The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-10-10
THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Inc edltor OF this paper has just re-
turned from a visit to Iowa, Illinois, In
diana and Ohio. OF course he is daily
being questioned as to how he found
things east politically-the coming cleo
tion appearing to be the all absorbing
topic-though here not with one-half the
intensity found all through the cedtral
states. and in the far east.
There is not much greater informa-
t.on to be obtained in political way
through travel than is to be had by close
reading the newspapers an both sides the
line, but so far as we we're able to learn
BY careful inquiry and conversation
with both Democrats and Republicans in
all walks of life, from bankers to hod
carriers, the Republicans have not one
single iota Of evidence on which to base
tho extrayagant claims that they are
making. II there is one thing more
evident than another it is that the hard
est Job Mr.. Hanna has on his hands is to
carry MIR. McKinley's own state. The
predictions made by the GRAPHIC in
reference to strong free silver sentiment
always present in Ohio were more than
verified by personal investigation. The
Republicans have polled the state twice
and last Sundays Chicago Tribune ad-
mits that the first poll showed that Ohio
was for Bryan. They claim that the
second poll showed Mckinley gains, but
they don't give any figures or localities.
A third poll is now being taken. Are
cent New York special to the Chicago
Record. political independent news
paper, gives fairly correct idea of the
situation in Ohio:
The news from Ohio is, however, not
SO encouraging for the Republicans. The
dlsatfectiOn among the farming popula-
ton IL said to be muc h greater than was
supposed. A gentleman who has been
making canvass of Tuscarawas county
reports that in ten townships lie found
that there were thirteen anti-silver DEM
0crats who intended to vote for McKin,
ley. In the same townships the republi-
cans who intended to vote for Bryan are
as t0llews: No /, III; 2, 74;3 I8; 4, 18;
8, 37;6, 56; Z, "a; 8, III; 8, l76; 10, Al.
making a total 685 votes who are leaving
the Republican party, or a net gain Of
b72 IN that county. Similar reports
come from Knox, Coshocton. and Wayne
counties. John R. Mclean is said to be
making thorough canvass OF the state,
and 50 for as he has gone, these reports
nave been confirmed in the country, In
the cities and manufacturing districts a
strong Mckinley sentiment Is reported,
but the Democrats claim that tho farm
ers all for Bryan.
What Is true of Ohio is true Of Illinois
and Iowa-though perhaps to a less ex-
tent-so far as our observations extended.
In one Ohio precinct which never polls
over 500 Democratic votes the Democrats
have 700 names to Bryan club, while
on the other hand the Republicans only
claim seyen bolting Democrats. We
found almost tho same identical thing
In an Iowa precinct casting about half
as many votes. The Republicans claim
that many of their boilers will come
back In the ranks before election day,
but upon seeking out some Of those
named and drawing them out wo failed
to find one who showed any Indication
Of voting for Mckinley. is not over
estimating matters to say that go where
you will outside of the large business
centers and it is easier to find five Re-
publicans who say they are going to vote
for Bsyan than to find one Democrat
who Is going to vote for Mckinley or
Palmer.
One significant fact that cannot fail to
attract ones attention is that In almost
every county there is from ont to q half
dozen former Republicans on the stump
Tor Bryan while local Democrat talking
for Mckinley is rare bird. We met
1.aDy number OF Republicans whom we
have personally known for years, and
who never voted q Democratic ticket
some Of them who helped found the par
tn, who are enthusiastic Bryan mon. The
Democrats claim. too, that ihers are a1I
number Of prominent Republicans who
Tor business reasons do noi5 care 70 bs