The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-09
OPTIMISTIC BRYANITES.
TREY SEE GREAT CHdNGE IN 1HE
MIDDLE VEST WfIHOUr REASON.
The Confidence of the silvcrites Creates
Alarm among the Republicans.
The Centre OF Battle.

WASHINGTON. October ESPECIAL
Whether based upon reasonable and sub
stanslal grounds or merely upon the re-
ported enthusiasm which has greeted AR.
Bryan In the West. there can be no queS-
ton that the silver leaders regard the
prospect OF success as more encouraging
than IT has been since the campaign
opened. and their evident confidence has
had "a depressing eject upon me man
ayers or AIT Mckinley hight.
The favorable change ia the situation
as the BlS antics term 81, began Mi1h Si4.
IsTyan's return 10 tne " est. The Vast
crowos he mas addressed a. every stop
ping place ATOMS Lis route, ana the u"-
questionable slnccuty OF tao cheers tAa1
have greeted nun everywhere is iesIV"-
siDie for the scneraI revival OF spnts
among the men VINO are doing what iAcy
can 10 direct the campaign.
WISH FATHER TO THE THOUGHT.
But, there is nothing brighter In the
reasons given by tne leaders for theiI
suuuen assumption OF confidence. III is
tho result OF general disposition on iheH
rart to be cheerful, ana 20 look upon
the bright side OF a situation, which UP
10 the present time has been 0aik enough.
The Republicans VINO have perfected an
organization ia all the uouDtiu states
VI the Middle West 30 cOmlle as 10
give them "A clear insight into me pohu-
cal affairs and conditions OF every county.
are not aware OF any marked chahse oi
sentiment among the voters. and they
are puzzled 10y the evident Dehel Oh the
Democrats that they can carry tine states
in question. There is no doubt that the
Republicans are alarmed. aud that tncy
,egaId the issue OF Tie AEnt IN the MIL
ole West as more doubtful than IL APP
peared TO he a fow days ago. but thei
alarm. Ike the confidence oi the Demo
Gratis. seems 10 be OF an exaggerated ana
unreasonable character.
CHCAGOS BIG MAJORITY.
Secretary Mercer. OF the kepuDicah
Congressional Campaign Committee. salo
to-day that ne knew or no reason Io4
changing the opinion concerning the No'e
of Michigan. Indiana and Illinois, mat
ne has he'd since the opening oil lne
carnpaf-n. lie believes the city on en-
cago alone will give a majority OF l1VNV0
for SOUND money. so that ii Bryan MAKES
his expected gains in the rural sections,
anv majority he may receive there VIII
he overcome by the city vote. IL is au-
roiftea by the leaders Of both sizes
that the labor vote IN limos VIII '' "''
important factor IN determining the re-
suit OF the contest and hoth slues CAIN
the support of the wagc-carnerS.
LABORS PART
peporis from Chicago indicate that it
&c extremely difficult TO Judge the pres
emit attitude Of organized labor. The
working men are reticcnt. and DO mol
declare their sentiments. the Demo
cratic leaders claim TO have received as
surances from the labor leaders that az
beast Is per cent. of the labor vote VIII De
cast for Bryan. The Republicans, on the
other hand. cannot believe that orsani1eu
labor will vote against its own interests
and in favor Of a deprecated currency.
The real campaign seems now 10 nave
narrowed down TO the Middle West, ana
both parties will put forward Their oes'
efforts in that section from now until the
campaign closes.