New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-26
sENATORsHIP THE CHIEF PRIZE.

9 next The seat in the United States Senate is
undoubtedly the main prize 10 be fought for at
the polls for II the Republicans can defeat
Senator Turpie for reelection they will have
broken at last Democratic succession in the
upper branch Of Congress which has been MAIN
tanned for no less than twentyfour years.
The conditions under which the present cam
pagn is being fought are somewhat puzzlng'
Since 1894 Indiana has been Republican by SUD-
stantial pluralities. Normally, however cleo
tions here are extremely close and doubtful In
the last six Presidential contests thu State has
been three times Republican and three times
Democratic and in four of these campaigns
it was carried by pluraties Of less than 10000.
In 1896 the revolt within the Democratic party
against the. free silver coinage declaration or
the Chicago platform alone saved the Republl-
can electoral ticket from defeat for four years
earlier Mr. Cleveland had had plurality over
General Harrison of 1.125. and a Democratic
fusion with the Populsts on electors had
brought as a reinforcement to the opposition the
$4,000 votes then cast for General James Is.
Weaver, the Populist Presidential nominee
THE SOUND MONEY DEMOCRATS.
Nowhere. indeed, did the Democratic sound
money movement in 1896 play more conspicu-
GUS or decisive role than here in Indiana. The
Gold Standard National Convention was held In
this city which was at once chosen and still
remains the headquarters Of the organization.
Though General Palmer received only 2,l43
votes for the Presidency In 1896, 1t is estimated
that at least twenty thousand Sound Money
Democrats supported the Republican electoral
ticket. which won by a margin Of 1881 over
the Democrat Popullst coalition. What VI
tally there is left in the sound-money move
other States the partial observation Of the free
coinage issue has encouraged a general drift
toward former party associations. Yet. 50 far
as the leaders Of the organization here are
concerned. their influence has been thrown
steadily against any compromise with the free
coinage element in the party, and their views
are echoed I'm the recent announcement by Cen
eral Palmer that in the choice Of Representa-
tives in Congress this year both duty and con-
slstency would compel him 10 support a Repuo-
lican rather than a free-cOinage Democratic
nominee
The Republican managers here are confident
that they will retain this fall large snare OF
the Democratic vote cast two years ago Tor
Major Mckinley for President They point. be
sides TO the natural and healthy party growth
which has come In the last four or fVe years
through the industrial development OF the state
ard PARTICULARLY OF that northern half In when
the Republican strength mainly lies Indeed
with no especially disturbing Issues to be faced
opd with a dissolution OF the Democratc-Popu-
list alliance Of 1896. already assured IL Is not
strange n ind responsible Republican leaders
predicting a plurality even greater IMAM MAJOR
McKney's for November =
To hold the nine seats in the National House
OF Representatives now occupied by Republican
nj essen
tial Southern Indiana settled I'm large part by
nm i,nuigratiorf from below the ohio, is natu-
rally reactonary in politics. and therefore
Democratic. OF the seven Congress districts
into which the lower counties of the state have
been panelled out five have long been Demo-
cratic under normal conditions Three Of them
are now represented in the lower house Of Con-
gross bv Democrats. and I'm three more the bal
ance of power is continually shifting between
the two parties.
IN THE CONGRESS DISTRICTS.
Tho Ist or Evansville District returned a Re-
pnhlcan 70 the House in 1894 and 1S96-James
4 IIemcnway who is again a candidate Tor re-
oIoction This district comprises the SIX counties
in the southwestern corner OF the state Evans
VILE being the chief centre OF population Two
years ago Mr.. Bryan carried 1t FOR the fresi-
dencv but the appearance in the ield or fopu-
list candidate for Congress made Mr.. Heinen-
wav's success possible This year the OPPOSE
tion vote Is again divided. and the Republican
candidate should certainly hold his plurality Of
1S96-1.05l,
The Id. lid and IVth districts are pretty
certain to return the present Democratic In
cumbents r. w Miers had n plurality In the
lid two years ago Of 99S. with 2G2j votes cast
for POpulist nominee. w. X. Gardiner. OF
Washington. is the Republican candidate this
wear He is making active canvass. but his
silver Democrat was elected in 1896 in the lid
by a plurality OF 2,J4S. although the two chief
cities in the district. New Albany ana Jefferson
Vile usually Democratic were carried by Major
Mckinley The normal Democratic plurality is
3 900 to 1000 The WITH District elected Job
icctor" Holman TO Congress in 1916, and after
his death was carried at special election by
F. NJ Griffith, the present Democratic nominee.
Mr. Griffiths plurality in IS9i was something
over 900 He seems likely to be reelected next
month by an increased margin.
The WITH TenderlOin District was captured
IN 1894 and held in 1896 by George w. Faris
Republican. His plurality two years ago was.
however only 30. and his reelection is en-
dangered now by local dissensions. The result
in the district this fall is extremely doubtful.
The With District. embracing the central and
astern counties Of the state. Is safely Repub-
lican Henry V. Johnson whose eccentricities
I'm Congress have attracted more or less atten-
tion has represented this constituency for the
last eight years lie has now withdrawn from
poItics and James T. Watson. who defeated
William s. Holman In 1894 In the old WITH
District is this year the Republican nominee
He ought TO win by plurality OF at least 1900.
INDIANAPOIIs A WEIGHTY FACTOR
The With District. which includes the State
capital, has been carried twice by Jesse over.
street. Republican. who u making thu race for