The Washington herald., 1914-04-04
Political Procession.
By r. b. @.

With the renewed rustic of things
political in Ohio and the Republicans
perking up since Gov. Cox has begun
to fear the Whitacre opposition. there is
increased stir among conservative Re-
publicans lest the wrong candidate may
win the nomination by simply going after
II hard.
This conservative sentiment. suddenly
aroused. has begun a looking over of
David Tod, a big business man OF dis
tinguished family. long eminent in the
great Industrial valley of the Mahoning.
There is general approval of Tod up to
date, chiefly because he has not been in
politics long enough to arouse antipa-
thies or attach himself to factional sec
tons Of the party. His grandfather was
the famous war governor Of Ohio in
the first half Of the civil war. and the
Tod family has long been eminent In
the business development OF the Mahon-
ing region. The David Tod Of today is
not making a campaign for governor on
the record Of his grandfather. proud as
he may be Of Il: but his supporters do
not overlook the record OF the ancestor
in proclaiming the general fitness OF the
descendant Tod himself has been mod
est thus far In responding to the sugges-
tions Of his home admirers. but the
activity OF Joseph @. Butler and other
big business men along the Mahoning-
men not actually in politics-has given
Tod quickening of spirit, and he may
come out formally with careful decIara-
tions that will command support from
the conservative element rather than
arouse the hurrah contingent in the
party which fOrgets that the day OF
dramatic scenes. speeches. and roll calls
in conventions is over II is put for
ward by Butler. the big business man
Of Youngstown most active for Tod.
that II is time for Ohio Republicans to
nominate a business man again. after
a long spell Of defeat with actual poll
ticians.
The record backs up the Butler conten-
ton, and will be used in boosting the
Tod ambition. once he actually gets into
the contest before the primaries. which
come along in August.
John Brough. a big governor. chosen
by a tremendous majority in 1853. was
in business and he was followed by a long
succession OF lawyers also two notable
Republican defeats up to 1879. when
Charles Foster. a merchant and banker.
was chosen for two terms. After Foster
came four nominations and two cleo
tions for Foraker. a lawyer. and then
came Mckinley. lawyer. and in every
way an actual politician OF high grade.
There was reversion to the business man
following Mckinley when Asa Bushnell.
manufacturer. was chosen in 1895 and
again in 1897. Gov. Herrick was the next
business man governor in 1903. but he
lost a second term. In over fifty years
the Republican business man in the gov
nv of ho haH hut far
ice, while the Democrats elected Bishop.
a grocer in 1871.
All other candidates in both parties
elected or defeated have been lawyers
Col. Butler. himself a hard headed busi-
ness man OF the magnate class. has taken
pains to impress upon Ohio Republicans
the wisdom also fairness of giving the
business element an occasional share OF
political honors and the Tod organiZa-
ton will keep the proposition we'll to
the front as the campaign proceeds.
Not only in Ohio but in West Virginia
the suggestion of a business man foI
governor. also political mana ger-as poll.
tics is a good deal of business in that
SIatc-has been given attention and ap-
provaI two years ahead. The governors
OF West Virginia for many years back
have been lawyers or not actually in
commercial pursuits. The present gov
ernor. Hatfield. is a physician. and no
recent executive has been an Out-and-
out business man of the banker or man.
ufacturer description. Hence the amiable
inclination 10 pick a banker next time
Ike Virgil Highland. a rising young Re.
publican. of Clarksburg who came tc
town from a village a few years back
to clerk in store. He was wise in at
tending the Methodist church and playing
the cornet in the choir on Sunday. moi
overlooking politics on week days. or the
safe investment of his savings where
promised greatest and quickest return.
consistent with clear conscience.
The result was Highlands rapid rise tc
the presidency of A big bank and get.
ting in touch with financial operations
throughout the State. He aided Others
to reach office but asked no honors for
himself. thus making himself notable. II
not conspicuous, in West Virginia af.
fairs. The quiet undercurrent of sugges.
tion favorable to Highland as a possible
candidate for governor has been care
fully kept from public vision or discus
sion, but il il promises well the word
will be passed and activity begun. The
geographical proposition will he giver
attention. as the present governor comes
from the remote southern range ot
counties and the northern section viii
lay claim to the honor in 1916.
The northern counties have had the
governorship rather often. but that viii
be overlooked once the Highland admirers
get busy Senator Con is also a resi-.
dent of Clarksburg. but his term runs &c
1919 and he will then be seventy-six years
old, hardly ambitious for another term
The rugged RepubliCaniSm Of Highland
in standing pat against any Progressive
diversion and desertiOns promises tC
help him much now that the Old-fash.
ioned Republicans of the State are ge;.
ting their grip on things tighter thar
ever while the great Methodist popula.
ton, unusually large in West Virginia
will not overlook his attendance at the
Delaware Methodist College or his faith.
full performance in the church choir