Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-07
Republicans Said to Have Had Seasons
Of Hopefulness.
CONFIDENCE OF THE STATE CHAIRMAN
Effect of the Recent Convention
at indianapolis.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
OF The Evening Star.

Inc pOiil Cdl atmosphere lelt IN lNlS city
by the retiring colN ention is rather mixed.
Before its assembling the democrats of this
state were disposed to sneer at it. and did
not believe it would have any appreciable
effect on the situation. but now have
changed their tune somewhat. On the
other hand, the republicans were disposed
to hail its coming with joy, believing It
would prove a powerful auxiliary to them
during the campaign 1t turned out to be
SO mIcn bigger every way than they an
ticipated that they are inclined to the opin-
ion that it will prove detriment to Nc
Kinley rather than a help.
Among the leading democrats of the
state is Capt. w. r. Myers, for several
years secretary Of state. Originally he was
a sound money man, and Prior to the meet
ing Of the Chicago convention made many
speeches striving TO stem the tide for free
silver, in which he denounced the free sill
yer movement as treason to the prosperity
and welfare of the country. When Bryan
was nominated he gave in and renewed his
allegiance to his party. On being asked
this morning as TO what would be the re-
suit, he said, emphatically, that it would
make sure the election of Mckinley. In
his Judgment the republicans will now car
ry Indiana and Illinois, that We're both
sure for Bryan before. Many democrats
here tndorSe the sentiment expressed by
Capt. Myers.
Effect of PaImer's Nomination.
On the other hand, many of the promi-
nent republicans believe that the nomina-
ton of Palmer puts Indiana again In the
doubtful column. They say that had no
nomination been made several thousand
sound money democrats in the state would
have voted for Mckinley, but will now cast
their ballots for the new ticket. Indiana is
really a democratic state, and when condi-
tons are EorBlal that party is successful,
but owing to the depression in business
and the dissatisfied feeling among the
workingmen Of the gas belt, the republic
cans had felt all along that their chances
this var were a least even, but when the
free silver movement broke out with such
fierceneSS hey became very much diScour-
aged. INN ediately after the Chicago con-
vention the ticket there nominated was re-
pudiated by so many sound money demo-
Gratis that once more the republicans be-
came confident believing that the sound
money democrats would vote with them.
Capt. Gowdy, the cha rman of the repub-
liCan committee. expresses himself as feel
ing assured that the state is now safe on
the national ticket, and, while not aban-
doning his efforts to secure votes for Nc
kinley, he will, he says, turn his attention
mainly to the congressional and legislative
contests. Two years ago the republicans
swept every congressional district. Since
then the geographical lines have been
changed, and while the change has been to
the benefit of the republicans still there
are at least seven of the thirteen districts
in doubt. The first, second, third, fourth.
twelfth and thirteenth districts are nor
mally democratic, but all except the third
are regarded doubtful this year. the re-
publicanS having a lighting chance. The
tenth district is normally republican, but
there is considerable dissatisfaction among
the republicans, and owing to the combna-
ton of the democrats and popuhsts, the
republicans have only a margin of about
200, uneaSinesS is felt as to the outcome.
Evansville is the metropolis Of the first
district, and contains a large German popu-
lation. The Germans are for sound money,
and most of the leaders have declared their
intention to vote for Hemmenway, the re-
publican candidate. Just how strong this
element will be is not known, but ii places
the district in such shape as to give the
republicans strong hopes Of carrying it.
Mr.. Hemmenway is the present member
and is personally very popular. The free
silver sentiment has never been as strong
in that district as in some Of the others
Mr.. Holmnn's District.
The fourth district is the one in which
Mr.. Holman is the democratic candidate
again. 1t is almost exclusively an agri-
cultural district, and it was expected the
free silver sentiment would be very strong
among the farmers. For thirty years Mr.
Holman has been the political god of the
district, but in making the new lines some
Few counties were thrown into it, where
he is not personally known, and he labors
Under that disadvantage. His methods Of
electioneerirg have always been peculiar to
himself. In all his political career he has
never gone out of his own district to make
speeches. nor, when he could prevent it,
has he permitted any other democrat of
prominence to speak in his district Two
years ago he went down in the landslide,
but has again been nominated. His repub-
lican opponent is a young man, who is
known as a vote getter. There are not as
many sound money democrats in the dis
trict as in the first, and most of those, SO
far as is known, stand by Holman; but out
among the farmers the reciprocity feature
Of tho Mckinley law was looked upon as
the one great thing for their benefit. and
its repeal by the democrats, it is claimed,
has operated to turn the farmers to the
republicans. If the election were held now
the indications are the republicans would
win with ease, but no one can tell what the
future has hidden away.
The twelfth district is democratic by
about $500 usually, but the conditions are
much the same as in the first. Fort Wayne
has large German vote, and the sound
money feeling is very strong. 1t is also
large railroad center, and the railroad
men are very pronounced for sound money
and ere openly advocating the election of