The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-25
speeIaI to he Washington rp.,.

Special to The Washington Post
Chicago. Sept. 2.-Reports OF canvass
ing for the polls of the two great parties
disclose curious feature. and one which
puzzles the managers more than a little.
1t Is the great number OF non-committal
citizens encountered everywhere. Can
vassers find them either silent or else
given to ambiguous expressions, open tn
any construction. From the number OF
reports Of this Kind being received By
local committeeman and passed up 20
headquarters 1t would appear that this
non-committal element easily holds the
balance OF power in all the debatable
States. II is the doubtful factor in the
situation. II Is the one thing which gives
the Democrats hope.
AZ the Democratic headquarters an easy
confidence exists among the optimists
there that the non-committal citizens are
all going to vote for Bryan. and that
their silence is indisputable evidence OF
protest against the Mckinley administra-
ten and what II stands for
The line OF reasoning INDUCED In by
Chairman Hanna and clear down TO his
corps Of lientenants Is entirely different
and leads to diametrically opposite CON
clusions. They theorIZe that the voters
have made up their minds for themselves.
and do not care 20 bother about politics
or submit to the impertinence of political
eonyassers. and that they have decided
not TO make change. They find Il easy
to satisfy themselves that this idea IS
founded on sound common sense and logic.
and that the great masses of people who
are enjoying the visible evidences OF gen
erai and enlarged prosperity, with good
times still ahead and In plain sight. will
not vote for a new order of things or lend
their influence TO a new departure In ex-
perimental and possibly dangerous fields.
lhey Dank heavily on the human instinct
to let well enough alone
At the same time. Chairman Hanna
does not propose 10 leave anything 10
chance which can be provided for through
the party organization. Under his direc-
ton the entire tremendous energy OF the
organization is being directed to the sin
gle end of getting out the vote on election
day and all plans are being shaped TO
that purpose. Other features Of the cam
paiSn are not being starved but econo-
mics are practced which were not
thought of four years ago, in order that
there may be plenty of money on hand for
distribution throughout the length and
breadth of the DOUBTFUL States three or
tour days before election and on the
morning of election. Indignant denial is
made that this money Is 10 be used cor
ruptly, but no cOncealment is made of
the fact that ii is 10 be used to hire the
services OF meh TO work at the polls to
pay for equipages and drivers and men
quaiihed TO go out and get the lazy voi-
ers and bring them To the voting places
This is regarded by practical politicians
OF both parties as legitimate.
Forewarned of the Republican purpose
TO drag the doubtful States with a fine
tooth comb for the actual voter on cleo
ton day. the Bryan managers have al
ready started the cry OF corruption con-
spiracies. ard charge that plans have been
laid for vote-buying.
Latest advices from Kentucky indicate
that the result there will be the success
or the winning ticket, whichever It may
be. By an exceedingly narrow majority
From all accounts Mr.. Yerkes. the Re
publican candidate for governor, Is very
much stronger than the national ticket
and is reasonably sure of election. even
though Mckinley should lose the electoral
vote or the State. Henry Watterson has
hIied the Bryan headquarters with a
mellow feeling of satisfaction by giving
Vice Chairman Johnson his personal as
suranee tnat he will vote for Bryan and
take off his coat for the national ticket
Up to that interview doubts had been
felt as to whether the veteran editor and
lecturer would really go so far as to de-
posit ballot in the box for Col. Bryan
Now all is lovely and the entire and alb
solute conversion OF Mr.. Watterson Is ac-
cepted as a happy auguTy OF Kentucky
victory. By special request OF Candidate
Yerkes the Republican National Commit
tee is keeping its hands of Kentucky and
letting the residents OF that State night IL
out among themselves. Chairman Hanna
may be quietly injecting little cash into
the Republican campaign there. but out
side speaking talent is kept away from
the tracss Kentuckians are extremely
sensitive. and resent any interference by
people living beyond the boundaries Of
their beloved Commonwealth.
There is genuine alarm and nneasIness
IN the Mckinley camp here over the con-
fdence shown BY Mr. Croker. and In MS
repeated declaration that he will carry
New York for Bryan. New York polhi-
clans. however send word that there IL
really no occasion for uneasiness. mi
that the State is sure for Mckinley. They
say that as a matter OF fact Croker'S
Judgment OF elections Is not good. ana
in proof CT this they point 10 the misleaG-
ing tips he gave his friends TWO years ago.
On that occasion he told the very bez.
and closest friends he had including
Whitney, Keene, and others Of that cai-
iber. that A man ought never TO make a
dollar who would not bet on the electiOl
OF Van Wyek for governor. A further
consolation and proof that Mr.. Croker u
not in d position 10 b. a good judge OF
actual conditions, IL r. often mentioned
that he IL surrounded by men who make
a practice Of telling him only what they
know he wants TO hear. as he Is impatient
and ugly with those who dare give him
Unpleasant truths and who want 10 De-
honest with him when entertaining differ
ent Views from the boss. Nevertheless,
the Croker front produces Republican DIS