Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-10
Hoosiers Favor an Active Policy
Regarding the Philippines.
CRITICISMS OF PRESIDENT M'KINLEY
Alleged Feeling Between the Two
Senators From the State.
DEMOCRATS AND SILVER
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

active work of the campaign will begin
yet the signs are multiplying that Indiana
will again be one of the chief battle
grounds. In 1860 Indiana and Pennsyl-
vania settled in October who was to be
chosen President in November, and ever
since that time Indiana mas been more or
less the pivot on which the election has
turned. Had Indiana failed the new re-
publican party in 1860 in October Abraham
Lincoln would not have been elected Presi-
dent in November, and the war would at
least have been deferred four years This
political pivotal condition has given the
state prominence it would not otherwise
have had, and it has made all Indianians
politicians.
The politicians of Indiana are optimists
of the most extreme type, in SO far as the
future OF the parties is concerned, but as
to the future of the country they are pessi-
mists That is to say, no party man can
see any possible chance for defeat of his
party. To him success is as sure as the
election day is TO come. With him it is
not mere bluff to keep up an appear
ance, but is a reality. Thus, in 1894, when
to the most casual observer from the out
side travelling through the state the indi-
cations all were that the republicans would
have an overwhelming victory, not demo-
crat could be found who was not fully con-
WINGED that hlssparty would be triumphant.
In 1885 1t was the same way, and even
mittee stuck to it for several days that
they had been successful after the returns
were in. They have not yet been able
to See how they were mistaken, Repub-
hcans are just as optimistic, and even the
populists, who never cast more than 1900
or 1000 votes out of total of 600o00, are
always sure of success.
Opinions of Each Other.
AS to the future of the country every re
publican believes that democratic success
means destruction to all business interests,
and every democrat is fully convinced that
the future greatness and prosperity of the
country depends absolutely on their snatch
ing control from the republicans, while the
populsts not only believe, but absolutely
know, that the overthrow, speedy and COM
plete, of the republic can only be averted
by discarding both the old parties. With
these conditions of mind the parties are
already lining up for the struggle of next
year. AS to the republicans, Mckinley is
still the favorite, but there has been a re-
markable change from few months ago.
In 1882, just after the defeat of Harrison,
Indiana republicans declared for Mckinley.
They supported him Loyalty at st. Louis,
and gave him a rousing plurality at the
election. OF the republicans OF Indiana, 9S
per cent of them are in favor Of expan-
sion; of the democrats, G5 per cent are in
favor of the same. at least SO far as a
retention of the Philippines is concerned
OF the 9S per cent of the republicans fully
40 per cent are finding fault with the ad-
ministration because the war is not prose-
cuted with the vigor they think ii ought to
be, and the same view is held by the entire
e. per cent of the democrats. They point
to the fact that Immediately after the
success of Dewey, and when it first began
to be suggested that the United States
would demand the islands from Spain. the
military men who had knowledge of the
condition of affairs said it would require
100000 men; the SDaniards said the same,
as did the English, German and French
papers, yet a small part of that number has
been supplied. They also say that Mr.. Nc
kinley and his cabinet were of the same
opinion and asked Congress to increase the
regular army to that figure, yet when Con-
gress refused, but gave authority for quite
a large increase, the President let several
months go by before he called for any of
the troops authorized.
Spirit of Criticism Aroused.
They cannot understand, they say, why
if in December last, Mr.. Mckinley said
100, 900 men would be needed he did not be-
gin the work of recruiting as soon as au-
thority was given. At first they were not
disposed to criticise the Cuban campaign,
but now that the spirit of criticism has
taken hold of them they are attacking that
and are holding the President responsible
for his long adherence to Alger and Corbin
These are simply the grumblings that are
heard in Indiana among the republicans,
and they are heard everywhere, on the
streets, in the hotel corridors and at the
clubs, and are INDUCED in by almost every
one except the office holders, and those
who are still expecting Office.
With the democrats, 60 per cent are in
favor of free silver absolute, another IS per
cent are opposed to the idea, but will sup
port it because the party Endorses 1t, while
% per cent will work and vote against it.
In 1896, fully 10000 gold democrats in In
no, tod AFaL- S,,11, 6
again the nominee, they will vote with the
republicans next year. Bryan will get the
delegation from Indiana without question.
If the republicans were TO select delegates
now they would be for Mckinley, but the
signs point that unless the war in the Phil
ippines is conducted in the future with
much greater vigor than it has been in the
past, Mr.. Mckinley will have a struggle
to secure the Indiana delegation next year
Senator Fairbanks supports the President,
but it IS understood that Senator Beveridge
is hostile, and will criticise the administra-
ton of affairs in the Philippines with great
vigor. This is currently reported among
his closest friends here. The intimate
friends OF the junior senator are the most
open in their criticism OF the President.
Hostility Between the Senator'S
There is a hostile feeling between the
two senators. 1t is known that Senator
Fairbanks stands very close to the Presi-
dent, and the office seekers are his friends,
While the BeVeridge men feel that they
have been unduly sighted in the distribu-
ton of places Among the adherents of
Beveridge the talk is already common that
he would make splendid presidential tim
Der in 1904, if not in 1900. The young SEN
ator has already expressed his ambition to
some time live in the White House, and he
is as firm believer in his star as ever was
Napoleon. His friends are circulating
quietly a paper drawn up to show at what
an early age other men have risen to great
heights of power, or accomplished some
great work. All this is to point out that
age ought not be counted by years, but by
talents. All this is preliminary for a cam
paign of active work for 1904 1t is not
believed the senator will oppose the reten-
ton of the Philippines. for he has hitherto
been a strong expansionist, but that he will
take an early opportunity, after the Senate
meets, to criticise the slow work that has
been going on toward a pacification; that
he will attempt to show that a resort to
arms was needless and that the policy of
the President is the cause of the present
condition of affairs. These rumors as to
his intention are founded on passages con-
tanned in letters he has written back TIC. his
friends, and from statements made by him
before he departed on his tour of observa-
ton.