Evening star., 1898-09-16
ANXIETY OF LEADERS
Republicans Confess That They Are
Worried.
DANGER IN The FALL ELECTIONS
2easons for Fearing a Falling Off
in the Vote.
CAMPAIGN SOON TO OPEN

No attempt is made by republican leaders
to conceal the anxiety which is felt over
the outcome of the fall elections. Many re-
publican politicians who are in positions to
know the status Of affairs in the states
where the contest promises to be closest
say that they cannot rid themselves of the
belief that there is more than possibility
II the democrats carrying the next House
From d republican viewpoint the idea of
The election of a free-silver House of Rep
-esentatives carries more elements of alb
aorrence at this time than in any ordinary
of year"
The republican party managers say that
it would be peculiarly unfortunate now,
when the business offairs of the nation are
settling upon basis OF substantial pros
rer:ty. 10 have the free silver question in
jected into national affairs to unsettle the
people again.
The coming elections however affect rot
only the House of Representatives,, but the
political complexion Of the Senate as well.
Legislatures are to be elected in many
states which will choose United States sem
atOrS next winter. The republicans had set
their lines for gains in the Senate, and
view with alarm the disturbing conditions
which now seem 10 be increasing through
out the country.
1t is explained that there are several
causes for the fear that the republicans
may suffer losses in the election of the next
House. They are enumerated frankly, with
the idea that il Is best to recognize the
situation and prepare TO cope with it.
Dissatisfaction Over Patronage Dis
tribution.
In the first place, 1t is said. there is dis
satisfaction over patronage distribution, in
separable from the advent of new admin
istration but apparently unusually acute
now. No blame is placed at the door of the
administration for the situation, but at the
same time there is use denying, 1t is
said, that the dissa tisfaction exists and
has peTmeated the workers of the party in
districts where party disafection is calcu-
lated to be the most dangerous at this time.
1t is represented also that there is Il
Oticeable danger to the republican cause
in the inevitable reaction from the war.
Complaints. mutterings and other features
OF the close of a military campaign are
likely to react, ii is feared. upon the party
in power. Whatever blame may attach
viii be Chargeable to the republicans, while
the democrats viii see 10 ii that they share
and share alike in the credit of the cam
EaiE1.
fractional Divisions in the Party.
one Of the most dangerous phases of the
outlook for the republicans it is said lies
in the factionaI differences in the party
existing in several states. New York and
Pennsylvania present the most conspic-
uous instances. because the lack of har-
mOny is general throughout those states
and rapidly reaching acute stage.
The unhappy family conditions of the re-
publcans are net confined TO the empire
and keystone states however, but exist in
several other sections of the country
sometimes in Isolated districts 1t is true
but in a sufficient number OF instances to
II axe the party managers uneasy.
1t is also pointed out that the republican
majority in the present House was obtain
ell In some cases by a very narrow mar
gin Districts normally democratic were
carried under the stress Of an unusual cam
the footing which the republicans thus OBJ
teined.
These and many minor reasons are re-
sTonsible for the feeling of uneasinesS
which prevails among republicans. They
say, nOweve~, that the outcome will he that
when the rank and file Of the party be-
comes alive to the danger confronting it
Trey VIII throw off the apathy which now
marks their conduct, and, they are sure.
Will go into the campaign with their CID
tine vfEOr. which is sure TO sweep the field
i. maintained 10 the end of the fight.
Opening the Campaign.
The campaign opens in many of the
states within the next ten days. 1t begins
in Indiana tomorrow, in Michigan Septem-
her ~ aud in other states Immediately
tFereafte-.
Speaker Reed. Representatives Dolliver,
Cousins. Henderson and Hepburn. forming
one Of the greatest ora atOriCal teams of the
campaign, will start in few days on d
siumpiGg tour of the " est.