The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-23
Harmon or wilson's:

10 the Editor OF The Times D;sp,,c,,
oir'-in your editorial OF Wcdncsday
t"s, you enumerate the important acts
SurFied through the Ohio Leeigiatur,
I ~ Governor Harmon and MONT M,
that there Is little difference between
Tue prosressiveness OF Harmon and N,
prGs TessiVeness of Wilson. Harmon
ana ilson. YOU show, have both com
peHed the public service corporation;
or their respective States to rsnSey
greater service to the public than they
hud eeen previously rendering. More
oyer, II Wilson approves of the initio .
tive' referendum and recall (exccpt
Tor ludges) IN Oregon Though opDoa-
NE these policies in New Jersey and
nirginia' Tor eNamplel. Harmon. you
mention has endcarcd himself 10 ali
ohio progressives by advocating the
initiative and referendum for tho mn.
inequalities Of Ohio Harmon. in short
rs Is progressive enough to suit the
er. and. indeed. is Justly entitled 80
pc called progressive by everybodv
but the editor OF the Commoner."
am heartily glad that you have
ia'd these facts before the people or
the State. and done justice 70 the
merits OF the eminent Governor OF the
SSuSkeye state am glad OF It on
governor Harnon's account and | re-
joice st!ll more for Wilson'S sake FIR
assuming that, 80 FAR as .proErcssivn.
ness Cor 'radtcalisIn") Is concerned
harmon and Wilson are as much alike
as as pair of twins. I now appeal to
v vdrsimi mans Which OF the two would
.he Onioen or the V.rginian? shall
not discuss--,n this ictter-thc cues.
ion az TO which OF the two is really
oeat htteG for the presidency. but as
sul"'HS the exact equality OF the two
men IN "Prosrtssiveness" or .radI
cahsm" assuming even their cxuct
eqnailty In character and brains; re-
peat my Question: Which had Virgin
GDn Ia, -
Washington. q NrEin!an or an OhioanD
Can there be any answer 70 this pucs.
ton but one?
=, Taking II for granted tien. that
would prefer virginian as President
10 the native Of any other State
WISE 10 point out why II is necessary
mat Virsinians should speak out and
TO see Wilson nominated ana elected
Evidently the candidacy of Champ
clark. III spite of his good points, need
Iot be seriously considered. Oscar I'm
wen deserves-thc complimentary vote
Of the Alabama delegation in tho Ma
tional Democratic Convention But IL
IS prematnre 70 think OF actually elect
dent Of the United States
What, then, Is the situation? Clear
~, the Democratic nominee VIII be
either Harmon or Wilson or dark
morse. Hut does any one seriously
desire this third ALTERNATIVES? Can any
one. ,save those with axes to grind de-
sire, q I this great crisis OF our national
Ire, 10 See some unknown, colorless
aohcntity nominated for the presiden-
cy? What chance would there be of
such Il mans being elected. even il his
election were desired by the Demo-
cratic party?
Let US assume. then, that vir.inians
do not desire 20 sec either Harmon or
& dark horse nomina ted but that they
do want TO sec Wilson nominated End
elected. How. then, Is the nomination
OF either Harmon or d dark horse to
be prevcntcd7 The answer to this
question Is clear. as soon as we CON
slider two facts. Tho first Is that the
Democratic party Is accustomed--wisc-
iy or unwiSely--tO require a candidate,