Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-10
SENTIMENT CHANGES SWIFTLY
South Dakota Now Takes Its Place in
McKinley's Column.
WHAT THE CAMPAIGN HAS DONE THERE
Republicans Carry On n Fight Among
the Masses and Soon Counters
act the Influence of
Pcttigrcw.

SIOUX FALLS, s. D., Oct, 9-(Special)-
VIII South Dakota vote for Mckinley? At
the present time were the vote taken the
republicans would carry the state by 5000
to 5000. This statement is based upon an
accurate poll. The majority is likely to
increase between now and November
In July there was great ebullition of the
silver sentiment in this state. Following the
chicago convention came the bolt of Senator
fettgrew and other prominent republicans.
Ihe republican party was shaken to its
foundation. The teachings of Pettigrew had
permeated the people. For wears the sena-
tor and his leaders had filled the state with
free silver documents and free silver speecbes
and no campaign had been made ON the other
side. Naturally large share OF the party
had imbibed the heresy. In the spring the
senator had swept the five counties surround
ing Sioux Falls by two-thirds majority and
had carried a third of the state. This
showed his personal following. His bolt
naturally drew hundreds, il not thousands.
away from the republicans. The union OF
democrats, populists and free silver repub-
licans made a formidable opposition.
On July 10 had the vote been taken tho
state would have gone for Bryan by fully
$4,000. The Bryanites were enthusiastic and
carried with them the band wagon floaters
Since then great change has taken place.
by August ] the republicans began a hard
campaign. For the first time in the history
OF the state the sound money argument was
put forth by the newspapers Thousands OF
merchants who had never taken an interest
In politics became convinced that free silver
meant ruin for them and the state and
without anything being said on the part of
politicians they turned themselves into
propagandists.
Tho effect became at once evident. Tho
records showed daily conversions to
the republicans from those who
had at first followed Pettgrew
into the populist campaign. Sound
money democrats became changed for Nc
Kinley. Many populsts who objected to
the domination of their party by Pettigrew
returned to the republican fold An organ
zation was made by the republicans which
exceeded in strength and efficiency any
hitherto known The great silver majority
began to dwindle. The silver men covered
the state with speakers and literature, but
their organization was neither strong nor ef-
fectve.
SHOWN BY THE NEXT POLL.
Then the poll was taken. 1t showed a
small majority for Bryan. The work went
on harder than before, and the changes were
all in the same direction. The republicans
grew in enthusiasm large number of
national speakers came to the state and
every day saw gains Toward the middle of
July the city of Sioux Falls showed a popu-
list majority of 500. Today the city is
safely for Mckinley by 800 The poll Just
completed by the republicans is the most
accurate ever taken. 1t shows that Mckinley
would carry the state today by several
thousands.
The republicans will lose over two years
ago in Minnehaha, Moody, Brule, Yankton,
Fall River and some of the smaller counties
They have largely gained in the north part
of the state in McCook Bon Homme Turner
Hutchinson and the northern hills. At the
present time IL may be said that outside of
five counties about Sioux Falls, comprising
the Second judicial circuit, the party has
gained over two years ago. OF those five
Lincoln will give the same repub-
lican majority The republicans have gained
in McCook county, though 1t is hardly to be
expected they will carry 1t. Lake will go
republican by about the same majority.
Moody will be about a standoff, and Mime
haha Will find the majority reduced from
1000 of two years ago to 800 this year. This
Is the situation now
The republicans, however are putting up
a tremendous campaign and are gaining
daily. The business interests of the state
are almost solidy for Mckinley The rail
road employees, three fourths OF the old SOL
iers a large majority OF the miners are
The same way. Among the farmers the free
silver cry has taken the strongest hold; but
among the farmers the republicans are gain
ng continually 1t Is safe to predict that
will carry this state by from
1000 to 10000. The populists practically are
aware of their defeat, are working and CIV
ng all their strength to carry the legislature.
Owing to the fact that they have possession
If large number of the smaller sparcely
populated counties, their chances for the
legislative are better than for the general
cket.
Two years ago the republicans carried tha
tate by 1000 majority. They will gain thia
,ear from 1000 to 5000 sound money demo-
rats. They will lose from 1000 to 5000
'ettigrew republicans. The gains therefore,
IN the one side from the democrats on tho
'ther from the republicans are about an
'ffset. The Indications are that 1000 or
900 who voted the populist ticket being
lisgusted at the various fusion deals and
lso at the nerve with which Pettigrew has
assumed the leadership Ef the populist
,arty, will vote the republican ticket. Tho
utlook is particularly bright. Both sides
re working with tremendous energy. They
ave fought their fight well in the
tate, and for the next three weeks 1t is un-
erstood that they will concentrate their
trength in Minnehaha county. This Ia
enator Pettigrew's home, and will be tho
ardest fought field In the state.