The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-06
BATTLE IN THE WEST
Political Headquarters TO be Paced In
Western Cities


Washington, June 5.-There is a
strong probability that Chicago may be
the political headquarters in the nation
al campaign this year. Prominent men
in both parties are talking about iocat-
ing committee headquarters in the
western metropolis. and for the same
reason that they do not expect great
| help from New York.
Western Republicans four years ago
argued that Chicago was the political
| center, as ii is near the center of popu-
/ lation and of wealth and industry. They
| cOntended that Illinois was the great
\ battle ground, and urged that Chicago
| should be made the campaign head
quarters. But New York was the money
| center, and TO New York went both ma
| Tional committees.
Then it was urged that a western bu-
reau be located in Chicago to look after
the west. The Republicans did not heed
this demand, but the Democrats did,
and Ben Cable opened his western bu-
reau in Chicago. 1t did good work, and
! many western men of both parties look
ed upon that bureau as one of the i'm
portant factors in turning the tide and
giving the electoral vote of Indiana, Hi
nois, Wisconsin and part of Michigan
DcIlOCTdllc CaDGlQaIt.
This year the west viii control both
national conventions. Mckinley's
strength is in the west, and he has
enough delegates west of the Allegheny
mountains TO give him the nomination.
The Mckinley men in New York and
Pennsylvania have only embarrassed
Mckinley by precipitating fractional
quarrels, which the candidate viii have
to ignore and keep as far away from as
possible. In New York, Warner Miller.
John Z. Miiholiand, and Cornelius Bliss
are making war upon Mr.. Plat and his
friends 10 wrest from them the state
organization. Whether they succeed or
not IL promises 10 Involve the party in
New York in a fractional quarrel that
cannot be betJered by the presence Of
the national committee in New York
City.
Some Of McKinIey's friends have sug-
geSted that the campaign committee
have its headquarters in Cleveland. but
that would tend 70 make Il too much OF
an Ohio contest. and with Mckinley as
the candidate there certainly ought 20
be no question about the vote OF ONO.
But west OF Ohio Is 20 be the battle
ground. The Democrats are going 20
make their campaign FOR free silver, and
that fight must oe met in the west.
Western Republicans say that the head
quarters should be near the center o.
the contest. and that TO city IS more
central than Chicago.
This IS not 10 De a campaign o money.
and the managers 90 not expect 70 Sc
cure any such campaign funds as they
had in former years. Without a single
gold standard platform New York and
&aU England would NOT MT I'd Tnucl I
money for either party. and Il : n0w
practically conceded that neither con- |
vention viii declare for such sand |
ard. The Republican platform : *
pec;eG 10 b nearer like those OF Illinois |
and Indiana than those OF Massacn 1slts I
and New York. and there are many Re j
publicans who now believe that TIE I
Ohio platform may Dc the model
Mark Hanna il said 20 favor a Wes.-
ern city for national Republican head 1
quarters. n that Mckinley could keep 4
clear OF The f8ctionai grounds n NeW 4
York. and the national committee would /
noI b involved n those Qua-1els or 4
compelled 70 take sides with either P.atI 4
OF ALlhoiland- But the greatest rseso-l
urged Tor taking the headquarters ~esf
: that the committee may b. near re
center q the contest ard n closer cor
tact with TIE men Eflo are - Eio ne
battle. Caicaso Is not only ns&-=E 70 4
the west, but GiSo % the south EhSG
New York
The Democrats expect 70 make Thelr
"a ign foT free silver. ard they va
ize that 30 suca campaign thcy CA
expect GO hep from SeW YORK ard
New Eagsand- They expscs . make
their campaign largely in SSs Sss-