The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-29
Chairman Babcock to Direct His Cam
paign Lfeutenants from
the Windy City.
HARD FIGHT IS EXPECTED
BUT HE IS NOT APPREHENSIvE OF
THE OUTCOME IN NOVEMBER.
Woodruff still Foremost Candidate I'm
the East for the Vice Pres
fdentiaI Nomination.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, May 2S.-Chairman Bab-
cock. of the Republican congressional COM
mittee, will open headquarters in Chicago
about June Is. Heretofore the headquar-
ters of this committee have been in Wash
ington. The change is distinct recogni-
tion of the fact that the battle ground for
the control of the national House of Repre-
sentatives will be determined in the States
of the middle West. The Importance of
these States in deciding national political
contests was recognized four years ago by
the managers Of the two great parties. The
Democrats had their headquarters in Chi
cago. while the Republicans maintained a
branch there. But the congressional cam
paign committees Of both parties kept their
headquarters here at the national capital.
The Democrats are much more hopeful
of carrying the lower house of Congress
than they are of electing the presidential
candidate. The Republicans had the House
in this Congress by narrow majority, and
Mr.. Babcock and the other managers of the
party realize that If the Republicans are
to retain control of the House they must
hold their own or make gains in the West.
They think they can hold their own In the
East easier than in the West, though there
are a number of districts in this section
that will require careful attention If they
are to be held for that party. This is es-
pecially true of Maryland. New Jersey and
New York In these States, as well as in
the Western, there are number of dis
tricts where the successful candidates two
years ago had majorities ranging from 200
4 fr,1 fv.< faI 80 (NT
course Chairman Babcock and the men,
bers of the committee disclaim any appre-
hension of the result Of the congressional
elections this fall. but they know and do
not hesitate to admit that they will have
to fight hard for victory. These considera-
tions have led them to the conclusion that
they can make a winning campaign better
from Chicago than from Washington.
After a swing around the circle in search
of a vice presidential candidate the Re-
publican leaders have once more turned to
New York. They feel that the electoral
votes of the Empire State. even If not
necessary to success, yet are too important
to be neglected. Governor Roosevelt. Sec
retary Root and ex-Secretary Bliss have
all been mentioned only to declare them
selves out of it. The friends of Lieutenant
Governor Woodruff are urging his candi-
dacy, and it Is a noticeable fact that he
is the only New Yorker for whom dele
gates to the Philadelphia convention have
been instructed. His friends further insist
that the New York leaders can agree on
him and that If nominated he would arouse
great enthusiasm among the younger ee-
ment Of voters. They claim he is thou
,1s of e<- L.
any other New Yorker who could be named.
1t looks now that unless the New York
leaders unite on Woodruff there will be a
lively fight in the convention between a
dozen candidates for the vice presidency.
Secretary Long has been talked of a great
deal, but his connection with the Sampson
Schley controversy would weaken the
ticket in Maryland If he were named for
second place, where with another man it
is felt the Republicans have a fair chance
OF getting its electoral vote. Senator Fair
banks has been mentioned good deal late
ly by the Eastern press. but the objection
is made that Indiana adjoins Ohio. Senator
Spooner has also been mentioned, but Wis
consin belongs TO the middle West as well
as Ohio. Governor Shaw and Representa-
tive Dolliver, of Iowa, are both favorably
referred to, but they also come from al
most the same section as President Nc
Kinley. Postmaster General Smith Is
doomed by some of the Republican news
papers Of Pennsylvania, but he is identified
with one Of the factions of the keystone
State and is not likely to be taken. These
facts give Woodruff's New York friends
much hope. They do not hesitate to pre-
dict that If he is nominated the Empire
State will surely be found in the Republic
an column on election day.