The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-14
Governor Of Ohio Overcomes
the Tricks Of Enemies
ADVICE TO DEMOCRATS
ical Outlook and YsOints Out the
Weaknesses and Sins Com
mitted BY Republicans
BY JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES

BY JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES
Columbus, O., August 13.-As l sat in
the executive chamber of the capitol at
Columbus, a bugle sounded suddenly
sharp and clear on the portico.
Judson Harmon, rising to his feet. beck
oned me to the window.
A battalion of the Ohio state guard in
khaki. knapsacked and equipped for
travel, swung with a long. even stride
down the broad graveled walk and filed
out of the capitol grounds into the street.
There goes the last of them," said the
governor. And a smile of quiet satisfac
ton fitted for moment over the wise
genial face of the present transcendant
man in the politics of Ohio.
The republicans of the Buckeye state
had counted nightly OIL the Columbus
strike to stab the soaring prestige and
popularity of the democratic governor.
i For Harmon is the name to conjure
hope in democratic ranks and to send a
shiver along the spine of Buckeye repub-
iicans.
"Glamis he is and Cawdor and shall
be more hereafter"
The Columbus strike was the chance of
the year to trap him.
/ Labor was tremendously interested and
it's prejudices were keen. Mayor Marshall
was a republican candidate for reelection
and desperately cautious In action here
Sheriff Sartain was as "unsartain' as
ever a republican sheriff could be who
wanted the votes of labor to re-elect him.
And SO they both resolved after gen.
era1 council of the party to LAY down
on the democratic governor, who was also
a candidate for reelection, and a looming
figure for the presidency. And they did.
They halted and hesitated and dawled for
a few dangerous days and then called on
the governor to restore order
Harmon Holds His Peace
Harmon had held his peace and deferred
like the good democrat he IL to local
self-government'' for the establishment
of peace
Within an hour an order went out
Within a day the Eighth regiment and
the Twelfth were camped on the capitol
grounds.
Right under the governors eye the
troops rested on their arms. And they
did nothing else.
Not an overt act of intimidation or
force could be charged to the state troops
Their presence was the only offense and
they were demanded by republican Of
ficials and the demand was a confession
of incompetency to handle the situation
The governor summoned United States
Senator Dick republican leader to his
place at the head of the bridge.
Harmon had checkmated every strategic
move of his enemies to array the labor
element against the Harmon candidacy.
And as the yellow line of the last bat
talon faded out of the capitol gates there
faded also the best and keenest hope of
the Ohio republicans to trap and cripple
the man whom they most admire and of
whom they are most afraid.
In splendid health is Judson Harmon of
Ohio. His superb physique looms in
vigor. His eve is keen. his color ruddy
and his voice resonant with purpose
and confidence
Harmon Fit for a Fight
Whatever else is true, the democratic
man Of the hour is physically and men
tally fit for the fight OF hts life for HIM
self and for his party. He wears his
64 years like crown and a promise
Judson Harmon is marvelously blessed
with a fine and genuine serenity. He is
not an hungered for the presidency. I'm
less the outlook is rosy for success he
does, not care to be written among the
long list Of those who have led the DEM
ocratic party to defeat"
So says he. And he means 1t, too.
Therefore he will not fret or wear his
heart out with ambition.
But he will fight steady, discreet and
tireless to the end.
| l asked the governor Of Ohio IL he
thought the tariff would be the main issue
i of the presidential campaign.
Zone of the issues he answered
promptly and with significant emphasis,
considering that the Ohio republicans in
their compromise platform are pledged to
~ "a III
"The republican record is too rank with
Indifference and betrayal along these
lines to be condoned by a few professions
or platitudes.
Il have not formally begun my cam
paign as yet and do not care In ad-
vance Of 1t to map out the line Of discus
sion.
But privilege and Capitalization
the high cost of living. the increased pow
er of the electorate, the restraint of
bosses and trusts will share with the
tariff in the discussion Of the Ohio hust-
ings
1.-THE chances of success in Ohio appear
to me exceptionally bright.
"The party Is confident to degree. I
share this confidence In the highest degree
and the republican division already hope
less and growing wider confirms the ex
pectation of democratic success. l think
Ohio will lead the list of democratic
states"
Issues in Ohio
s., Your success In Ohio. governor, would
make certain your nomination as the
democratic candidate for the presidency?"
I'VE will cross that bridge when we
ccme to IT, was the reply Sufficient
unto the day is the responsibility and the
opportunity that 1t covers"
II do not care to discuss national poll
tics at this time" added the governor of
Ohio with that wise discretion which
makes half his fame and popularity.
But you will not mind giving an opin-
ion as to the outlook for national sue
cess for your party?'
mot at all. think the promise for
democratic President in 1912 is brighter
than It has been In a decade. Conditions
and experiences have vindicated the his
toric democratic policies and the demor-
alization and decay of theA republican
party has made a revival Of real democ-
racy Indispensable to good government
and the welfare of the people. The re-
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