The Washington herald., 1912-01-09
THE POLITICAL PROCESSION

a
Hugh Nichols, lieutenant governor OF
Ohio, Democrat. and manager OF Gov.
Harmon's Presidential campaign. began
business on arrival yesterday by announc-
Ing with some spirit:
"Hearken not unto those who say that
we have opened Harmon headquarters IN
New York. II Harmon headquarters are
opened in the East 1t will be right here
In Washington, the center OF all things
political and the right place for that sort
OF business. We have faith In the wis
dom OF Democratic House, and. besides,
Washington is ever a center Of political
activity"
Gov. Nichols was inclined to be face
tious over the promise Of astounding
revelations concerning Gov Harmon's
awful fall from grace following the Gree
ley campaign Of 1872. 1T seems that Gov.
Harmon, with other distinguished Ohio
men who went 10 Greeley, thought the
Democratic party was at the end Of its
string" remarked Gov. Nichols. He was
not alone, as Gov. Hoadly, James Z.
Campbell both elected Democratic gov
ernors later on, and George F. Pugh.
who had been United States Senator. had
the same opinion after the liberal Re
publican fiasco.
Harmon may have written a letter
favoring a new peoples party, but he
was twenty-six years old at the time
and bit eXuberant In politics. Even
so, he was elected Judge By the Demo-
Gratis three years later while Hoadly
and Campbell received high honors from
the regular Democratic party ten years
after they had shared with Harmon the
demand for q new organization. This put
ting out OF a letter Will do Harmon no
harm. and we might call the writing OF
1t the new crime OF 20. Like Hoadly and
Campbell, who were equally guilty Of
demanding a new Democratic organiZa-
tion. Harmon has been elected governor,
and It Is recalled that both Hoadly and
Campbell were once counted Presidential
possibilities. Campbell IVES In Congress
several terms, and was Gnice a candi-
date for governor. We are not worrying
about letters OF 70. and are proud Of
what Harmon has done in twice carry
ing President Taft's State and in making
Il possible to carry IL in a Presidential
year, whether he is the candidate or not"
VIII Elect by Primaries.
"ohIo elects delegates to both national
conventions by Urinary vote" continued
Manager Nichols. THE election occurs
the third Monday in May in each Con-
gressional district. How can there be any
danger Of eIecting delegates against Har-
mon? He has the State Democratic organI-
zation behind him. and the popular feel
ing Is for him more than for Taft, who
is now in the White House. For once,
the Ohio Democrats. IN urging a Presi-
Dental candidate, go directly 10 the peo-
pie. The six delegates-at-large will be
chosen by a State convention. It is gen.
orally conceded that Senator Atlee Pom
creme will head the delegation. Then
there is ? sentiment in favor Of electing
as delegates-at-large the three mayors
who carried Republican cities last No
vember-Karb in Columbus; Hunt. in
Cincinnati. and Baker, in Cleveland. They
are not only big Democrats. but they
won in cities hitherto considered Repub-
lican bulwarks. / am not nominating
them, mind you. but II looks like good
politics, and We can pick the other two
delegates-at-large from 100 or more big
capable Democrats OF the State, all loyal
to Harmon"
And you continue confident that Har-
mon will be the Democratic nominee?"
was asked Gov. Nichols, who calmly re-
piled. why not7 Gov. Harmon has kept
his head and mis- poise, no matter how
great the turmoil, and the clash be-
tween other candidates. He will continue
calm and have Ohio behind him, never
fear. HIS speech at the Lotos Club I'm
New York the other night, while absO- |
lutely free from political reference. was
really n great political speech in that II |
aroused admiration for the ability Of the |