Evening star., 1898-10-10
Both Congressional Campaign Com
mittees Are Anxious.
ALL VOTERS SEEM APATHETIC
The War Will Not Figure Much in
Debate.
DEMOCRATIC EXPECTATIONS

tees are exerting themselves to overcome
the apathy which seems to pervade the
whole country with respect to the con-
81 1essional elections this fail. Notwith-
standing the fact that the control of the
| next House is deeply in doubt, and that
the result is of great Importance, the voters
in the various districts, according to the
reports received here, are apathetc and in
different. 1t is hinted that the democrats
are making a still hunt, but it is not un-
usual when they fail to arouse interest to
talk about still hunts or "gum-shoe'' can
vesses to make it appear that the seeming
Indifference is the result of some deep de-
| sign on their part. The fact is that the
| leck of interest indicated is extremely per
picking to both parties. The republicans
particularly are making an effort to over
come this and to arouse interest, but the
democrats seem to be working with very
| limited resources, relying largely on the
fact that it is an off year and that there is
usually reaction in politics at intervals.
| There appears to BE- positive danger that
the republicans will lose the next House
unless there is a ready response to the eff
| forts that are now being put forth to put
SCI life IN the canvass.
War Won't Figure Much.
1t is not believed that the war is going to
figure much in the campaign, certainly not
10 TIE extent ludl IL was eApeCleu- IL ID
said that any attempt to discuss the con-
| duct of the the stump eXcites i'm
| patience on the part of the audience, and
| that the public dScourages speakers from
any discussion of the war except by way Of
some patriotic alusion to the glory of the
country and the bravery of our soldiers in
a very general way. References 10 he
| triumph of the war, it Is said, are received
with great enthusiasm. but discussion of
tic. aTty
| of interest Soldiers going home, it is said.
become individually centers of interest, and
| they are questioned vary minutely about
everything pertaining to the war.
| Those who make complaints are cross
questioned as if they were on the witness
stand This is especially true in villages
and country places, the people evidently
endeavoring to judge for themselves by
the tone of the complaint and the way it is
sustained what justification there may be
for it. Usually the people are silent as to
the conclusions they have arrived at, but
it is said that as general rule complaints
are received with some degree of coldnesS,
or at least so it appears. Notwithstanding
all the interest shown in the soldiers them
selves, audiences do not seem to
listen to a discussion by politicians from
the stump of the conduct of the war
New York and Pennsylvania.
A great deal of interest is taken in Wash
ington in the contest in New York and the
anticipated that the republicans will lose
some members of the House from both
these states, and q great deal of concern
is felt by the republicans on account of the
very bad state of affairs in Pennsylvania,
resulting from too much QuayiSm. While
they look upon that state too strongly
republican for its loss to that party to be
threatened, the bad odor in which the Quay
management has put the party in that
great center of republicaniSm, it is feared,
may reflect discredit on the party generally
and furnish the opposition hook which
to hang their criticisms of republican meth
DDS in politics This Is offset, however, by
the fact that the republicans of Pennsyl-
Vanla are making a fight to purify their
home politics, ana not trying to cover
up any thing nor to excuse wrong. The fact
that the fight is being made is looked upon
as a hopeful sign, just the fact of Platt
being compelled to accept Roosevelt as a
candidate in New York is regarded as in
dicating that the boss in that state is losing
his hold. Republicans feel that they can
well afford to do whatever 'house-clean-
ing Is necessary at this time, and run the
risk of some slight losses, thereby putting
themselves in excellent shape for the more
important election il 1880.
Democratic Expectations
The democrats are beginning to express
very strong expectations of being able to
carry New York. NotWithsta nding the i'm
nense enthusiasm shown in New York for
Mr.. Roosevelt they point out that all
classes of democrats and such independents
as belong to the Dewitt Warner and the
Ellery Anderson class are supporting Van
Wyck, and that the German vote and the
votes controlled by the liquor interests,
without regard to party, are against Roose-
Welt on account of his excise record. The
contemplation of this claim gives the demo-
Gratis great satisfaction, and they make a
manifestation of confidence. Republicans
familiar with the New York situation 40
not disturb themselves much about the
prospect of opposition to Roosevelt on ac-
count of his record in enforcing the excise |
laws. They feel that very small vote will |
be affected by this, and sum up RooSe-
velts strength in three things. First that
being the nominee, selected by Piatt and his |
leutenants for whatever motive he will |
have the unbroken support of the regular
organization and all the voters who usually ,
follow Platt Second, Roosevelt being re-
former and credited by everybody with be- |
ing both fearless and honest, he will have |
the support of the people who want good |
government in New York. and have fire. |
quently been led to vote against republican
candidates through desire to protest |