POLITICS May 13, 1904

The Democratic political pot boiled over Thursday morning. This came about with the information that Judge Harmom, whose name, it is believed, will be presented to the national convention for the Presidency, has been visited within the past twenty-four hours. The caller was a prominent gentleman identified with the faction for which Rev. Herbert S. Bigelow, Daniel Kiefe, Wallace Burch, Judge Dempsey and others are working. The attention of Judge Harmon was called to the fact that the faction under which the Bernard forces the groups are using the name of Harmon as an issue in the Hamilton county flight. Judge Harmon was told that there is grave doubt of his ability to have Ohio at his back unless his name is caused to disappear from the local field until after the convention next Monday. So far as the personal choice of the caller was concerned—and he is a candidate for national delegate on the independent side—the judge was informed that he shall have the vote of this person, if chosen. The caller however, did not undertake to go beyond that, except to state that he is not in sympathy with either Hearst or Bryan. He left Judge Harmon to presume that the rest of the independent delegation would do, if successful. Judge Harmon was also informed that if at the convention Monday the conservative delegation is elected, by means which may cause inquiry or dissatisfaction with the radicals, last fall’s programme at the State convention will be repeated and the Hamilton county delegation will be thrown out as it was then. And farther, that the entire State organization which is represented by the independent Democratic organization in Hamilton county will not consider itself responsible if Ohio in that even should fail to declare itself for Judge Harmon.

Squire Gass, president of the Blaine club, will be sergeant-at-arms of the State Republican convention which will meet in Columbus Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The temporary organization will be: Gov. Herrick, chairman; John R. Malloy, secretary; W. F. Gass, sergeant-at-arms; Silas N. Field, assistant; Rev. S. S. Palmer, Presbyterian, and Rev. B. L. McElroy Methodist chaplains. The Hamilton county delegation will meet at the governor’s office. The convention will meet at 1 Tuesday afternoon.

The Independent Democratic organizers say they will have the support of six of the nine candidates for Executive Committee who are claimed by the regulars and that so far as promises are concerned, they will have the support of a majority of the convention delegates.

The independent Democratic organizers say they will hold no “rump” convention under any circumstances. “We will content ourselves with a protest to the State convention,” said one of them.

Edward Dempsey, Precinct C, of the Third ward, has resigned as primary delegate on the radical side and Joe Groto Precinct B of the Sixteenth resigned from the regular ticket.

Judge Dempsey will not be a candidate for the chairmanship of the county convention on the independent side. Frank German is being spoken of for that place.

The names of Ed J. Hutzler, ? A Goldsmith and k W. W. Ringo are posted in the Blaine club for membership.

Judge Dempsey Thursday formally announced his candidate as district delegate from the Second district.