Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1910 — THE OHIO SITUATION [ARTICLE]

THE OHIO SITUATION

Newspaper Canvas Develops as Enigma and Tariff as Cause of Much Unrest. Cincinnati, June 20.—A statewide political poll conducted by the Enquirer shows that the administration of Governor Harmon has met with approval throughout Ohio, while a similar question as to President Taft received an answering vote in the negative. The dissatisfaction with the Payne-Aldrich tariff law is fairly stupendous. Of the total number. over 75 per cent, emphatically denounce the law as a failure. - As for the high cost of living in response to the question as to whether the Republican administration should be held responsible, there is great division. A majority of those insist that the party in power is responsible, but a great many decline to assume a position on either side. It is clear, though, that a minority supports the theory that the administration is not blamable. The unrest of the people is clearly shown through the question regarding present political trend. In almost every instance qualifications are insisted upon. It is plain to be seen, though, that there is a strong spirit of insurgency in both parties, and frequent wishes are expressed that there may be an alignment of progressive Republicans and modern Democrats. It is no infrequent thing to find expressions favoring Harmon coupled with Roosevelt. As for ..the figures themselves, they indicate that between the two political parties in Ohio the trend is Democratic. Of the total it may be said that nearly IQ per cent, are in favor of a new alignment: , Considering the remarkably large vote cast for General Ciiaries Dick for United States senator, which was 68 per cent, of the total cast at the Republican state primary, it is rather mystifying to discover that 65 per cent, of those voicing their views declare in set terms that he is not the choice of their community. A great many more assert that there is grave doubt as to his being the official representative of the party. The questions which were asked directly of thousands of nonpartisan citizens were as follows: Is Governor Harmon’s administration a popular success? Is the Taft administration giving satisfaction?

Are the people satisfied with the Payne-Aldrich tariff law? Is the high cost of living blamed on the Republican administration? Which party does the political trend favor? Does your county favor Senator Dick’s re-election? Will his candidacy affect the Republican legislative nominees adversely? Governor Harmon received in approval 80 per cent, of the entire number of expressions received. While, of course, there were in this table a number of Democrats, yet. on the other 1 hand, hundreds of correspondents took occasion to announce that they were Republican ifF their affiliations. One of the surprising things was the ascer-, taining of the existence of a ! great many Republicans who believed that both Harmon and Taft were successful in their adr ministrations. 2; It is a remarkable coincidence that the proportion of votes against Taft ,is about the same as that showifc in the recent poll of Indiana. Curiously enough many of the expressions of approval and disapproval are almost identical. It is plain to be i seen that there is a great body of Republicans Who. while truthfully admitting that his administration is not popular, are inclined to be patient with him and“

to await developments. As in recent actions, the poll serves to indicate that Senator Dick is a great deal of a political puzzle. The showing made by these replies is almost as surprising as the strength displayed by Dick in the senatorial plebiscite. Some of the expressions go far to explain the present status of Dick’s case. The expression is frequently encountered that he was nominated by default. Attached to this are numerous declarations that the action of the primary is not considered binding. Some of the writers say that there is apathy in their ranks — meaning the Republicans—and this will naturally tend to increase the Democratic strength. Everywhere is found as a side issue that the liquor question is entering very largely into the intimate relations of the political parties. This is a matter, of course, that is known outside of such a poll, but th’e cards go a long way toward proving how deep seated this interest lies. Culling from the Democratic expressions it is found that there is a feeling against Bryan interfering in the Ohio affairs, and it is j freely stated that the trend toward Democracy will prove unavailing if he is permitted to dictate. . Running through the replies are'statements to the effect that

/ the dissatisfaction with the leaders of both the political parties may have a tendency to increase the strength of socialism, and some writers go so far as to declare themselves in favor of that party because it stands against organized wealth and predatory capital.