The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-26
REPUBLICAN OUTLOOK.
Chairman of Congressional Commit
tee Talks of Western Politics.

Chairman of Congressional Commit
tee Talks of Western Politics.
Washington, Aug. Representative
Babcock of Wisconsin, chairman of the
Republican congressional committee,
returned to Washington yesterday. He
has just completed a western trip. To-
day he will commence the work of the
campaign. The Republican committee
has headquarters at the Hotel Norman
die. Mr.. Babcock discussed the politi-
cal situation at length yesterday after
noon.
so far as national matters and the
support of the president are concerned .
said he, the Republican party through
out the west is unit. have yet to
hear the first criticism of Mr.. Mckinley
or his administration from a western
man. The difficulties the Republicans
will meet in the congressional elections
apply both to the west and east. and
they refer to differences arising from
contests in state matters.
In the states of Iowa, Minnesota
and Wisconsin we cannot expect to
make gains for the reason that those
states are sOlidly Republican now. In
northern Illinois the condition is the
same and there is no chance there for
gains to offset losses that may be met
in the east. We must face the fact that
we VIII lose a number of districts in
New York, Pennsylvania and other
eastern states. Tammany is in control
case in "a and SO when we carried the
city.
IN the west the free silver sentiment
has died out to a wonderful degree, to
a much greater extent than any one
who has not been in the west lately
would be inclined to believe. There
is no chance there for recruits on that
issue.
We will make gains in Kansas, Ne
braska, South Dakota, wyoming, Cali
fornia, and possibly Washington.
I have found wonderful amount
of confidence among Republicans every
where [ have been, and this is based
upon the success of the Republican adj
ministratiOn. To so great an extent
is this feeling prevalent that Repubh-
cans say we will win with hands down.
To my mind that feeling shows a great
mistake. We will have a good working
majority of sound money Republicans
in the next senate. This majority will
be from six to nine. But there is no
use Disgusting the fact that the cleo
ton of a majority in the house will be
q very close and difficult matter, and
our Republican friends should under
stand this. The reason for our losses
in the house will come from dissatisfac-
ton over the disposition of patronage
and from local complications in the va
riOus states.
while we will have votes to carry
the next house, we cannot expect to
have as large a majority there as we
have now. We now have fffty-One ma
jOrity, so that we can sustain some
losses and still have a good working
majority. But the situation is such
that it behooves every Republican to
be on the alert, especially in close dis
tricts, because we will need every one
of them"
How do the people of the west feel
concerning the results of the warp was
asked.
Il have found a sentiment Of general
satisfaction there over the results of
the war, and find those who voted for
Mckinley are especially proud of it,
whether Republicans or Democrats"