Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-25
BIG FIGHT IN OHIO
IS VITAL TO TAFT
Presidential Politics Involved
in Contest for Gubernat0-
rial Nomination.
SUPPORT FOR GARFIELD
SUPPORT FOR GARFIELD
IF PLATFORM Is RIGHT
Administration Thinks Roosevelt's s
Friend Strong Man.
LOOKS GOOD TO DEMOCRATS
With a United Party Back Of Har-
mon, They Extract Hope From
Republican Plight.
Special From Staff Correspondent.

Special From Stah Correspondent.
COLUMBUS, Ohio. July 25.-In the
selection of a candidate for governor and
the framing of platform for the cam
paign in Ohio. to be accomplished Tues
day and Wednesday of this week. there
are the makings of as vicious a fight in
the republican party as is possible in any
state of the Union. The outcome will be
of more than state interest; indeed. it
will be of national Importance in a high
degree. ...
Presidential politics. looking to 1912. is
being played in Ohio this summer and
fall by both parties. Ringing upon the
result of the gubernatorial election, let's
take brief survey of the national field
before entering upon the state situation.
Harmony Back Of Harmon.
You know that Gov. Harmon has
been renominated by the democrats. with
the best of harmonious feeling, and the
strong conviction on their part that he
again can carry this state. 1t is certain
as the sun rises that if he does he will
be the choice of conservative democrats
for the Presidency and likely to be nomi-
mated unless the Bryan wing should abso-
lutely repudiate him.
Aside from the natural desire to re-
deem Ohio. the republicans want to di-
minish Harmon's chances for the presi-
dential nomination.
y>nf RI
TO select the best man to try to defeat
Harmon for the governorship, and in so
casting about find themselves confronting
the possibility Of very ugly factional
fight between the insurgents and the ad-
ninistration. A nominee who Is too rad
teal an insurgent or too Objectionable an
administration man may suffer knitting
at the polls by the opposite faction. You
must bear In mind that Harmon is man
who could be very easily supported by in
dependent voters in either wing of the
republican party if necessary to strike a
blow OF factional revenge.
The supporters of the national ad-
ministration assert it unthinkable that an
avowed insurgent, openly critical Of and
hostile to the President and the adminis-
tration policies, should be nominated for
They declare 1t would disorganize the re-
publican party in every congressional
district and incite disorganization in the
iarty at large.
Garfield as a Possibility.
They insist it must be prevented. where
upon the insurgents threaten that it may
be prevented at the cost of losing the
oh ola hat l.
date, James r. Garfield, is the man who
can command the most votes from the
independent element. and if supported by
the old guard can win.
During the day Garfield will be offered
the support of the administration forces
for the gubernatorial nomination if he
Will agree 10 genuine Endorsement of
President Taft and the attitude of the
national administration. Mr. Garfield s
friends say he will not consent to un-
qualified Endorsement which would stulti-
fy his position on national affairs.
The so-called insurgent and regular
forces are not far apart, save In the one
respect of approval OF the President The
administration men have a platform.
They declaim loudly In favor of the
Roosevelt policies and say they are
genuine progressives at heart
The administration men believe that
Garfield would be strong man in the
campaign and are willing TO risk their
party's fortunes with him if he will make
possible for them TO accept him by in
dorsng the President
The vital question az this hour is, Can
the administration men frame a plank
adroitly enough TO save the administra-
tons face and allow Garfield to accept
II. and will Mr.. Garfield care enough
about the governorship and the party s
success to compromise?