Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1905 — POLITICAL COMMENT [ARTICLE]

POLITICAL COMMENT

Pattison’s Opening Onn. Pattison has spoken. The man who heads the Democratic ticket has thrdwn off the' mask of reserve and stands out before the people hr the attitude of a petitioner, asking for votes. The sphinx has opened his mouth. Candidate Pattison’s speech at Newark is described as the opening gun of the campaign, and it should therefore show the line of talk that the Democratic orators will use to convince the electorate of Ohio that there should be a change of administration. And yet, atrip Pattison’s speech of its one feature and it might as well have been left unspoken. The feature was his discussion of bosses and corruption. “Turn the rascals out!’’ That was Mr. Pattison's argument. Is it not familiar to you? Have we not heard that same old cry from time immemorial? Whenever the Democracy cannot find a war issue or a money issue or a tariff issue that it dares tackle, it goes out before the people and claims the medal for honesty. It puts on the sheep’s clothing and points to the other fellow as the wolf. The ruse is not altogether senseless. It succeeded for Hoadley and again for Campbell, but after these men had been in power for a brief period the people were glad enough to turn them out. The history of Ohio is proof of the danger arising from Democratic

of Tammany, a purely spoils organization, and there is Dunne, of Chicago, who hopes to become the boss of the Windy City through his advocacy of immediate muncipal ownership. So it is to be a specious campaign on the part of Patti Son and his cohorts. There is to be no joining of issues on questions that are vital to the taxpayers of Ohio, but an attempt to stampede them by false cries of “wolf,” “wolf.”—Toledo Blade. Not an “Off Year.’’ In the vernacular of the professional politician this is an “off year” because it is not a Presidential year. In truth, however, it is by no means an “off year.” In ten States campaigns of more or less national interest have already opened or will shortly begin. The results will be of great significance, even though they may have no direct bearing upon Federal politics. Massachusetts elects a governor and it will be interesting to see whether the Democratic victory of last year will be repeated. Governor Douglas thus far refuses a nomination, but there is a suspicion that his refusal is not final. If it should be so then the probability of General Miles’ nomination adds interest to the outlook. Rhode Island always elects a governor and it will probably be news to