Evening star., 1900-10-12
Change in Political Conditions in the
Windy City.
REPUBLICAN, LEADERS CONFlLE IT
Detection Of Col. Campbell, a Life
Long Democrat.
WHERE M'KINLEY WILL GAIN

Mr.. Walter H. Chamberlsn assistant
commissioner of patents has been in Chi
cago for the last three or four days hav-
ing gone there to attend the Patent Law
Association banquet. given on the occasion
Of their annual meeting. He had excellent
opportunities for informing himself on the
political situation in the country at large.
He has returned and gave his views to a
Star reporter concerning the political out
look.
-Four weeks ago 1 was in Chicago, and
went back again last Tuesday to regis
ter" said Mr.. Chamberlin. I'm the inte-
rim the greatest change imaginable has
taken place in and about Chicago. Four
weeks ago the business men were scared,
the republican politicians doubtful, the de-
mocrats 5ubtlant, and there was an uncer-
tainty In the air which was anything but
inspiring. Today the situation has changed.
Beginning with the magnificent speech of
ex-Controller of the Currency Eckels, the
sound money business men have commenced
| to bestir themselves and are holding
meetings in the stock yards and other CEN
ters of Industrial activity with such speak
ers as Gen. John c. Black, who COM
missioner of pensions under Cleveland.
Joseph Beifeld and many other lifelong
democrats. The polls of Cook county
and the state satisfy the managers that
Illinois will give at least 1900 republican
| majority and at national headquarters
there is air of confidence that speaks
louder than words and is in direct con-
trast to their feelings a month ago.
kansas has been moved from the doubt
full column to sure republican, and 1 was
informed by a gentleman connected with
| the headquarters, who is in thorough touch
with Missouri, that the republicans would
carry the state.
Detection of Col. Campbell.
mo more significant event has transpired
in the Illinois campaign, far as In
fiuencing the doubling voters is concerned,
than the accession to republicanism of
Lieut.. Col. James r. Campbell Of the Both
Volunteer Infantry, who is home on leave
of absence from the Philippines. Col
Campbell has always been a rock-ribbed
democrat, and four years ago he was
elected to Congress from Illinois by the
Bryanites, but resigned his seat to raise a
regiment for the Spanish war. Based on
his experience in the Philippines, he says he
can have nothing more to do with a po-
ltical party which is melting the Ffipinos
to shoot his soldiers. His stand and his
speeches are having tremendous influence
on the voters of southern Illinois, where
Organism is strongest in the state.
Another striking feature of the cam
paign in Illinois is the magnificent success
of Charles G. Dawes. controller of the cur
rency. as a public speaker. Prior to the
campaign of 1896 Mr. Dawes was practi-
cally unknown in the state, and in that
campaign he made only one or two speeches
tive committee preventing his going outside.
This summer. at the request of the state
central committee, he agreed to make q
few speeches in the state. He began about
thirty days ago, and drew such large
audiences, and made such a splendid in
preston. that his services at once sprung
into demand, and today he has every date
filled between now and election day He is
not a spellbinder. but he is well equip
ped, through close study, with the knowl-
edge of political and industrial conditions,
that he is enabled to present to his
audiences arguments that appeal to them
This, coupled with his earnest and
vincing manner Of speaking. makes him
power wherever he has spoken.
Socialists and Democrats at Odds.
IAN amusing Incident. illustrating the at
titude of the socialistic or Debs voters in
illinois and Indiana, occurred last Sunday
evening on the lake front in Chicago. A
crowd of perhaps 200 socialists were hold
ing meeting in the open air, and were be-
ing urged to support Debs for President
when half a dozen Bryan men formed a
wedge and forced themselves into the crowd
toward the speaker. shouting vociferously
for Bryan. Thereupon, about one-third OF
the crowd ranged themselves with the
Bryan men and the other two-thirds began
to shout for Debs. The meeting was broken
up and fight was only averted by the in
reference of the police. The incident is
significant when We consider that four
years ago these elements worked together.
McKinley's Gains.
I'm my opinion, Mckinley will receive the
271 electoral votes that he received four
years ago, with the possible exception Of
Kentucky's twelve, and in addition. he will
have one more from California, ten from
Kansas, eight from Maryland. four from
South Dakota and four from Washington,
with the chances in favor of seventeen from
Missouri and thirteen from Kentucky In
other words, l believe that the climax Of
Bryan
ago, and that from now until election day
the pendulum will swing the other way
with the result that. If the present hard
work by the republicans is continued, there
will be republican landslide
Naval Orders.