The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-08-25
AND
A STAND PATTER
Leading Candidates for Delegate
TO Coming Constitutional
Convention.
From Staff Special TO the Toledo News.
Bee under Celina date Of Aug. TO-

From Stah Special 10 the Toledo News
Bee under Celina date Of Aug. 10.
Tho line between progressive and re.
dictionary thought is very clearly de,
fined by Ht least two of the four cBndi.
dates for constitutional delegate In
Mercer County.
p. T. Kenney, prominent Democrat
stands 10 the fore in the fight for q
progressive constitution. h. j.. Mat
tingly, leading Republican, can be
classed as conservative. OF the other
candidates, both Democrats, S. S.
Scranton, ex-probate judge, Is non
committal; E. II. Ford is a pronounced
"wet."
Keunoy says the initiative and ref
erondum are to be the salvation of the
people.
Mattingly says their adoption would
be step backward from representa-
two government.
Unless the liquor question becomes
the issue in the contest here, the fight
will be between Kenney and Mating
ly. There is grave danger that the
liquor question will be the dividing
line. II il is, Ford will have TO be
reckoned with.
Progressive citizens here are hoping
that Ford will be defeated. But here
is the danger: Mercer County is
strongly Democratic. Three Demo-
Gratis in the race will divide the party
vote. Mattingly is the only Republi-
can. He has the support of the Repub-
lican organization. But it is doubtful
If the organization can deliver the full
party strength TO him.
Kenney will be fought some by those
radical vets who have no respect for
tho liquor laws. Kenney has been
Mayor of Celina for two terms. He is
a big, brainy man, a student and a
thinker.
AS Mayor, Kenney cleaned up Cell
ma. He enforced the laws. Naturally,
the lawless don't warm up to. him. But
that doesn't mean all the saloon k eep-
ers in the county are against him. The
liquor mon who think the law should
be obeyed will probably be for Kenney.
Mattingly is a pronounced dry. He
was in the local option fight in this
county in 1905, when the vets won by
243 votes. Mattingiy will get the dry
Republicans. Kenney will also get a
large dry vote. The radical vets will
probably 90 to Ford.
Mattingly has large ability, is fear
less, and when he takes a stand on
question it is not easy to bulge him
He is caustic speaker and writer. He
has singed some of his own party lead
ers. Some of them are still sore.
The Democratic leaders are for Ken
ney and will do all in their power to
elect HIM KeunaV will he Oue of the
leaders of the constitutional conven-
tion if he is elected.
-'I am unalterably for the initiative
and referendum" he said. at mat
ters little what else is put in the con-
stitution if tho initiative and referen-
dunn are adopted. They would be the
of the people. ! favor the
recall in theory, but haven't given it
thought to undertake to say
how it would work in practice"
Mattingly says the initiative, refer
endum and recall are matters of deep
moment" The practical operation of
the initiative and referendum, he says, |
hasn't been of such definite success as
not to leave room for two opinions on |
the question.
Mattingly would likely favor a sep |
arate vote on the question Of prohibit |
ton. He has never missed an Oppor- |
tunity to vote for prohibition, and |
never will, he says.
The question of separate submission |
Of the liquor question, he says, ought |
not to be determined now by pledges, |
bst should be considered in the con-
vention.