Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-20
REPUBLICAN lETHARGY
HARD TO ROUSE MEN TO BELIEVE
THERE Is DANGER OF DEFEAT.
Chairman Babcock to Come Here
Next Week to Consult Mr.
LOudenslaGer.

Chairman Babcock Of the republican con-
gressional campaign committee Will be In
Washington some time next week. Ne Is
now in the east and will come here to con-
suit Representative Loudensager. in
charge Of the eastern headquarters of the
committee. concerning the outlook in this
part of the country.
1t il understood that the preliminary re-
ports which have reached the republican
managers from their lieutenants in the field
are OF almost uniform tenor in urging the
necessity Of arousing republicans from the
state Of lseharsy which seems to chsrac-
terize the political situation at this time
Republican managers recall the fact that
the condition 10 much the same as pre-
vailed in 1892. Then It was dtfncult to get
contributions Tor campaign purposes. II was
hard to arouse republicans 70 the need
of an active campaign and it subsequently
proved impossible to shake the republicans
up until the democratic landslide gave them
a Jolt.
One Representatfve's Experience.
A republican representative who was &C
tive in the campaign OF 1892 said today IN
conversation with a Star reporter that he
recalled the experience he had in his own
section. Through the means OF his own
agents. who were mingling with the work
ingmen. he learned Of the dissatisfaction
apathy manifested IN others. and he be-
came alarmed at the outlook. He visited
manufacturers and employers OF labor. and
told them Of the prospective revolt OF for
mer republican voters. They would not be-
lieve it, however, and answered that the
men were getting the highest wages they
had received for years. were kept working
full time. and II was incredible to suppose
that. in the circumstances. such men would
desert the republican party. The employ
would not bring themselves to believe.
either. that II was necessary TO contribute
to the campaign fund
After the severe experience OF 1Sy2. the
republicans learned a lesson which lasted
them for some time. In 1894 the work was
easier for the managers, and In 1896 the
rank and file Of the party seemed to be
falling over each other In their desire to
contribute money or effort to the republi-
can cause and stamp out free silver
The willingness with which the republ-
cans take of their coats. put their shout
ders to the wheel or go down into their
pockets to help the cause when they think
1t is endangered makes all the more nota-
BILE the present state Of indifference. 1t in
dicates to the leaders that the republicans
have been lulled into a false sense Of Sc
curity by good times, from which they are
likely, 1t is feared, to be rudely awakened
by another democratic landslide II they do
not get their eyes open in time
Leaders See the Danger.
1t is true that in 1892 even the leaders
were somewhat blinded by what seemed to
be the bright republican prospects. based
upon ordinary reason. They themselves
were in a measure lax. depending upon good
times and plenty Of work to pull them
through This year. however. the leaders
are wide awake. and do not propose to lose
any votes through neglect upon their part.
In this respect therefore. 1900 has
slight advantage over 1892, from the repub-
lican viewpoint. but the managers admit
that they will have to do deal of shouting
to arouse the party to the dangers which
they perceive so plainly.