Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-17

II the fears and doubts Of the prominent
members Of each Of the old parties could BE- ac-
cepted as an indication of the political outlook
the public might bo warranted in coming to the
conclusion that the peoples party or the pro-
hibitionists would have to fill the office Of chief
magistrate or the office would not be filed at
all. The leaders Of those two parties are the
only ones who at present have that disposition
which begets hopefulness. A very considera-
BILE element in both the old parties find il i'm
possible to get up any feeling Of enthusiasm
and confidence, and the managers on both sides
are working with their own people to keep them
in line. The most discouraging talk for the
democrats comes in confidence from democrats.
The darkest doubts Of republican success are
thrown out on the quiet by republicans.
ALL SORTS OF REPORTS.
All sorts of reports are circulated of indiffer-
ence and bad temper on the part Of prominent
republicans, and it is said that the republican
national committee is having hard time to in
duce men who have heretofore been active to
take any part in the campaign. There are quite
number Of prominent republicans who speak
discouragingly of the party prospects and
sightingly Of the ticket. On both sides there
seem to be thousand and more disappoint-
ments and grievances to be placated, and both
interest in the work. The expectation is that
this will result in small vote, take the country
over, and that whether 1t is Cleveland or Harri-
son who ia elected the victory will be attributed
to the weakness Of his opponent rather than to
his own strength. The trouble appears to be
that the practical politicians do not see how
they are to make anything out Of the election
by either candidate.
DEMOCRATS GREATLY PERPLEXED.
"a fa <1x,v, vo1 1o1,A
the situation Of affairs in New York, and in
spite of all the talk Of loyalty to the party, de-
votion and the like, there is = feeling Of sus-
picion and unrest among the leaders who are
more directly on the inside Of the campaign.
They know that party devotion in the empire
state cannot have associated with 1t as a motive
any love Of Cleveland, and they are not con-
fident in the protestations Of loyalty. There is
no especial fear that the Tammany leaders or
any other leaders will be found wanting when
measured by their works, but there is a very
well developed doubt felt about there being the
proper obedience on the part of tho
rank and file Of the party workers
and voters Of the under grnde. As an
indication Of the way the wind is blowing
attention is called to the fact alleged that 400
democrats living in Mr. Hills county, who have
never voted any but the democratic ticket here
tofore, have signed q pledge that they will vote
for Harrison this fall. The republican national
COuHnlttt0 Clalm privately 10 nave PROOF OF
this. 1t Is thing entirely apart from and be-
yond the control of the ''ieaders" to 30 far
overcome the prejudices Of the rank and file Of
the hard-headed democrats as to make them
vote for Cleveland il they do not want to. One
danger recognized by the party managers is
that a great many democrats will not vote at
all. The greatest comfort they can get out Of
the situation is in bringing themselves to be-
heye that there will be as much indifference or
disaffection among the republican voters as
they find indications of among the democrats.;s
POSITION OF GoRAAN AND BRIcE.
There is another thing that very little has
been said about which is rather important to
the situation. 1t il that very large number Of
those prominent democrats who oppos, d the
nomination of Mr.. Cleveland believe that there
is danger that, his election would prove a
greater misfortune to the democratic party in
the long run than would his defeat. To put it
in plain terms they think he has the "big head"
and that he would not stop short Of q complete
revision of the democratic creed and would
turn things upside down generally should he
get into the White House under the peculiar
existing circumstances. There has by no means
been an establishment Of cordial relations be-
tween Senators German, Brice, Ransom and
others Of their school and Mr.. Cleveland. Had
1t not been for tho efforts of Mr.. Whitney Cor
man. Drice and Ransom would not have served
on any Of the committees and the campaign
might nave been run without their assistance.
Their first meeting with Mr.. Cleveland
in New York after the notification meeting
was far from cordial. 1t was, in fact unfriendly
and it was supposed after the interview that
neither Of the three Senators would have any
thing to do with the campaign. Cleveland was
riding very high horse. Afterward Whitney
succeeded in getting him down a little and the
three Senators we're implored to go on the COM
mittees and take prominent part in the man
agement Of the campaign. Even then they
would not give their assistance until Whitney
had agreed contrary to his wishes and expecta-
tions to go on the campaign committee himself
and shoulder the burden Of the work. Whitney
had planned not to go on the committee him
self, but he could not get German and Brice to
serve without him. As it is now both German
and Brice are on the defensive and feel that they
are wanted only for a convenience and will be
thrown overheard as soon as Mr.. Cleveland is
through with them.