Evening star., 1923-09-02
OHIO REPUBLICANS
LEFT IN QUANDARY
Death of President Harding,
States 1924 Choice, Dis
rupts Campaign Plans.
Special Dispatch TO The star.

Special DlSpatch 10 me StOT
COLUMBUS, Ohio. September l.
Ohio republicans still are resting in
a condition of uncertainty into which
they were thrown by the death OF
President srding. Probably In no
other state "ss the death of the
Preside Mt prov>d SO disturbing poiit-
ically. His nomination for second
term had been accepted as practical
ly certain and all the plans made for
1924 were centered in that conclusion.
All party matters relating to both
national and state politics were TO
be left to the wishes of the Presi-
dent. And the party leaders here
knew pretty well what those wishes
were.
Ohio holds no general elections
this year. only municipal officers
are to be chosen this fan. Practi-
cally all the considerable cities are
governed under special charters
whose provisions are intended TO
eliminate party politics in their
be very much restricted in the more
important municipal contests.
There has been no meeting of the
republican state central committee
since the death of President Hard
ing, and for the reasons above stated
none is likely to be called in the near
future.
With the exception of one mem
gressional district (Cincinnati)-
there has been no expression from
the state central committee per-
sonnet as to what position the state
should take as TO the selection of the
republican candidate for the presi-
dency next year. That member as
suming that President Coolidge
would be candidate, stated that
ohio ought to get in line behind him
at once. There was no reaction one
= way or another to this declaration.
Coolidge to Keep Hands OF.
Il President Coolidge intends to be
candidate he will. of course. not in
terfere in the Ohio primaries of next
year. Feeling that there is to be at
that time fair field and no favors
Tor the nomination for governor. re-
publican aspirantS for that honor
who have refrained from entering be-
lore now are making preparations
for contest. There are apparently
reliable indications that former Gov.
Harry l.. Davis of Cleveland. who de-
clined to be candidate to succeed
himself last year, intends to try for
the nomination next year
Representative Fitzgerald of Day
ton, Representative Gable of Lima.
and Representative Murphy of Steu-
benville, who, because of remarkable
runs made in the congressional cleo
tions last year, had been doomed as
candidates for nomination for gov
ernor, Were cautioned by President
Harding against withdrawing from
Congress for that purpose and giving
the democrats chances to capture
congressional seats.
Whether they will feel bound now TO
be governed by that advice or not is uu-
certain Former Representat tive Ros-
coe c. McCulloch of Canton also is
expected to become a candidate. and
the dry republicans would like to see
Representative John G.. Cooper OF
Youngstown in the race.
Pomerene Changes Residence.
Former Senator Atlee Pomerene
has moved his residence from Canton
to Cleveland, where he has made I'M
portant connections in the practice OF
law and seems to have withdrawn
from politics for the time. If he has
any intention of being a candidate
for the democratic nomination for the
presidency next year it is not being
made manifest.
Gov. A. V. Donahey. democrat, was
elected without the favor and sup
port of the organization element or
his party Practically all of that ele-
ment was against him in the primary
election and much of II still re-
fused to support him at the regular
election. Naturally as governor he
has snapped his fingers at the orga nj
zation, and yet. of course. he expects
to be q candidate next year for re-
election. His friends are wondering
whether he can repeat his successful
performance of last year in a presi-
Dental year and with the republicans
of this republican state lined up. as
fhey usually are in such an election,
pretty squarely along the party line.
Politicians Keeping Quiet.
Political quiet prevails in Ohio
pending the local municipal elections
The two principal parties face each
other with next years more i'm
portant political contests, in view
either brewing or fully developed.
with the probability that President
Coolidge will have the support OF the
state for the republican presidential
nomination, If he wants it, and Gov
lanes NJ. Cox for the democratic
presidential on-without con-
'es' !" ]. III. GALBRAITH.