New-York tribune., 1900-09-08
BRYAN LOSING IN INDIANA
"RorGH RIDER" CLUBS CREATE EN-
THJrsTAsM SURE TO CARRY THE
STATE FOR MKINLEY.

Indianapolis Sept (SpeclsD-The formal open
ing Of the Democratic campaign and the prelm-
inarv work incident to Il have been somewhat as
appointing to the party leaders Nevertneiess tney
are preparing for aggressive campaign tnouBh
admitting that there is little prospect OF awaken
ing that measure of interest which characterized
the struggle four years ago.
The dif1culties Of the situation have become
manifest in a painful degree by the efforts TO form
campaign clubs. So discourasing has been the
outlook that the work has been parcelled out 70
the county chairmen, and what has heretoiore
been spontaneous organization on the part OF the
rank and file must now be worked up through tne
party machinery When Mr.. Bryan was here and
the question of holding a National convention OF
Democratic clubs here this week was under consid-
Grafton. the local leaders canddly confessed tnat
Indiana would not be able TO make any show un-
less more time was given to organization. IL. was
assumed that a month would be sufficient. and the
date OF the meeting was changed to OCTOBER An
appeal was issued to the voters to form clubs but
August passed away without any appreciable re-
sponse to the appeal. Then IT was that the party
managers decided TO make the organization OF
clubs a part OF the campaign work. and the county
chairmen were Instructed to enter upon 1t at once
While the Republicans admit that there is not 30
much interest In the campaign as they would IKE
to see, and have made appeals TO the business
element Of the party by pointing out the dangers
that may result from lack Of Interest they see
a pleasing contrast between the conditions that
distress the Democrats and those that exist IN
their own party in respect TO local organization
With the nomination OF the Republican National
ticket nearly every county In the state began the
organization of rough rider" clubs or companies,
as they are called and popular has this kind OF
organization become that there is not county in
Indiana without one or more Of these clubs In
some counties every township has organized a
rough rider company. and these companies have
been organized into regiment. with officers corre-
spondfng to regular military organizations. Some
of these companies present a spectacular appear
ance the members being uniformed and well
mounted. and their parades exhibiting the evolu-
tions of regular cavalry companies. In Elkhart
County regiment has been formed IN which all
the horses are black and Of the finest breeds. 1t is
said be of the finest campaign organizations
that ever existed.
WINNING MANY YOUNG DEMOCRATS.
The Republicans are already reapng the fruits OF
this system of organization both in the enthusiasm
IL has engendered among the Republican. masses
and I'm the effect II Is having upon the younger
class of Democrats OF the State. The latter are
naturally susceptible influence which Is typical
of the military spirit of the country, and the
rough rider system of organization is appealing
to them In a way that could not be accomplished
by the old time club system. Reports to Repuo-
lcan headquarters show that many young Demo-
Gratis. men who will their first votes at the
coming election, and who the sons OF Demo-
Gratis or who have been heretofore identified with
Democrats in their social relations. are becoming
members of the rough rider companies ana are are
thus being placed under the inf9ences that WI
result in giving their votes 10 the Republican state
and National tickets. -, -
cratic Campaign by the dissatisfaction that mas re-
suited among the PopUlists over the placing OF
Stevenson upon the ticket with Bryan and II IL
admired that there will be loss to the party on
account Of it, Just what this loss VIII amount
TO cannot be approximately stated now, LOT
the sentiment has sufficiently crysJalllzed
to determine how far IL has reached, put II II
known 10 be considerable. The leaders say tnat
the Fusion Populists have no one else 10 suppoIt
except BRYAN, and that the loss cannot dhoiIh-
to great deal. but when it is suggested thdL NC
KinIey carried the State by 1S.Un when the Fopu
lists Democrats were united, II Is duIiltteI
that any detection may have a bad efreet IN
November The PopuSts declare that the acJSn
of the Democratic managers against the SILVER re
publicans and Fusion POpulists by whlch tne Two
allies were debarred from taking any part IN t!e
BRYAN notification ceremonies, has had an enect
quite as had che placing of stevenson upon Tue
ticket. ,,.;..,
reason whatever for discourage cement; i ne paILiiS
headduarters are constantly 5thropsed oy Ftepuo!i-
cans from the out counties, and all the reports
received indicate that the masses are IN me anu
that there will he falling on IN the fsepuo
y-ofe 'Tbey that of the Democrats VINO
turned to the fold but many OF those VINO secEeIyS
voted for Mckinley now openly for MN anu
that these additions the party more tnan COM
nensate for all possible losses. They point 90
number Of notable conversions, and say thdI theSe
men who are admitted even by Democrats 10
active part in the campaign for Mckinley: .
II is also pointed out nealthy sign lot tne
Republicans that the business men throughout tne
State are beginning to take more interest," IN the
campaign and there indications that THIS class
will soon be $ active as IT was four years ago.