The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-07


R. Probasco, prominent attorney
and Republican, says OF the Ohio CAM
patgn:
The political prophet has shut his
shutters, closed his doors and retired
from business, because he has ascer-
tanned that nearly all Of the voters
of the land have by this time learned
that by. the instrumentality of the
Australian ballot they can vote Tor
whom they please without being criti-
cixed or punished by political bosses.
employers or others. This is one OF
the most hopeful signs of the times.
The independent voter has assumed
control at the polls. and woe betide
the party or boss who fails to reckon
his influence.
Nowhere liz this condition found
more perfectly developed than In
Ohio. The two parties have both
nominated splendid men. Warren G..
Harding, the Republican candidate.
and Judson Harmon. the Democratic,
are without biemish upon their pri-
yate or public lives, except, OF course,
small criticisms that are always ex-
aggerated by the opposition. which,
even If true. however. cut no figure"
when character is considered.
Fear Cox's influence.
handicaps. Harding Is handicapped
In variety of ways. He il charged
by many with having been nominated
by Cox, of Cincinnati. and of having
some years since. in public speech.
given inordinate praise to the char
aeter and capacity Of Cox There are
thousands of people In Ohio who look
upon Cox as a political ogre or YAM
pire. This large element, though they
be Republicans, will vote against
Harding, fearing that IL Harding
should be elected he viii be domi-
mated by Cox, and that cox's influ-
ence will become State ide, instead
OF as now, Hamilton county wide. The
opponents or Harding are OF course
quoting "A speech made by Taft when
Secretary of War at Akron. Ohio is
which he roundly denounced Cox and
the organization in Cincinnati
Probably n more serious handicap
saddied upon Harding is Dick, the
caucus nominee by a State primary.
for Jnfted States senator In this
primary there was but one candidate.
and thousands voted for Dick because
there WAS no other person To vote
for. But the fact rcmlns that Dick
played shrewd game, Is now the
caucus nominee OF the Republicans OF
publican IL viii fees Obliged by the
caucus decree to elect Dick or repu-
diate him. and become in the eye OF
the partisan. bulters, Almost every
where in Ohio Will he found voters
who are now carefully aseertaining
the choice for senator of Republican
candidate for the legislature. with the
svowed determination to vote against
them IL they are found IN be for Dick
Gsi1iled Roosevelt.
Lately most unfortunate incident
occurred Tn the campaign of the Re-
pufsiieans Senator Foraker In re.
cent characteristic speech. In no un-
certain terms grilled Mr.. Roosevelt
or rather hts palicies~-at which thous
ands of people in Ohio, mainly Re
puhliCans. who look upon Rnosev eli
AS their idol. took such umhrage as
that il now vii, he difficult to induce
them to vote the Republican ticket
Aside from the issue between Fora
ker and Roosevelt, as q political move
il WAS asinine fer the Republican
managers ta expect votes for Hard
Ing. BY inviting Foraker to iambas.
Roosevelt.
Foraker has now been pushed os
the stump. which cannot but work
apathy, II not enmity. among Fora
kers adherents and RooseveIt's enc
mics.
Democratic criticism based on the
tariff act IL OF comparatively minor
importance, because ii is felt that the
act Was passed. not as partisan
measure, but by the votes Of Repuh-
tican and Democratic members Of
congress alike. and blame. II any.
should attack to both. To counter
balance these weights under which
a., /. ,y,,r Ia, - Il
taxable friendly feeling prevailing
throughout the State for Taft and his
administration; bu, II is doubtful II
even this good influence will he suf'i-
cient to prevent the defeat OF Hard
Ing
No Criticism.
As. regards Harmon. his main handi-
cap is the prestige OF his parsy's nu-
n,eraus defeats at the polls in years
past. and the belief that IL would be
unHise TO elect him because Of the
probable effect i, would have in pro-
noting the election Of Democratic
president, No important criticism has
been made OF Harmon's administration
its long life in Ohio, is united and
seems to be pulling with all its might
for party success.
This, then. Ia conservative view
Of the real political condition in Ohio.
1t Is mere guess based upon care
full observation and the opinion of
men whose Judgment ia worth while.
that owing TO the dissensions among tn
Republicans for the reasons given. and
the Democratic party being united.
Governor Harmon viii probably be
elected by n large majority.
hut as / said in the beginning. the
n Il
In Ohio as elsewhere, for the people.
az against the psrtisans have come TO
their own and will never again as long
as independence Ia guaranteed to them
by q secret ballot be enslaved.