Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-19
TO DEFEAT WILSON
What Elkins and His Political
Friends Hope to Do.
REPUBLICAN, VIEWS OF TEE SITUATION
The Democratic Leaders Free
Trade Sentiments
NOT LIKELY TO HELP HIM

From StafY Correspondent of The Evening Star.
ELKINS. W. Va, October 17.-Ths is the
nerve center of the republican campaign
being conducted against Mr.. Wilson, and
from this point radiate those intangible
wires which the republicans are supposed to
be pulling to carry the district. Stephen B.
Elkins. ex-Secretary of War; Is the heart
and soul of the campaign, and some say the
pocketbeok, too. 1t is here that the throb-
bling of the republican heart Is strongest
and by it's pulsation sending life and stimu-
lation to the uttermost end Of the district.
Mr. Elkins has fitted up a portion of his
magnificent residence at this place as polit-
ical headquarters, where he is located, and
by means of his private car makes flying
trips to points where his personal presence
may be deemed necessary at times. Thomas
E. Davis, Chairman Hall and Secretary La
Toilette of the congressional committee are
his principal henchmen. 1t is understood
that Richard Kerns, national committee
man from Missouri, is lending his aid in an
advisory capacity, and is engaged in solicit
ing subscriptions from outside sources to
help along the work.
A Strong Republican Battery.
The republican combination, stated
above, is a strong one, and Chairman Nc
Graw, the democratic manager, acknowl-
edges that he has an able and vigorous OPP
ponent. The republicans say that their
main weakness in the district lies in the
lack of good campaign orators. Like many
districts further south this section ha that
class of bucolic population which is stronS-
ly moved and swayed by oratory of the
fiowery and impassioned style. There are
mutterings of complaint against the repub-
lican congressional committee at Washing
ton for neglecting the district in not fur
nishing speakers suitable for the audiences
which assemble.
Republicans Not Boosting.
Mr.. Elkins' lieutenants carefully refrain
from making boasts or venturing estimates
of the vote at this time. He himself is
dumb the proverbial oyster. 1t is not
intended to be conveyed by this statement
that their silence arises from a lack of
confidence to carry the district. On the
contrary they all insist that Candidate
Dayton will be elected, but they have adopt
ed L policy of conServa tiSm. This is in
marked contrast to the campaign of the
democrats, whose methods are noisy and
enthusiastic.
1t is said to be the policy of the republi-
cans to keep quiet and remain comparative
~ passive. while the enthusiasm of the
democrats, aroused by Mr.. Wilson's pres
ence, is at white heat. There is time enough,
they think, for the ebullition Of spirits to
subside before election, and as it cools off
the republicans will proceed to put in their
work i'll thorough and buSneSS-like way,
making a campaign upon individuals rather
than upon aSsemblageS. The business sense
of the people will be appealed to and an
effort made TO arouse them to realization
Of the bearing of the new tariff upon their
personal interests. The country to the
north of this town is largely agricultural,
and wool is n staple product. Times have
been hard with the farmers, and the prices
of farm products are ruinously low. The
effect of the democratic administration upon
this condition will be shown. In the coal
section and the lumber region, which the
writer will visit tomorrow, a similar cam
paign will be waged.
Issues of the Fight.
The battle is being fought by the republi-
cans solely upon the issue of the tariff and
the effect of democratic administration
upon the pres perity of the country. No at
tempt is made to detract from the popu-
larity of Mr.. Wilson, and 1t is admitted
that the district has a right to be proud
that its representative In Congress holds
such a high position in the national leSis-
lature, but the POINT is raised, can the peo-
pie afford the luxury of keeping a man
there whom the republicans claim advo-
Gates a doctrine adverse to the interests OF
the people?
Obstacles to BE Overcome.
The republicans confess that they have an
uphill fight in respect to overcoming the
Popular regard for Mr.. Wilson in behalf OF
a man comparatively unknown outside OF
his own county, but claim that there is a
concealed chord of dissatisfaction toward
Mr.. Wilson, which as yet has sounded in
but a minor key, but which can be thrum-
med into a louder note. Mr.. Wilson has
been SO busy as a statesman, legislating
for the democracy of the country, that he
has neglected to look after his own people
they say. In the long tariff struggle IN
Congress, when Mr.. Wilson was engaged
upon national problems, letters from his
constituents remained unanswered, small
requests ignored, and the many petty things
which go to make up the Congressma n S
day, small In themselves, but important to
the individual, have received slight atten-
is said to have resulted.
Democrats Too Enthusiastic
The republicans say they are not alarmed
by the apparently increasing enthusiasm
which Mr.. Wilson's tour is arousing. They
say it is easy in this country to raise a
cheer, for the people like to ''holler," and
| emotional enthusiasm is infectious, but tina
it needs sustaining, and the democrats are
not in a position to keep up steady putting
of the popular bellows. The population Is
educated and the great majority of the peo
pie are sober and OF a reflective turn OF
mind. After the crowds have cheered them
selves hoarse and stopped to catch breath
| the republicans will begin to plump in 9
few homely facts bearing upon their OWL
interests, which they can turn over in theil
minds as they chew their homemade twist
tobacco.
The republicans calculate upon a reac
| ton against Mr.. Wilson upon the score OF
his free trade record. 1t is claimed by then
| that this has never been district where
| free trade ideas could flourish, outside OF
| the few populists, owing to the diversified
| industries of the tier of counties lying along
the northern edge of the state. The elias.
! of population engaged in working and de
veloping these industries do not, as a rule
furnish favorable ground for the thriving Of
| free trade germs.
The Republican Strength.
Republicans cite the fact that in the cleo
| ton Of 1872. at the time of the great demo.
cratic landslide, when decentralization rar
rampant in every republican district in the
United States. this district rolled up 20, 75t
republican votes against 2l,SO7 democratic