Evening star., 1900-10-04
Democrats Reported to Be Well Or
ganizsd in That State.
REPUBLICAN, APATHY DISAPPEARING
Situation is Much Similar in
Illinois.
EFFORTS CON NCENTRATED

The democrats are gradually concentrat-
ing their efforts more and more on New
York as the point where the decisive blow
must be struck, if anything is to be accom-
plished for Bryan. curious feature of the
campaign is that the democrats, apparently
by force of necessity, having nothing TO
gain elsewhere, have selected for the battle
grounds of this campaign those places
which the republicans naturally count as
their strongholdS. Mr.. Bryan is turning to
the "enemy's country for support, and the
reason for 1t is that he cannot find enough
votes elsewhere to elect him. There is but
one state which the republicans might re-
gard as hostile country where unusual
fight is being put up for President McKin-
ley That is Bryan's own state-Nebraska.
There the republicans are making a vigor-
Gus fight and expect to carry the state.
In Nebraska. South Dakota, Washington,
Wyoming, Utah, Montana and Idaho the
democrats are fighting on the defensive.
The real battle ground of the campaign,
which they have chosen themselves is In
New York, Indiana. Illinois and Ohio All
OF those states are conspicuous for senti-
ment hostile to those policies for which
Bryan stood in SO and which are incorpo-
rated in the declarations of principles on
which he stands today. notwithstanding the
paramount issue. With the single excep-
ton of Indiana, which has always been
shifting state, these are not states which
the average citizen would think of calling
doubtful. Yet the character of the canvass
has sufficiently developed to make 1t plain
that democratic hope of success Is based
upon these states, on the assumed existence
of condition of public sentiment which
would take out Of the republican column not
only these. but perhaps other strong repub-
lican states. The failure of such senti
ment as would overcome the natural feel
trfy Of hnS tnyI, rC in
New York means the collapse of the en-
tire democratic canvass
The Real Battle Ground.
New York is really the place where the
test is expected to be made. If that state
cannot be carried it is not believed. even
by those who really think the policy of
the administration is violently disapproved
of. that Bryan can be elected On the
other hand, conditions which would admit
of the democrats carrying New York would
be very apt to influence the votes of all
the states now spoken of as doubtful.
The democrats are very well organized In
New York. Notwithstanding the enmty be-
tween Hill and Croker. prominent re-
publican told Star reporter the other day
that he knew through close personal con-
fidences that whatever might be Hills feel
ing toward Bryan, Croker was thoroughly
captivated by Bryan and was undoubtedly
sincere in his expressions of admiration for
was no sham about the fight Croker intends
to make to capture New York and that the
republicans. knowing this. We're not de-
ceiving themselves with the belief that
they could afford to let the state take care
of itself. Croker has promised Bryan the
biggest majority below the Harlem that has
beer given to any democrat in many years
Having control of the local machinery in
New York city, Croker intends to do this
If he can, and no one will deny that he has
great power within his limited sphere of
action. The republicans. while not granting
that there IS any possibility OF the state
going for Bryan, except as a consequence OF
bad neglect on their part, are prepared to
make earnest a contest up the state as
if they were in actual fear of defeat. 1T
is said that the apathy which was rcry
marked in New York early in the cam
pa.gn has now disappeared and the repub-
licans up the state are going to roll up
big majority to overcome anything Croker
can do in the city.
Situation in Illinois.
The situation in New York is almost du-
plicated in Illinois. where it is said the
democrats have better organization than
they have had before In many years. The
doubtful point is Chicago, where the local
machine is in the hands of the democrats
and where the situation is aggravated by
labor troubles. In Illinois, as in New York,
the republicans cannot admit of doubt
that they will hold the state by a strong
majority but the fact of the democrats
being determined and active cOmpels them
to put up as hard a fight If the state
were really close, lest through overconfi-
dence and lack of energy on the part of
republican voters the state should be
thrown away.
In similar fashion they are compelled to
expend much energy in Ohio and Wisconsin.
merely because attacked there though they
have no doubt of the stability and loyalty
Of these states. They dc not believe tic
administration has lost strength to any
dangerous extent in any of these stat"
but they must fight as if it were desperate
case in order to keep the voters from going
II sleep, thus giving the opposition an OPP
portunity to sneak something.
VIII of Carl ROhi-Smith.