 Republicans nominated Judge Edward C. O 'Rear to oppose McCreary . There were few differences between the two men 's stands on the issues . Both supported progressive reforms such as the direct election of senators , a non @-@ partisan judiciary , and the creation of a public utilities commission . McCreary also changed his stance on the liquor question , now agreeing with Beckham 's prohibitionist position ; this also matched the Republican position . O 'Rear claimed that Democrats should have already enacted the reforms their party platform advocated , but his only ready line of attack against McCreary himself was that he would be a pawn of Beckham and his allies . 
