The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-14
A REPUBLICAN, OF REPUBLICANS.


The assuring thing in the satisfactory
! aspect of McKinley's candidacy, is his
support from the states that furnish
the Republican electoral votes. There
has been much criticism and COM
plant in Republican national cOnven-
tons over the large influence welded
by delegates from states that could not
furnish a single electoral vote. In
doubtedly Senator Sherman's strength
in the Chicago convention in 1888
would have commanded more respect
if more Of it had come from northern
states. But many Of his delegates
were from the south, representing the
old organization which he had well in
hand when he was secretary of the
treasury.
There was the same complaint at the
Minneapolis convention in 1892 ON &C
count of the strength of Harrison
through the federal oficehOlders of the
south. The patronage which he had
distributed had naturally made him
supporters in the southern states, and
they were able to supply a large num-
Der of votes demanding his nomination
even though they could not guarantee
a single electoral vote for him.
McKinley's friends rightfully rejoice
in the fact that he is being supported
by Republicans in all parts of the ma
ton. There is not section east, west,
north or south in which there are not
Republicans enthusiastic for McKin-
ley. But Of the great states which fur
nish most of the electoral votes, at least
ten are practically conceded to Nc
Kinley already. These are Ohio, Min
nesota, Kansas, Wisconsin, Indiana,
South Dakota, Nebraska, Michigan,
North Dakota and Oregon. They cast
a combined electoral vote Of 204. 1t
is expected that Mckinley will receive
some votes On the first ballot from a
majority of all the other president
electing states.
This is certainly an excellent show
ing for Mckinley as the candidate of
Republicans who must elect the ticket
So far as known, Governor Morton has
not a single delegate pledged to him
from any president-electing state e1-
cept his own. Some votes are claimed
for him from southern states, but none
from the north. Up to the present time
Senator Allison's delegates are those
from Iowa and from some of the south
ern states, and possibly some votes
from Utah. Mr.. Reed has the votes
of New England, but outside of that
section his delegates are not as yet
from president-elecung states. That
leaves Mckinley the choice. by a
large majority, of the Republicans of
the states that must make the real fight
for the presidency. The Mckinley men
are saying with some reason that the
men who have TO fight the battles of
the party should be the men to make |
the nominations.
One by one the fayorite sons are |
dropped by the wayside. Davis Of |
was first 10 fall. Then Man |
derson of Nebraska disappeared. Then |
Cullom of Illinois dropped from the |
procession, and now Bradley of Ken |
lucky is out of the race since his own |
district instructed its
delegates for Mckinley.
The field is rapidly narrowing down |
TO the real candidate. II the senti- |
ment for Mckinley continues TO de |
velop as it has during the last six |
weeks, he will be nominated on the |
first ballot.
One Of the principle reasons If not |
the greatest for McKinley's popularity |
and strength in the states named is not |
because of his protection ideas and |
record, for all OF the other candidates
are equally pronounced upon this ques
ton, but ii is TO be found IN the fact |
that he is more faYorable TO silver than
esthef Aof thA' other cand;iste-s Why |
the east and why politicians so gen
orally overlook this fact is unaccount- |
able, unless il is a willfuI blindness.