Evening star., 1900-10-12
The Coal Strike, It is Believed, is
Hurting Bryan's Chances.
DEMOCRATS ADMIT MAKING MISTAKE
Pleased With Harrison's Attitude
on the Porto Rican Act.
DIVISION OFTHE LABOR VOTE

When the strike started in the coal re-
gions the common theory among politicians
was that the natural tendency Of a strike
on such a large scale would be to help
| Bryan, If 1t had any influence at all upon
| the politics of the country. Just the con-
trary now appears to have been the case.
The strike itself has thus far been kept out
| of politics and the belief is expressed that
| 1t will continue to keep out but 1t is be-
leved that some influence has been 'exer-
! cised upon the political conditions in
way that was not generally thought of at
| first. The indications, it is said, are that
a great many men representing substantial
business interests who were inclined to
vote for Bryan and to lend him such other
assistance as they could, because they were
not satisfied with the policy of the admins
tration or did not like Mr.. Hanna or some
thing of that sort, were Influenced by the
strike to reconsider their determination.
The general theory upon which such men
were inclined to support Bryan was that
conditions were such that the change of
admnistra ton could be made without risk
| to any material interests, there being no
possibility of silver legislation and the pros
porous condition of the country rendered
industrial and business disturbances unlike
ly The sudden outbreak of an industrial
conflict on rather a large scale. 1T Is said.
was forceful reminder to such as fndulged
in this theory that even in prosperous times
discomfort may manifest itself and that any
thing calculated to excite discomfort and
arouse class prejudice must be avoided. AS
a consequence of the coal strike therefore.
it is said, many men who were not we'll
disposed toward the administration have de-
cided that they cannot afford to lend their
aid in bringing about Industrial disorder.
Claiming Too Much for Bryan.
Some of the long headed democrats have
come to the conclusion that a mistake has
been made in claiming too strongly that
Bryan is going to carry certain states in
which they are making a special effort. They
think it would have been better to have
been a little more quiet about it, so as not
to excite the apprehension of the repubn-
can managers, and especially those republic
can voters who were apathetic on account
Of overconfidence The result of too broad
claims for Bryan being made is that repub-
lcans who were more or less INDIFFERENT
about the election, having no doubt that it
would go all right without any special ef-
fort on their part, have become thoroughly
aroused, and the apathy which at first gave
the republican national committee some
alarm has disappeared 1t is said that even
at this late hour an effort will be made to
correct this error, and that there VIII be
more conservative talk by democrats as
rule during the rest of the campaign, the
cue being to sound note of warning
against the immense corruption funds
and frauds at the polls which it will be
claimed threaten democratic success.
Mr.. Harrison on Porto Rico.
Though the republicans are. of course
delighted at the clear reasoning of ex-
President Harrison in his statement of why
Mckinley should be reelected, notwith-
standing any differences of opinion there
may be as to the policy with reference to
our island possessions, the democrats ex-
oil hnn vAtn ga6 a.
the reiteration by Mr.. Harrison of his dis
approval of the Porto Rican tariff act.
They contend that the expression of opin-
ion by him that this tariff act was a grave
departure from right principles must ap
peal to many as a justification for their
contention that the administration has
adopted policy of ''imperialism." The op
position to the Porto Rican tariff was how
ever, strongly expressed by many republi-
cans during the tendency of the measure
In Congress, but republican managers be-
lieve that like Mr.. Harrison. those who
did not approve of this one act will stand
by the administration on general principles
They believe that Mr.. Harrison's example
in strongly favoring Mckinley's election,
while occupying an extreme view as to the
constitutionaity of the Porto Rican act
will be respected by all republicans in sim
liar position.
Bryan and the Labor Vote.
Neither party has been able, according to
the best available advices, to determine to
the satisfaction of the party managers how
the so-caled labor vote is going to divide
at this election. The general opinion in '96
was that the labor vote was largely against
Bryan. This year 1t is conceded that he
may get a larger proportion than he then
did, but republicans claim that Mckinley
will still have the advantage in the general
division. On the other hand, 1t is said that
whatever gains Bryan may make among
the foreign labor element will be more than
compensated for by the farmer vote which
may be counted on as unusually strong In
republican sentiment this year.