Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-25
WHERE BRYAN WILL LOSE
MANY FARMERS WILL LEAVE HIM
q u
FOR MCKINLEY.
Chicago Business Men and Employees
Will Draw From Democrats,
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star

CHICAGO, ILL.,, October D, 1900.
Whatever other, class, may be opposed to
Mckinley, 1t is not the farmer and surely
not the business. man. Out here In the
west the farmer vote is largely for McKin-
ley, and from this great class of producers
democracy drew it's strength four years
ago. The farmer has been convinced With
good crops and better prices than he has
known for years he proceeded to educate
himself along political lines, and there IS
no class Of voters in this country, perhaps,
better qualified to discuss the situation
than the farmer Four years ago many,
many Of them voted for free silver. The
subject furnished so many catchy argu-
ments and the times were so bad that the
farmer was prone to embrace anything that
promised a change. The great work Of the
republican party during that campaign in
educating the voters bore fruit, and the
many thousand dollars spent in circulating
campaign literature have brought the de-
sired result. Free silver today is as dead
with the farmer as it is with the banker.
and the republican national committee con-
fidently look for immense majorities in the
agricultural states for Mckinley.
OF the business men little need be said.
A recent poll Of the business houses of the
city of Chicago showed unmistakable evil
dence that employer and employe alike
were largely for the republican nominees.
Local Conditions.
The labor vote of Chicago is democratic,
and the labor element is a large factor in
the city. This fact was demonstrated only
a little while ago when the Labor day
parade passed up Michigan boulevard. The
route of the procession passed by both ma
tional headquarters, and it was evident
from the cheers that greeted Mr.. Bryan,
how the wage-earner felt politically. De-
mocracy, however, will lose considerable
of its vote by reason of the candidacy of
Debs. Debs will poll large vote of social
lists and anarchists and these are all demo-
Gratis. There will be considerable cutting
of the regular ticket, too. A large number
of Jews are active in promoting the cause
of Alschuler, the democratic candidate for
governor, and l know of a hundred cases
where democrats have promised to vote the
national ticket in consideration of vote
for Alschuler. But Alschuler has no chance.
He is without hope, and the local democra-
cy realize it. Carter Harrison, the mayor
Of Chicago, while he has made several
speeches in the city in the interest of de-
mocracy, is recognized as being lukewarm.
and it is even charged that he is making a
combination which will defeat Alschuler.
1t is argued that the defeat of Alschuler
would mean much to the senatorial as
pirations of the mayor.
The city is waking up politically. Noon
day meetings held each day by both
parties, supplemented by speeches at night,
and augmented one hundred fold by the
curbstone politician, who, mounting a box,
discourses upon the evils of this and that
without really knowing anything about it.
Tho socialists seem to have the best of the
sidewalk argument. They attract large
crowds of workingmen, and their argu-
ments are poured forth each night to the
delight Of the multitude. They call State
street the peoples FORUM" and it Is we'll
named.
Mr.. Lfncoln's observations.
Mr.. Charles P. Lincoln called at republic
can headquarters the other day on his way
to Nebraska. Mr.. Lincoln Is welr known
in Washington. and at one time was deputy
commissioner of pensions, He came to Chi
cago fresh from a stamping tour in Indiana
and brought most encouraging reports from
the hooser state. He said the people are
alive to the Importance of this campaign,
and believed that the vote November 6
would surprise the republicans. Asked
what the position of the old soldier was,
Mr.. Lincoln said: Being a member of
the Grand Army myself and knowing this
entire situation relative to disaffection
among the veterans l have paid particular
attention to it and am free to admit that
not one in a hundred feels disposed to
forsake President Mckinley. The pension
attorneys have been responsible for what
ever bad feeling exists. Failing to secure
an increase in pension for the old soldiers
they have put the responsibility upon Com
missioner Evans. Now, l know that H.
know that he Is friend of the old soldier.
The comrades throughout the United States
I mean those of them who are not versed
in affairs of state-believe that the COM
missioner of pensions personally passes
upon every claim. Now, 1t Is human nature
for a man to put the blame for his defeat
upon some one, and they Immediately jump
to the conclusion that the commissioner of
pensions is responsible for their failure to
obtain a pension. l have tried to bring
this point out In all of my speeches, dwell
ling upon the fact that the commissioner
Of pensions in the nature of things
see but one case in 500 and that he must
rely upon his subordinates Now, every
man, l believe. who has anything to do
with the administration of the pension Of
flee is an old soldier, and it is hardly to
be presumed that the old soldier will work
against a comrade. There was great
tEusiasm among the veterans wherever l
spoke. Many of them know Bryan's record
when he published a paper In the north
west and mercilessly f1ayed the defenders
Of the Union, and they are also familiar
with his record in Congress in voting for
appropriations for the boys who wore the
blue"
Mr.. Lincoln left Chicago Sunday night
for Nebraska