The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-02-15
Gov. harmOn'S Speech

Gov. harmOn's Speech
I The claim of the Bryan wing of the
Democrat party that Gov. Harmon
was not in sympathy with Its ideas
and views has been proved. Gov.
Harmon has removed all doubt as to
where he stands by the speech he de-
, livered before the members Of the
! Constitutional Convention last week.
/ In clear and certain terms he states
his opposition to the initiative and
referendum and recall and his belief
in liquor license. While he touched
on other matters these we're the i'm
portant features OF his address. His
speech caused great excitement among
the politicians throughout the country
and was read with interest by every
one interested In who will be the next
candidate for president on the Demo
cratic ticket Gov. Harmon has al.
ways been accused OF being trim
mer" on all questions when public
sentiment was divided, but he was
clear and emphatic in his speech last
week.
The governors speech while we do
not agree with his position either on
the initiative, referendum and recall
or the license question, we consider
the most forceful and able argument
we have seen for the sides he took on
the questions.
The speech has caused a storm Of
psotest to arise from sthe churches,
the anti-saloon league and the pro-
gressives of the Democrat party.
What will be it's effect on his political
future? Did 1t injure his chances for
securing the Democrat nomination for
president?
To the last question we unhesita-
tingly answer mo" We believe that
his speech was the wisest move he
could possibly have made ltol advance
his candidacy. The Bryan, wing OF
the party was against him. Col.
Bryan had been opposing his nomina-
tion for months through the Com
moner." In the extreme west he, had
no chance to secure delegates who
favored his nomination Ii ,nomina-
ted he must secure the support OF the
eastern and southern states. His
support had to come from the large
business concerns, the moneyed class
and their influence. He had no chance
to secure any real support from the
followers Of Col. Bryan. His speech
will not lose him any supporters, be-
cause the people who take exception
to his views were already opposed to
him and it will undoubtedly.make en-
thusiastic supporters Of his candidacy
OF Wall street, the trusts, the big cor
porations, all the classes that are
known as reactlonlrles and Aconser-
vatives.
He is now out In the open the
avowed can iidite OF "big sbusiness."
"Big business loves Its own and will
make a supreme effort ato secure the
of Gov. Harmon. 1t
would much rather name both the
and Democratic nominees
than only TO name one and then have
to make the fight TO elect him.
We believe that Gov. Harmon care
fully considered these phases ofathe
before making his speech
and decided that he would throw his
fortunes with "big business" that
this was his only chance to secure the
and, that this was his
natural inclination and desire as his
business and professional life, his
for years would tend TO
make him think and believe as big
business thinks and believes, cause
him to have as 1t has, only conte mpt
for the people.
The governors speech clears the
and makes,the fight for the
Democrat nomination an open contest
between big business" and "the peo-
pie" for the control OF the Democratic
party. The convention in June will
show, who wins.