The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-05
THE GERMAN VOTE MAY DECIDE THE
GREAT CONTEST OF THIS YEAR
There Are Nearly Two and Half Millions Of
J. People Born in the "Fatherand,'' or De-
scendants of German Parents, Who
Will Cast Their Ballots at Next
Falls Election.
Special Dispatch to The Timeso

iSIeCldl 1SlSitaltii " Liz Ai'iiS7't
WASHINGTON. August 4.-Washington
is the great political exchange Of the Unit
ed States. The leading politicians from
every State may be sem here at the no
tells and committee rooms They come
fresh from The campaign at home and full
of ii, and a clearer view OF the entire line
of battle can be had here than from any
other point In the Union. OF course, Re-
publicans and Democrats each claim lhat
their party will win. Many OF the leading
Republicans-Mark Hanna for one-admit
that the contest will be close, and that the
fight Will require every effort mat 'ue
Republicans can put forth
On the other hand, IL is evident that the
Democrats viii make fight, not without
hope, In nearly every State In the Union
Mcllinley's 6a04o0 plurality does not dis
Iirit them, for now the Republicans are
everywhere on the defensive They are
meeting the anti-imperialism cry by say
ing Imperialism is a myth. a buSaboo
They are Joining in the outcry against the
trusts In spite of the fact that the ma
iority of the trusts are obviously the ere
alton of Republican legislation. They can
not hope to win converts on an issue which
i they saw does not exist, or on one con-
corning which they say that there is no
difference of opinion Between the parties
On the silver fight and on the tariff. aside
from the trusts, they can hope for nothing
better than TO hold their own. The Re
pubncans cannot look 10 any class With
hone of getting from IL votes that did not
support their ticket In 1896.
No CHANGE OF VIEWS.
On the other hand, 1t is unquestionably
true that the Cola Democrats who refused
TO support bryan in 1896 are in large num-
hers returning to their party. A large
bal f1y n 5orifV-0f them will
support Bryan.
This does not necessarily imply change
in their views. They may consider 1t a
choice between evils. but they consider
Observation-Disclosures as it is to-day
as a greater evil than any that threatens
through the success of the Democraoc
candidate.
i, is also unuuestionably true that a
large number OF the German voters have
been driven from the Republican party
through their fear of imperialism. OF course
the claim that the Gernan-Americans are
coming ever in body 10 the support OF
the Democratic ticket is absurd: but no
one denies the assertion that a vast num-
Der Of them who supported Mckinney IN
1886 will support Bryan IN 1900.
II is impossible to state the number OF
Gold Democrats who supported Mckinley
or remained away from the polls in 1896
but very close estimate may be made OF
the German vote of the different States.
The large majority of immigrants are males
and the vast majority OF these are more
than % years old. In 1880 there were in
round numbers 1.2so.nao males in the
United States. more than q years old, who
mere born IN Germany. and assuming that
one-nff.I OF the children OF German parents
were voters. there were 60o.Goo voters
svl,osa parents were both born in Germany
and 2raaa1 others with one parent born in
tina, country. The number Of voters born
in Germany Is practically the same now
as In 1890 for the immIgrants-that portion
OF 1t long enough IN the country to become
natura.ized-and the number coming OF age
during the past decade Will about replace
xhs number OF Ger,nan-born voters who
have died. Il IS safe to say that the num-
ser Of voters Of German descent have In
creased 20 per cent. since 1880. carrying
/ fhe number OF pure German parentege to
e.ppo, and with one parent born In Ger.
many to $4,000, and WITH the NATIVES OF
{ germany making about 2.325. 900 n all.
THE GERMAN VOTE
Tho following table shows the d!stribu-s
don Of these among the States. With the
number Of voters necessary to be changed
/ epum ne support Of the Republican ticket
. AAe fbADouocSAtic candidate - caE.I