Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-09-23
LETTERS FROM THE EAST.
A Journal Editors Notes En- Route to
Iowa.
Ballston, Sept. 20.


ST. LOUIS, Sept. 1S.
AS our train passed through Ne
braska, Iowa and Missouri, we began
to feel that politically we were upon
uncertain ground, and all for the
simple reason that political specu-
lators are here at work, ,all looking out
for No. l. There is nothing in the
physical or moral conditions of these
states that should make them differ
ent from other western common
wealths.
In Nebraska there Is a class of Re-
pblicans who would like to bask in
the glory of having defeated Mr..
Bryan in his own state, but verify
they cannot base their hope upon any
thing that will bear the test of reason
or logic. Bryan in his own state has
the triple advantage of, first, the
enthusiasm created for home man;
second, the fact that the Republicans
are there minority party; and third,
because the large producing class,
which is sadly impoverished, wants
something more than such glittering
promises and direful results as Cleve-
landism has brought. 1t is predicted
that Bryan, whose candidacy is looked
upon as new deal will carry the
state by $4,000. The people in both
Nebraska and Iowa are in about the
same frame Of mind that Oregonians
were two years ago, and not even
Mark Hanna's "slush fund" can
break the magic spell Of, or thwart
the dreamed for,a genuine"new deal"
In Missouri the Republican bosses
are turning heaven and earth to get
some of Hanna's Doodle. They put
on bold front and claim everything,
all for the stuff. In old Iowa, where
under ordinary conditions there is a
Republican majority, the G. O. P.
bosses are adopting the reverse meth
DDS, all to pull the strings on Hanna
and his gold. So it is easy to see that
while Bryan's forces have no money
in sight, they are working faithfully
for their candidate and their cause,
while Mr.. McKinley's local managers
spend their time magnifying condi-
tions that will put the filthy lucre in
their pockets. Whatever view any
one may take of the gold or silver is
sues, he must realize that this is a
campaign of principle on the one side
against mammon on the other. Inas-
much as the methods of the one side
are eternally right and the other
eternally wrong, it is easy to conclude
which will ultimately win.
have talked with people at scores
of stations along the road and nearly
everywhere is found some well-coached
talker for sound money, but the crowd
either keeps mum, smile, jeer, or ridi-
cule the apostle of gold, according to
their regard for his personal feelings.
Predictions are running wild, In
Western Iowa, as to Bryan's ma
jority, and especially is this the case
down in the blue grass region, and it
is probably safe to say, as goes Nebras-
ka so goes Iowa. The spirit that
elected Boies governor is rife in an
intensified degree, and if still har,
bored the pride in Republican vict-
ory in Iowa that have for % years
past, l fear the results next Nov
ember would oyerwhelm me for the
rest of my days.
In Illinois as in Iowa the Republi-
can managers are using every argu-
ment TO make themselves and Mark
Hanna believe they are lost, and at
present it looks as though they might
prove good prophets A, f. H