The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-01
CONFIDENT OF KENTUCKY
Democrats Give Figures to Sup.
port Their Claims.
The Stnte Snfd to BE Safe for Bryan
by mt Least 10000 Probability
nehind the Electoral TicLct-Thc
Assertions OF Republicans Vague.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Oct. 31-To Judge
from appearances in the State of Ken
lucky. and especially here in this city,
one would suppose that Beckham ana
Yerkes were running for the office of
President of the United States, while
Bryan and Mckinley might be rival con-
didates for constable. That at least is
the way the politicians seem to view the
relative Importance of their favorites.
Politics in Kentucky is in great confusion
and every possible combination is being
made with view to the election of the
person most favored by the respective
groups of voters. The election in this
State is confined to Presidential electors,
Congressman, and Governor.
At the outset it seems to new arrival
almost impossible to get at an approx
mate estimate of the relative strength OF
the two parties The Democrats claim
roughly majority of from 5000 to $4,000,
while the Republicans confidently predict
q majority on their side of 0,G00 or H.
000 1t is only after conversation with
many men from the various sections OF
the State that reasonable forecast of the
result can be made.
At the Republican headquarters no fig
ures are being given out either on coun-
ties, Congressional districts. or on the
State rs a whole. They will only say that
they expect to carry the State for Mckin-
ley ard Yerkes by safe majorities, and
that they will elect Republican Represen-
tatives in majority Of the Congressional
districts.
At the Democratic committee head
quarters, on the other hand. the election
of the Bryan electors by more than 1s,-
GOO is confidently claimed, it being con-
ceded that Beckham will run some 4,OoO
behind that figure. After careful review
of the situation and comparison OF esti-
mates with Democrats present represent
Ing different sections of the State, MI
Gus Richardson, one of the secretaries,
an unusually well posted and conservative
man, this morning submitted the follow
ing as about the relative status of the
two parties:
BRYAN majorities-First district, 1900;
Second district. s.CG0: Third district, soc;
Fourth district 3,iC0: Sixth district. 5000;
Seventh district. 3.1e0; Eighth district,
500; Ninth district, see; Tenth district,
1000. Total. S5,20e.
Mckinley majority-EIeyenth district,
1900.
Close and uncertain-Fffth district.
Bryan's majority in the State, 1s,2oo
1t is generally understood that Nj. BECK
ham will run further behind the head OF
the ticket in this city than in any other
district of the State. and his friends con-
cede a majority 10 Yerkes mere of $500
votes, while the Yerkes men seem to be
confident of securing majority in the city
Of from s,c00 to 10000.
So far as the Presidential vote in the
State is concerned, upon enquiry and in
vestigation a majority for Bryan of 10000
at least seems positively assured. Great
gains have been made among the Gold
Democrats who opposed him in 1886. There
is a large German vote here which was
almost solid for Mckinley in 1926. A very
large per cent OF this vote viii be cast
for Mr.. Bryan this year this making
a difference of from $500 to 5000 in this
city alone In the section OF the city where
the German population is most numerous
nine of Bryan's pictures may be seen in
the windows to enc Of his adversary. when
four years ago pictures of Mckinley
seemed exclusively to adoTn the house
fronts and indicate the political sentiments
Of the residents.
On the other hand. the factional dissen-
sion in the party of last year will cost Bry
an some votes. Opponents of Beckham
who formerly supported Bryan will vote
against him on account, as they say, of
his interference in local affairs. But this
will be relatively only a small percentage.
Again. jealous supporters Of Beckham
would, il necessary, sacrifice Bryan's for
tunes to secure the election Of their choice
for Governor As an example Of this four
of his friends were discussing the situ-
alton this morning, when the sentiment
was expressed, and concurred in by ALL
that as an alternative between the defeat
Of Bryan and of Beckham, the former was
to be preferred. Again, three friends of
Beckham were talking politics, when it
was suggested by one, and assented to by
one of the others, that il they could each
secure the pledge of Republican vote
5- khan they would vote for Mckinley
% ange. Fortunately for Mr.. Bryan,
i'll be few exchanges Of this char
IS appearances are altogether de-
Mr.. Bryan's majority cannot fall
10000 and may reach much higher
=. Democrats are assured Of success in
Csas essional contests in the First, Sec
Fourth, Sixth. Seventh, and Tenth |
cts. In the Third the race will be |
close, both candidates being Bryan mes.
In the Fifth the Republicans are making !
extravagant claims for their Congressional |
candidate. but Judge Gregory, the Demo- |
crat. is making a game fight, and his |
friends claim that he Will win, notwith- |
standing the detection In the gubernato- |
rial contest. in the Eighth and Ninth the !
vote will be loo close for comfort, but |
the Democrats are confident of success in
both districts. The Eleventh will, of
course, elect a Republican by ifs usual, or
perhaps unusual majority. \. T c.