Presidential Aspirants
June 15, 1895
Summary
Governor William McKinley is the most favored of the Republican candidates to become the next president of the United States, but must first get the support of Ohio.
Transcription
It is generally conceded that the next National Republican Convention will name the successor of President Cleveland. The Republicans have abundant material from which to select.
Gov. Wm. McKinley of Ohio, Speaker Thomas B. Reed of Main, Senator Wm. B Allison of Iowa, Gov. Levi P. Morton of New York, Hon. Robert T. Lincoln of Illinois, and last but by no means least ex-President Benjamin Harrison, are among the candidates mentioned for the position.
It is safe to say that judging by surface indications, Gov. McKinley will go into the fight as the strongest candidate for the nomination.
But the recent developments in Ohio indicate that there is trouble ahead for the gallant governor. Not that he will not have his state behind him at the next National Republican Convention when the first roll-call is made, but his efforts will be directed to keep it there.
Moreover the efforts of his friends to hold the delegation from the Buckeye state will have a tendency to keep them from canvassing other delegations in the proper way. It is fair to say that the Harrison following will stand by McKinley inasmuch as he stood by them when it appeared that he had an opportunity to stampede the nominating Convention at Chicago in his own favor.
The desire for an eastern man on the ticket – a New Yorker is still uppermost. The Empire State holds the key to the situation as usual.
Disguise the fact as we may, it is nevertheless true that Thomas B. Reed has a large and enthusiastic following and is unquestionably the most popular man in the party.
Can he secure the support of New York state? He already has many enthusiastic followers in the South. It may be said with certainty that Harrison can only be nominated in the event of a dead-lock with reference to the other candidates. Such a thing is improbable.
As it now stands we believe it will be either Reed or McKinley with a dark horse for second place.
Gov. Wm. McKinley of Ohio, Speaker Thomas B. Reed of Main, Senator Wm. B Allison of Iowa, Gov. Levi P. Morton of New York, Hon. Robert T. Lincoln of Illinois, and last but by no means least ex-President Benjamin Harrison, are among the candidates mentioned for the position.
It is safe to say that judging by surface indications, Gov. McKinley will go into the fight as the strongest candidate for the nomination.
But the recent developments in Ohio indicate that there is trouble ahead for the gallant governor. Not that he will not have his state behind him at the next National Republican Convention when the first roll-call is made, but his efforts will be directed to keep it there.
Moreover the efforts of his friends to hold the delegation from the Buckeye state will have a tendency to keep them from canvassing other delegations in the proper way. It is fair to say that the Harrison following will stand by McKinley inasmuch as he stood by them when it appeared that he had an opportunity to stampede the nominating Convention at Chicago in his own favor.
The desire for an eastern man on the ticket – a New Yorker is still uppermost. The Empire State holds the key to the situation as usual.
Disguise the fact as we may, it is nevertheless true that Thomas B. Reed has a large and enthusiastic following and is unquestionably the most popular man in the party.
Can he secure the support of New York state? He already has many enthusiastic followers in the South. It may be said with certainty that Harrison can only be nominated in the event of a dead-lock with reference to the other candidates. Such a thing is improbable.
As it now stands we believe it will be either Reed or McKinley with a dark horse for second place.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cord Fox
Citation
“Presidential Aspirants,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 24, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1417.