Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1892-10-01
NEW YORK LETTER.
A FRANK REVIEW OF THE POIlT,-
CAL SITUATION.
Republicans in Line and Hard at Work,
Democrats Divided on the Issues-Can't
Agree as to the Tariff or Elections
Bill-Wildcat Banks Discussed,
Special Correspondence.1

Agree as to the Tariff or Elections
Bill-Wildcat Banks Discussed.
Especial Correspondence
NEW YORK, Sept. 12.-What are the
Democrats going to do? This is ques-
lion that everybody is asking here now
And it is one that nobody is able to an
swer satisfactorily.
With the wide division as to the issues
which shah be placed at the front in the
campaign, and the dissensions which
seem to be making themselves felt
throughout the ranks Of the party, no
body is able to determine what the De
mocracy will do. The leading Demo-
cratic paper here, The Sun, continues to
insist that the tariff is a dead issue, and
that the fight must be made on the cleo
tlons bill, while the other papers support
ing the Democratic party shout for the
low tariff doctrines Of the party, and
would ignore the elections bill, on the
ground that the people are willing to see
a law enacted which will enable every
man to cast his ballot and have it fairly
counted.
Democrats Sick of Free Trade.
These differences Of opinion between
the leading Democratic journals repre-
sent the wide difference Of views which
prevail among the rank and file of tie
Democracy. That u large section Of the
Democratic party is heartily sick of the
free trade IDEA is evident The wonder
full progress That has been made in the
general prosperity Of the country anC
the state ii the year past under the new
tariff has shaken their belief in the wis
dom Of Il change. There is no conceal
ing that fact. The report Of the Demo-
cratic commissioner Of labor, Mr. Peck,
has greatly strengthened this view and
seems likely to cost the Democratic
party thousands Of votes, Unless it takes
The Suns advice and switches off from
free trade to some other less dangerous
question.
State Banks Unpopular as an Issue.
And there seems to be difficulty IN
finding in the platform any other sub
ject on which to arouse the voters The
election bill Goes not seem to interest
them. They see in it only a demand for
as fair elections i'll the soUth as they al
ready have here, and they say frankly
there ought to be no objection to that
On the one other issue, that Of state
banks, the business men and the farm
ers are equally dissatisfied with th
attempt to make an issue. Indeed, the
large proportion Of the farmers and busi-
ness men seem utterly opposed to any
step looking to . return to this old sys-
tern, ;;nder which they had SO much DIFF
ticg:lty, and under which both, espe-
cially the farmer, suffered
East, West ant, South.
The Republicans continue to get en-
couraging reports from the west and
south, while the dismal failure of
hundred newspapers to raise Demo
cratic campaign fund to try to carry
group of western states shows that the
people do not believe it practicable
Aside from the subscriptions Of the
owners Of a few strong newspapers
which expected to profit by the adver-
tisenent they get for themselves, there
has been but about $4,000 raised, ard
this il absurCily small sums.
Republicans Hastiins Everywhere.
The Republicans are actively at work
everywhere. They are pushing their
speakers out into the close states ana
districts, urging their people every
where to make a fight for success. They
are confident Of carrying New England
and the New York Sun, Democratic |
says their chances Of carrying New Jer
sey are good. AS to the west they are
confident of success. Colonel Shell
who was here from Indiana recently, |
gave the committee assurance that In.
diana would give a larger Harrison
than it did four years ago.
Democrats Seem Dazed.
The prosperity Of manufacturers.
wolkingmen, farmers, railroads and |
business men generally; the correspond
ing depression in the manufactures Of
Europe; the transfer Of plush manufac-
tories, worsted mills and other factories
from England here, and the exhaustive
report Of Democratic Labor Commits
sioner Peck in favor of the present tariff
law-the Mckinley law-seem to have
aazed the Democratic leaders and
brought many Of them to a standstill.
Business Men Oppose a Change.
The disinclination of the business men
to see a change in men and methods at
the head of the government and its plan
OF operation, and especially the dissatis-
faction with the proposition to return to
the old state banking system, seem to
have marked effect. and to have Gre
ated a feeling against the support Of the
Democratic platform and leader which
is likely to have marked influence
upon the campaign not only here but
elsewhere.
Harrison's Letter of Acceptance.
The strong and patriotic letter Of Pres
dent HARRISON accepting the renonlina-
ton for the presidency. is everywhere
Not word is heard against
It, even from his political opponents.
The showing as to the wonderful growth
If manufactures and employment under
and Of foreign commerce I'M
Ter reciprocity, excite much comment
md is certain to have marked effect
Upon the voters here at least. His kindly
illusions to Mr.. Blaine are very gratify-
ng to the admirers Of that great states
nan. The suggestion in favor Of
non partisan commission to con-
;ider the evils Of election and apportion-
nent methods strikes a popular chord
md disarlns at one stroke those who
we're shouting ''force BILL One fea-
11re is especially impoTtant-in calling
public attention to the Democratic propo-
ition to return to the old system of
tate banks, a fact which seems to have
,een somewhat overlooked by the public.