Evening star., 1900-09-27
ARE FOR EXPANSION
People Of Washington Not Afraid Of
Imperialism Bugaboo.
STATE is VERY PROSPEROUS NOW
Mr.. j. Ham. Lewis Still WhistIing
for Courage.
HIS VIEWS ON SITUATION
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.


The redoubtable ]. Hamilton Lewis he
OF the iridescent whiskers and erstwhile
vice presidential boom, is confident that
the state of Washington will give it's cleo
toral vote to the democratic national
ticket. That is, he says he is. Ex-Rep-
resentative Lewis, however, says so many
things representing a hopeless minority
opinion that 1t is very difficult to take him
as seriously as he takes himself He is
man of nimble habit of thought, good
campaigner a successful mixer and a
drawing card on the hustings in his own
state. but he is now engaged in a cam
paign which he himself admits is the most
uphill work he ever undertook
When at the Kansas City convention Mr.
Lewis was asked If there was any possi-
bility of the people of the Pacific coast in
dorsing the anti-expansion views of Mr..
Bryan and his Kansas City platform, Mr.
Lewis then admitted that the people of
Washington al least were nearly al ex-
pansionists. But" he said hopefully 1--WE
must educate them. We will show them
election day comes around they will have
better understanding of the real and dam
gerous meaning of the present imperialistic
course of the present administration.
Mr.. Lewis Embarrassed.
When asked today how his campaign of
education was progressing. Mr.. Lewis
showed some embarrassment, which is
most unusual emotion for that gentleman.
Our people are beginning to think more
seriously in regard to this matter" he
said. We showing them that if the
United States acquires interest in Asia that
1t will not be long before that country
will either take from the United States its
industries or if it does not do that the
cheap labor of that country will be i'm
ported into the United States and have
an equally disastrous effect
A majority of the leading politicians
familiar with local conditions in Washing
ton expect this state to give its electoral
vote to the republican national ticket.
Even in 1896 Bryan only received % per
cent of the total of $1,000 votes, and nearly
all of the counties were very close witt
the exception of certain mining districts
where the silver interests predominate.
There is no senatorial question involved
in the election of the legislature this year,
and the republican party Is united nearly
everywhere a condition which has not pre-
vailed for several years. Free silver and
trusts are the issues which are kept to the
front by the democrats; they talk some
about Imperialism, but ii is only the most
extravagant phases of this question which
appeal in any degree to the voters, and
then only to those who believe they can see
in the present course of the administration
tendency in that direction.
State is Now Prosperous.
industry. Lumber, wool and all the varied
products of a most fertile agricultural re-
gion are bringing good prices and the min
ing industry is flourishing. Four years ago
hundreds of men were out of employment
in every center of population and the de-
preston was felt in every line of business.
This depression was more acute in the
northwest in that year of 1896 than else
where in the United States, for in 1893 had
come the panic, which pricked the boom of
the years preceding, and for three years
prior to the election of 1896 the Puget
Sound country had struggled along with
no end in sight to the distressing condition
which then prevailed.
In addition to the prosperity which has
come to Washington through the natural
resources the Alaskan gold fields have fur
nished an impetus which has brought for
tune to many and good times to nearly all.
Coming and going, the Alaska miners and
adventures leave money in the Puget
Sound cities. Here is the natural base of
supplies for these northern gold fields, which
must always depend upon other places for
nearly every article consumed by thous-
ands of people. and, Notwithstanding such
episodes as that OF the distress at Cape
Nome, there Is no indication but that Alas
ka will continue to be one of the greatest
mining regions in the world. This change
In the condition of the people, as compared
with that of 1896, has had marked effect
upon the political situation. more so than
In the mining states to the east and south
east.
Naturally n Republican State.
Washington is naturally a republican
state. its emigration having come from
states largely republican in their tenden-
cies. Then, again, the industries of Wash
ington are much more concerned with agri-
cultural and commercial interests than they
are with mining. The sheep and cattle
men have never enjoyed greater prosperity
than at present, and the sheep men espe-
attribute n he riff
policy. The numbering interests of the
sound are very large and protected by
the Dingley bill from competition from Ca
madam territory. The commercial interests
of the state are sympathetic with the bank
Ing interests and free silver finds few il
any, advocates among those engaged there
in.
Unless party lines stronger than ap-
pearances would indicate, there Is no state
In the Union which has apparently strong
er reasons for changing it's electoral vote
from the democratic to the republican par
ty this year, and while conservative esti-
mates put Washington in the doubtful COL
umn 1t Is classed by nearly all well-in-
formed politicians in both parties as safely
republican