Evening star., 1898-11-01
T H E PACIFIC SLOPE
Interest and Enthusiasm in the Republican
Campaign.
Hopes of That Party In California
All for Extension of
Territory.
Special Correspo rfence of The Evening Star


SAN FRANCISCO, October 81, 1898.
Greater enthusiasm and greater interest
has marked the republican campaign in
this state, this fall, than has been known
for years. The people are simply brim-
ming over with politics, and to say that
there is any apathy in California is to
grossly misrepresent the situation. Mass
meetings are of nightly occurrence, and
prominent speakers from all over this
great western country are holding the at
tention of the voters. Perhaps no greater
enthusiasm has ever marked a political
campaign of any orator than that which
has followed Webster Davis the assist
ant secretary of the interior. He has made
the western circuit, everywhere attracting
the attention of the intelligent voters, who
listen with rapt attention to his glowing
tributes to the administration and his clear
enunciation of the principles OF repub-
licanism at the present time. He has
proven himself a spell l-binder, and the old
est politicians in the state are unanimous
in his praise. He spoke at Sacramento, the
other evening, and fifteen thousand in
teiligent men listened with marked atten-
ton for two hours to his speech. 1t was,
in a large degree. directed to the great
principles of republicanism, the treatment
of the war by the present administration,
the large benefits that had accrued to this
country from a protective tariff and the
great future that was in store for the west
by reason of our conqueStS In the east.
The people along this sunny slope of
California and all imperialists, If by that is
meant an extension of territory, for they
want to see new markets opened I'D for
the great products of the west. Our farm
ers and our manufacturers have learned
the lesson in the eastern part of this coun-
try; they know that the exorbitant freight
charges make it impossible for them to
compete wi h their eastern brothers. And
a consequence the west is suffering for
an outlet Its magnificent climate, Its
large aid varied resources should give 1t
position second to none In the export
line They want the Philippines. They
will support the party that will maintain
the sovereignty of the United States In
those islands. They realize that with the
Philippines a United States possession the
outlet has been found for western products.
Goods can be shipped from almost any of
the western country, now, to the Philip
pines at a rate less than would carry them
to the Mississippi.
Throughout this campaign the democrats
have sought to make capital out of what
they denominate "Algerlsm;' but that
bomb-shell which they expected to work
such havoc with the republican party has
long since spent its force and the soldiers
themselves now realize that everything
was done for their comfort that, under the
circumstances, could be done. The old SOL
der is in line. despite the claims made by
the anti-adm;listra tionistS that the In
terror Department was inimical to the
interests of the old pensioners; they real
ize from the reports that have been pub
lshed that their condition is far better at
the present time than ever before.
The republican party in California has
never been better organized than at the
present time, and the vote this year will
be larger than that cast in the last presi-
Dental election, and it is predicted by the
republican managers that the republican
nominees will receive overwhelming ma
jorities. The state is safely republican,
and every is looking forward to a
grand corrobora ton of this when the polls
are closed in few days.