Kansas City daily journal., 1896-10-28
KANSAS TOPICS.


thing about the actual situation here
Never before in her history has Kansas
passed through such a political campaign
as the one just closing, and never before
has 1t been so difficult to predict with any
thing like accuracy the probable result
The prairie grass has been a-fire from
one end OF the state to the other The
farmer has turned from his plow and the
merchant has locked the doors OF his store
to participate in the demonstrations OF
their respective political parties. 1t is es-
timated that 1o.00O political meetings have
been held within the borders OF the state
and almost every township and voting pre-
cinct has thoroughly organized clubs
among both the gold and silver forces.
Ihis being the case, ii has not been aifIi-
cult to locate the shouting and enthusiastic
voter, for he has Joined one or the other
of the clubs within his voting precinct
and bears aloft the banner of his belief
but with that great body known as the
silent voter the case Is different. Even
the enthusiasm of this remarkable cam
paign has not materially reduced his num-
bers. He holds the balance of power in
Kansas and the brass band music dinred
into his ears has only served to seal his
lips the tighter.
But there are certain Indications which
appear valuable in seeking to form an
opinion of the probable result. At the be-
ginning Of the campaign enthusiasm and
confidence characterized the silver forces.
For two weeks after the nomination of
Bryan the Republicans of Kansas seemed
dazed and hopeless. Fusion was accom-
plished between the Democrats, Populists
and bolting free silver Republicans. They
opened joint headquarters at the state capi-
tai with a beating Of drums and sounding
of cymbals
Free silver clubs were organized in al
most every county before the Republicans
had recovered sufficiently to take the field.
With noise and acclaim the fusion forces
marched over the state shaking their BAN
ners and voicing their challenges. Chair
man j. Mark Love established a bureau of
prophecy. and put out bulletins claiming
the state for Bryan by 10000 majority.
Bets were offered at great odds against
Mckinley and found no takers. and in
every direction the Indications seemed to
point to a fusion victory.
Then a change came over the situation.
The Republicans secured their second wind
and plucked up courage. A campaign was
opened which, as remarked before, has had
no parallel in the history Of the state. An
army of speakers was enlisted. both from
home and abroad Tons of sound money
literature were scattered broadcast. Every
opportunity to accelerate the reaction
which hadi set IN from the excitement Of
Bryan's nomination was seized upon. Pres
bly, winging ITS way across the DUH brown
prairies. Caught up by the never-wavering
faithful 1t gradually swelled until in enc
grand antiphonal chorus it assailed the
purple skies.
]. Mack Love reorsanized his prophecy
bureau and reduced his majority for Bryan
to 10000. With renewed courage the Re-
publicans continued the battle. They were
no longer upon the defensive. Instead OF
guarding the breastworks behind which
they had taken refuge at the first free
silver onslaught, they entered the open
plain for battle man to man. ]. Mack
Love again convened his soothsayers and
reduced his Bryan majority to 10000
Around the wings the Republican columns
charged and doubled them back upon the
center. and then the fusion general with
drew his forces to the sullen hills of silence
where he now sits brooding.
No more bets! No more predictions OF
enormous majorities! A visit to the fusion
headquarters yesterday revealed the COM
mitteemen sitting around in hopeless atti-
tudes. charging that the Republicans had
arranged to steal the state and predict
ing their success In that felonious direction.
The only bets offered by the men who.
few weeks ago, were giving great odds
that Kansas would go for Bryan were that
McKinley's majority would not be more
than 10000. The state capital OF Kansas
Is deluged with Mckinley money, which
finds no takers. Whatever may be the
foundation for the change the enthusiasm
is now undoubtedly with the Republicans
and the anxiety with the fusionists.
But. as indicated at the outset, these are
only indications and not proof. by any
means, that the battle has been won. In
addition to the great silent vote, there are
other elements which cannot be accurately
accounted for. All figures which so far have
been put out were based upon the vote
cast two years ago. At this election there
will be at least 5000 more votes cast than
in 1892. The legitimate increase by reason
Of young men coming Of age ought to be
at least 1000. The registration in all Of
the cities shows large increase over any
vote which Kansas has cast of recent
years. The polls OF the central commit
tees indicate an increase from all sources
of at least 35.00o Where will this vote go
this year. Is the burning question. The
Republicans claim 1t is composed of men
for the greater part who are coming out
this time because they feel the welfare of
the nation to be in jeopardy. On the other
hand, the free silver leaders claim II is
composd Of men who are coming out be-
cause they see q chance to reform the
finances Of the country. You pay your
money and take your choice.
But whatever may be the uncertainty as
to the electoral ticket In Kansas. there is
no reasonable doubt Of the election of the
entire Republican state ticket. This Is vir-
tually conceded by the fusion forces. j.
Mack Love and his committee can hardly
make such a concession, but the officers OF
the free silver state committee do. and out
upon the streets may be found hundreds
of Bryan men who are ready to bet on
Morrill,. 1t Is generally conceded by all
of the committees that the Republican
state ticket will run ahead Of the electoral
ticket by q number Of thousands. This Is
accounted for by the unattractive person.
mel of the fusion state ticket. Democrats
and free silver Republicans. VINO are for
Bryan, fatty refuse to support Leedy and
bis fellows.
At the Republican state headquarters the
utmost confidence is expressed that Nc
Kinley will carry Kansas. The betting
contingent always to be found about such
places is freely offering money on this re-
suit. The committee gives out no figures
and makes no extravagant claims. but
about the entire establishment there is an
air of confidence and good-nature strik-
ingly at variance with the angry demean-
or of the fusion committeeman, who seem
to be putting in most of their time charg-
ing that the Republicans have arranged
to steal the state. apparently obnvious to
the fact that they are confessing defeat.
Since Dan McTaggart turned to be Pop
ulist. the Cherryvale Republican keeps nag
ging him about a certain envelope contain
ing $50 bill. which, Ii declares, he re-
ceived right after the state senate vote es-
tablishing the girls reformatory at Beloit.
Among the young Kansans who are COM