The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-17
Ohio and the Poor Man.


The Ohio governor talked about the
new constitution in Ohio and how the
poor man used to be denied justice and
how injured workmen were unable to
get compensation through the courts,
He told how Harding fought the adop-
tlon' or the new constitution and how
ne. Gov: Cox, won the fight in refer
endum by an overwhelming majority.
Then he discussed his own methods
Of dealing with industrial troubles and
declared proudly that he had not cast
a single soldier into labor controversy,
that the state militia had not fired
single shot nor pointed a single bay
onet to settle a strike.
And when the governor asked his
audience to inquire of any employer
in Ohio If property had been preserved
or of any employe if the state had done
supreme court IL the majesty of the
law had been upheld there were real
cheers.
For they have their fill of industrial
troubles in the West Virginia coal
fields. and even the Democratic COVER
nor of ths~state isn't any too popular
with labor.
Industrial Unrest.
The audience was far more interested
IN the governors discussion of indus
trial unrest than anything else and it
Is safe prediction that he will win
more votes in the big cities by talking
about that than the league of nations
with all its complexities.
The writer would not say that Gov.
Cox took his audience by storm and
Won a 100 per cent or even IS per cent
share of converts to his cause. But he
did introduce enough plausibility in his
argument and talked just enough about
things the average crowd understands
to send thousands home thinking more
pnnprntaly a Or
that is progress, at least, with an audi
ence that came with so many well-set
prejudices For the governor seems to
admit he is fighting uphill when he
tackles the notion that this is Re-
publican year"
He contends that while that view may
have prevailed some months ago, the
nomination at Chicago changed things
II was Interesting to listen to the
the crowd after the speech was ended.
1t ran something like this:
Good talker, anyway"
Yes, but he's a Democrat"
Smart mainland he will drive Hard
ing off the front porch, too.
Harding don't need to get off the
porch--everybody knows what he stands
for"
ut looks to me as if Jimmy Cox
would give us glass of beer if he is
elected"
81 never thought he had a chance
but he might have, at that-he's clear
talker."\
or course. it is too early TO analyze
effects. Gov. Cox sprinkled some in
teresting thoughts on political soil that
is none too fertile. This is a Republican
territory normally. Rumors of Cox's
prowess in Ohio have overlooked the
state boundary, and there was and is
a natural curiosity to see and hear the
man who has three times won the gov
ernorship of neighboring state. Also
have come rumors of Cox's friendliness
to the 'wets."
West Virginia Attitude.
But against all this must be set the
rather extensive criticism Of the Will
son administration which has been
deeply imbedded in West Virginia. The
people do not appear to be in a Judlclous
mood receptive to defenses, however
logical or justified. To some extent this
is the result of skillful Republican
propaganda. To some extent it is the
common sense observation of the peo--
pie, who do not have to be told that
the president held some members, OF
his cabinet in office too long and didn't
hold others long enough. And to some
extent it Is the natural Impotence for
a change. Thus far Gov. Cox has not
demonstrated that in electing him in
stead of Harding the American people
will get a decided change of admins
tration.
one suspects that, aside from the
league of nations, which is more Of
controlling issue in the West than the
East, the whole campaign will be de-
cided on whether James NJ. Cox is a
sufficient differentiation from Wilson In
the management of the business of the
government to warrant giving him
Charge chars e. Of the 10 executive departments.
otherwise, the Republican contention
that Harding will be surrounded by
group of cabinet geniuses is all that
NAV guide a resentful electorate.
1C,cnvright. 1920, by David Lawrenceo
Fortunes Ice Cream