPONSE
bility of inaction rested with them.
Public sentiment has made itself
felt during the intervening year. The
Republican leaders decided that in
stead of blocking Harmon, they would
outbid him. Taft himself supplied
Speaker Mooney with the public util-
tiles bill, one reform feature Harmon
omitted. That omission will be Re-
publican campaign later on. 1t will
be coupled with j p. Morgan's open
partiality to Harmon as railroad
administrator. After the governor
had been receiver of the C. II. & ID. |
for time, Morgan was almost as
strong for him as he was for the
young Mr.. Perkins.
SO far, the Republican measures
that followed the same paths as those |
advocated by Harmon have the right |
of way, but the governor had the first
word with his message to this legis- |
lature, and that puts them in the light |
of trailers. Also Harmon did not
forget his promise to the farmer. His
Investigators have been steadily at
work in the state records. AS q re-
suit, Denman, the Republican attor-
ney general, has sued the estate of eX-
Treasurer McKinnon for $4,000 |
and ex-Treasurer Cameron for $211,-
900 interest on sttae funds the gov-
ernor charges they deposited with fa-
vorite banks for their own profit.
Denman did not delay in taking up
the cause against his fellow Repub-
lcans, but still it placed his party in
the light of trailing.
And Harmon says there is still more
many political ecampments for he in
sists that 1t Is not only possible but
highly probable that there will be
criminal as well as civil proceedings
against eX-ofiicials.
With a majority in both houses and
control of all the state Offices except
in gthe governors and tr9asurer's
the Republicans have all the advant-
age of position were 1t not for the
governors long lead. They have the
votes to sidetrack Harmon measures
and substitute their own duplicate. 4
1t remains to be seen whether Har-
mons political sagacity will enable
him to draw credit with the people,
even If his reforms are passed
by the Republicans.
Senator Dick has helped TO muss /
up things by his apparent determina-
ton either to force his own reelec- !
tion or disrupt the organization. Most
Republicans seem to think that IL his
demand for a primary should be ,
granted and he were to win out II
would assure Democratic legislature
Harmon has his troubles, too. He's ,
harrassed by the open enmity of W. ,
j. Finley and Harvey CARRIER, Demo-
cratic machine leaders, whom Har-
mon discredted They have influen-
tial friends, both in and out of the
legislature. His nope evidently lies
In an appeal tothe people and not in
an effort for unanimous support for
his party organization.
Meantime, the political brains of
Ohio are concentrated on the game as
II Is being played IN the legislative
halls and every move there, by both
sides, is measured not by its probable
value as legislation. but by its political
effect. Il
There's just one other phase--the
very evident feeling that, in the mind
OF Ohio, at least. Taft has not YET