The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-01-18
POLITICAL POT
SOON TO SIMMER

[John T. Bourke, in Cleveland LEADER
Drys are polishing up the camel on the
wafer wagon and vets are repainting
peer cart in an effort to give it the ap-
pearance of a glded band chariot, but
leaders of the G. o. P. and Democratic
organizations are just beginning to awake
to the fact that the tome is close at hand
when preparations must be made for state.
co Igrecsional and county campa 'gns in
Ohoi.
Democratic leaders in Columbus and in
other parts of Ohio are just now beating
the woods for a state campaign manager
to succeed William l.. Finley. whose i'm
paired health, his friends say, will make
it advcable for him to accept reelection
as chairman of the state executive COM
mittte of his party.
Joseph c. Breitenstein, assistant United
States attorney in the Cleveland district,
looms up a sthe popular choice of tAe
rank and file of the Democracy as well as
the favorite among the party-leaders in
all sections of the state for the organiza-
ton leadership Breitenstein was the
tet in the campaign of 1916 and managed
the winning campaign for reelection that
year of United States Senator Pomerene.
Puts Pomerene over
His work in behalf of Pomertne at
tracted wide attention, owing to the fact
that when he took hold of it the odds
were heavily against the senator. Pom
erenes reelection was regarded as i'm
possible by the party bossts when Brett
enstein resigned his federal position to
tecome secretary of. the Democratic state
executive committee. 1t was he who for
mulated the campaign plans under which
Pomerene won. He Travelled over the
state addressing county committees, In
stilling them with optimism.
He not only boosted Pomerene, but he
worked for President Wilson and the en-
tire Democratic state ticket. While his
loyalty to Governor Cox was never ques-
toned by those who knew him. his frank
that the whole ticket or
none if it be supported dispeIed suspicion |
that there was ont entire harmony in the |
of the Democratic campaign |
He was Chairman Finley's loyal and un- |
firing aid. Not content with his efforts |
as an organizer and campaign director. |
he spent weeks on the stump, touring |
Ohio with Pomerene and speaking to the |
same audiences.
Though because OF his close connections |
with Pomerene, he is generally looked |
upon as the political leader for the sem
ator. he Is friend of Governor Cox and |
every leading Democrat of the state.
Chairman Finley has directed every
Democratic state campaign since 1905
with the exception of that in 1910, which
was managed by Hugh l.. Nichols, present
chief justice of Ohio. Breitenstein's
bosters say he demonstrated his ability
rs an organizer and executive in 1916;
that he plays no favorites, and in addi-
ton has tact and judgment and a know
edge of men an political conditions. He
IS thirty three years old. college bred, a
'ormer newspaper reporter and with four
Years. experience at Washington as Pom
erene's secretary. He has refused both
FEDERAL and state appointments that he
night remain in the legal department of
he government during the war. 1t was
le and District Attorney Wertz who pro-
,scuted and convicted prominent Social
SITS for inducing men Of draft age to re-
use to register.
Governors illness Delays Plane
With Governor Cox Ill at his home in
Dayton the plans of Democratic state
eaders for getting their scheme for or
sanization drafted and inauguarating a
'ress bureau at Columbus went awry last
week. A secret meeting Of subcommit-
zee of the state central committee was
leld in the Office of James Ross at Col
lmbus but nothing was accomplished.
"WlId Bill" to Run Again
An aftermath OF the secret conference, I
However. was the circulation in political