Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-24
Politicians Are Already Marshaling
Their Forces for Coming Contest.
DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION TO BRYAN
Republicans Are a Unit for Mr..
MckinIey's denomination.
PROSPECTS OF CONGREsSM EN-

The political battles always open earlier
in Indiana than in any other state, and
when once opened they rage steadily until
the polls close, with all the forces the
firing line. The war is practically in
the hoosier state and the forces are lining
up. Both the great parties always reor-
ganize their committees in January of the
political year They thus early select the
men who are to organize and conduct the
campaign that they may get fairly into the
harness and know the ground before the
tickets named. There is another pecu-
liarity about political campaigns in In
diana. and that is the great element of
| doubt which always exists until the ballots
arc counted. and when that element is con-
sidered i'll connection with the perfect and
| abs olutc confidence always displayed in
both parties. by rot Only the leaders, but
the rank and file. it is quite amusing.
Since 1864 there has not been "a political
| campaign in the state in which this element
of Goubt did not exist, with the single eX-
ccpton of the race of Grant against Gree
ley in 1872. In that year it was evident,
very early in the campaign, the the democ'
rGcy would not swallow Greeley. The state
election was then held in October, and the
democrats divided hoLors with the repub-
| leans taking the governor and the super
ntendent of pubic instruction, while the
| republicans got the lieutenant governor and
the other state officers. but Grant, in No
vember, carried the state by more than
c".6oG. The result in other states may be
definitely counted on, but in Indiana never
| This year will be exception to the ruiz.
| and it matters not how many confident
statements may be sent out by the leaders
The result will be a toss-up.
Indiana is Very Prosperous.
OF all the states, Indiana, perhaps, has
enjoyed the greatest season of prosperity
She has had no Idle factories, nor idle men,
for more than two years; she has been re-
markedly free from strikes; she has har
vested enorrAOus crops; she has been free
from calamities of every kind, she has de-
veloped sources of material wealth.
has grown largely il, population and i'll
manufacturing industries, and while, as L
rule. such Il condition Gf affairs works TO
the benefit of the party in power, the po-
li1ical skies are not altogether clear OF
clouds. If the election were to be held this
month. it would be as likely to go one way
as the other, and this doubt will continue
until tn close o. election day.
There some things, however. that
may be predicted with reasonable certainly.
1t may be considered almost certain that
all the present congressional delegation will
be rcnominated. and, the chances are, Will
be elected Some of the present repre-
scntatiyes, however, will have to make
fight for their nomination. Two years ego
Mr.. Hemenway met with considerable OPP
position and the same element of opposi-
ton made its appearance month or so
ago, but unless something now unforeseen
turns up he will be rcnominated without
struggle. This does not betcken absolute
satisfaction with him in his district. but
that the dissatisfaction is not strong enough
to make much Roadway. An effort is being
made to unite the democrats and the pop
uiists against him, but even should the
combination be made, his chances for cleo
ton are excellent.
Mr.. Mcrs is having hard fight in his
district. He has never been great favor
lite with his party, but was nominated the
first time by accident than design
10 of he st
the district is fighting him bitterly and
charging that he was nominated the frst
time by fraud. He is not charged with be-
ing party to the fraud but only as hav-
ing enjoyed its results. Just at this time
the opposition is not strong enough to de-
feat his nomination, but it may develop
greater strength before the conventions; hut
the chances are in his favor. Mr. Zcror
will be renominated without opposition. lie
is personally very strong in his district,
| and has the reputation among the people OF
looking after their interests Several gen.
tlemen of the district would like to have
his seat. but they are afraid to try concl
sions with him.
Hard Fight In Fourth District.
The hardest fight will be in the fourth
district, now represented by Mr.. Griffith
He got his nomination four years ago after
a hot struggle, and has never been salts |
factory to the people. Two years ago an
effort was made to defeat him. but it failed. |
This year it has some promise of success. |
His chief opponent is John Overmeyer, who,
up to 1892 was an active republican, and held |
several places of honor in that party He |
was originally of the strongest of high |;
tariff men, but, 1t Is said, was suddenly |
converted on the failure to receive APP
pointment under President Harrison He |
had been a delegate to the convention !
which nominated Harrison, and felt that |
his services on that occasion deserved rec |
ognition. He was an original Gresham |
man, but was under the instructions of his |
constituency to vote for Harrison. The |
possibilities are that he followed his old |
leader. Gresham, into the democratic party |
for love of him He is making a strong and
active canvass for the congressional race,
and is receiving much encouragement, al
though most of the democratic papers of
his district bitterly oppose him. He may
defeat of Griffith.
Mr. Faris will also have a fight in his lis
trict but will be able to land the prize at
the convention, but his election is by no
means so certain. His plurality two years ago
was only 252, and there was quite factional
fight On him in his district, and he has been
more or less mixed up in it. y. Overstreet !
will hardly have any opposition in the con-
vention. nor will Mr.. Cromer Mr.. Lands, |
however. will again have, to fight for the
nomination There has been a strong effort
made to switch him off to the race for gov
elnor. but he will not consent. In this he
is wise, for his nomination for that place
would be extremely problematlcal and his
election uncertain, while his nomination
and election to his present place is practi-
cally assured.
No Opposition to Mr.. Crnmpacker.
Mr.. Crumpacker will have no opposition.
At every recurring campaign an effort is
made to strase an opposition to Mr.. Steele,
and sometimes before the convention meets
it takes considerable strength and looks
as if 1t would prove formidable enough to
compass his overthrow, but by convention
time it dwndles down until he has prac-
tically walk-over. 1t will be the same
this year. Robinson and Brick will be re-
nominated without opposition, and being re-
nominated. will be Reelected. The only
one in real danger of being defeated for
a denomination is Mr.. Miers, and the only
one in danger of being defeated at the
polls is MIR Faris -
The feeling between Senators Fairbanks
and Beveridge is lkelysto breed trouble in
the race for governor. They both live In
Indianapolis. They both are aspiring, and
both are anxious to be looked upon as the
real leader of the party. indianapolis has
a candidate for governor in John L. Grif-
fiths. He is, perhaps the strongest cam
atrt,N lea