New-York tribune., 1898-11-06
HAS NO DOUBT OF THE HOUSE
CHAIRMAN BABCOCKs CONFIDENCE OF
VICTORY STRENGTHENED.
HE ESTIMATES NOW THAT THE REPUBLICAN MA
JORITY WILL NOT FALL BELOW THIRTY

JoRITy WILL NOT FALL BELOW THIRTY.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBuyE.l
Washington, Nov. 5.-The political barometer
I'm the headquarters Of the Republican Con-
gressional Committee continues steadily to rise
and the ruddy countenance Of Chairman Bah
cock to reflect the serene confidence he feels in
the favorab BILE result Of next Tuesdays Congress
elections He is not a man given to exploiting
theories or expounding political logic at this
stage Of a campaign. He can give not only
comprehensive view OF al those portions OF the
great political battlefield which the Repuo-
licans are to win majority Of the next House
of REPRESENTATIVES II they win at all, but also
clear summary OF the political CHARACTERISTICS
and conditions Of each Congress district anu
the basis and reasons for his opinion respecting
the probable result therein. He mas never
chased political rainbow. at least never since
he became chairman OF the Republican 'o"-
gfessional Committee. nearly FIVE years ago. ana
wen-baanced and sagacious politicians ana po-
litical observers. irrespective OF party. nave
learned to respect his judgment. In the course
of conversation to-day Chairman Bapcock saiu
"Since nv last forecast Of the situation and
probable result Republican conditions nave
steadily improved. / expressed the opinion
week ago that the Republicans would elect W.
,ner,bers of the next House Of Representatives.
giving then, a ma ajorty OF twenty seven over all
I now feel justified in saying that the totai he-
publican membership will exceed lo2. and the
indications are that IL will be at least i?'. IL Is
rot necessary to philosophize or go into details
II is too near Election Day for that IL Is SUM-
cient 10 say that in a number OF districts where
the Republicans and their sound-money a'iieS
appeared to be apathctic until recently, uipereh'
conditions now prevail. all Of which are ehcour-
aging In my former forecast generous con-
cession was made to the opposition on account
of ubat the, regarded as districts upon which
they could surely count. ] cannot now cohceue
the opposition as many districts by seven or
eight as | then did while am justihed III III
creasing the total number OF sure Republican
districts by at least five. ! may add tha' the
present outlook is that the Republicans viii
control the organization Of the next House VI
REPRESENTATIVES by majority Of not less than
thirtv-fve There no Indications WhateNo'
that # will fall below thirty. All that Repup-
,ioons have to do now is 10 continue their
efforts and leave nothing in their power undohe
for Marty success until the night Of Election
Day"
A caraf,l and thorough inspection OF the de-
tails on which Chairman Babcocks estimate Is
based would convince any competent ana I'M
martial man that it is a conservative one ana
that n Republicans do their duty everywhere
as they now seem disposed to do. there Is no
reason whatever to doubt that they VIII nave
a. fair working majority in the next House OF
Representatives
Mr. Babcock did not care 10 offer any COM
ments for publication on the estimate put torth
bv Secretary Kerr Of Coin" Harveys Congress
sionaI Committee. on the labored explanation
and argument which accompanied 1t. MI Kerr
says he is confdert thai. the Democrats ana
Fiisfonists viii elect 1S6 members Of the next
House and the Republicans l23 and that forty
eight districts yet in doubt In the light
OF definite and specific information I'm the pos
session OF Chairman Babcock. Secretary Kerr
estimate shrvels and shrnks until the total
number 81 sure Democratic and Fusion mem
bers is reduced to about siXscore.