The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-04
MUCH DOUBTFUL TERRIToRY.


This last table, coupled with the two
preceding it. would make up a Republic
can membership of 1876 and a Democratic
| membership of 144. While the last table
| is believed to be a pretty fair statement
of prospects, it covers a large proportion
| of the doubtful Congressional districts in
| the present campaign. The figures given for
California are the same as for this Con-
gress. Representative De Vries, the only
| Democrat from that State, has been made
appraiser of customs. and it is not
| thought there IS any other Democrat in
| the Second district who can carry it, On
| the other hand the Fourth, or San Fran
cisco district normally Overwhelmingly
Democratic, is now represented by Re-
publican. In the Sixth, or Los Angeles
district, the Republicans have nominated
a new candidate, who is violently opposed
by faction within the party and in the
First district. formally Democratic, Rep
resentative Barham. a strong Republican,
has retired and another Republican has
been nominated. 1T would not be surpris-
ing if the three seats from Idaho. Mon
tana, and Utah were occupied by Republi-
cans in the next Congress, but the ten
denotes are the other way. The same is
true of Colorado, and vice versa of Della
ware.
But should the Republicans gain in the
far West. there are some prospects of
the Democrats gaining two seats in Indi-
ana as Representative Lands, in the
Ninth district. and Representative Over
street, in the Seventh. have hard fights.
But both are popular men, and should
win reelection The Democrats are CIV
en- gain of one in Iowa, as the Republi
cans are inclined to concede that the Sec
ond district, formerly, Democratic and
| largely populated by Germans, will re-
verse the narrow majority of two years
ago. Kentucky now has two Republican
| Congressman, and it might be safe to
count . third one in the next House. as
| a combination is planned in the Fifth, or
Louisville district. which may defeat a
Democrat. Representative Pugh. in the
Ninth, barely escaped defeat two years
ago, ard at best bis district is doubtful
| this year. Kansas may send a solid Re-
publican delegation. and some claim that
Missouri this year should have five Re-
publicans instead of three, two more com
| ing from the Fourth and Fifteenth dis
| tricts This is not very probable from
| all REPORTS to date.
IN MARYLAND AND w. VIRGINIA.
Maryland and West Virginia are given
| only three Republican members in the
| table, which would be Representative Do
veneer, of West Virginia. and Pearre and
| Mudd. of Maryland There are three
Maryland districts figured as Democratic
which ere close and doubtful. but if the
| Gold Democrats vote with the regular or
l o;,ot dc
| that all these will be against the Republi-
cans after March next. This week some
careful inquiries will be made with the
| Gold Democrats of Maryland principally
in Baltimore. where the three districts,
two now represented by Republicans, are
chiefly located! The Second and Fourth
West Virginia districts will be close bat
tie grounds, but the Second is more prob
ably Republican than the Fourth.
The strong anti-imperialst sentiment in
| Boston ought to keep the two Congress
sional districts there Democratic. only
one of them being doubtful in ordinary
| campaigns. The Worcester, Mass, dis
| trict will probably be reclaimed by the
Republicans. Michigan has two or three
| Congressional fights. and it is hardly to
| be supposed that the delegation be
| kept solid in another congress. Ohio is
given a gain of one Republican. because
| in the Third district there is much Demo-
| cratic dissension. and the district was
very close two years ago. Nebraska, New
| Jersey, South Dakota. and Tennessee are
given tie same representation as in the
| House. Wisconsin is given a gain of two
| for the Democrats. for while the Republi-
cans are contesting like grim death they
recognize that the Second and Fourth
| districts-one in Milwaukee and the other
| including the city Of Madison-are almost
certain to be Democratic this year.
| MUCH DEPENDS ON THREE STATES.
Still another table is given to complete
the total of States and to illustrate how
uncertain is the complexion of the next
House. The figures below show the pres
ent membership Of Democrats and Re
pubicaDs: