Evening star., 1900-07-16
A CHANGE OF SENTIMENT
THE CONSERVATIVE ELEMENT OF
THE SOUTH AND RRYANISM
United Congressional Delegation
From CnlifOrnin-BiE Republican
Majority Predicted.

| Thomas J. Kirk of Sacramento. Cal, state
superintendent of pubic instruction. in an
/ interview with a Star reporter at the Ra-
| leigh. in referring to the political situation
| on the Pacific coast, and in the south,
said:
Il am in Washington on my vacation.
| and journeyed from California through
Texas and the southern states. While i
am engaged in educational pursuits l
nevertheless came in contact in the south
with many of its business men. and as l
travelled slowly stopping at many southern
cities | met many men engaged in mer-
camille ana manufacturing interests. / dis
cussed the political situation with them al.
and L was much surprised at the luke
Warmness with which they expressed them
selves over the prospect of another cam
Iaign Of the principles for which .Ir. Bryan
stands sponsor. In general terms 1t Is my
opinion that this element in the south is
weary of these issues. This element. OF
course. is Insufficient to have material eff
feet Upon the result of the elections, but 1
believe that 1t will be made manifest in
decreased majorities for the democratic
candidate especially in those of the south
ern states which have in recent years gone
so extensively into manufacturing The
prosperity of the south is unmistakab,e.
even to an Inexperienced eye, and this class
of men do not seem averSe to expressions
of opinion that they are perfectly satisfied
that present conditions shall not be dis
turbed.
Visual Evidences of Prosperity.
Il did not have to be told by the gentle
men who entertained that the south
experiencing an awakening in mer-
camille and manufacturing enterprises
which is quite to that part of the
United States, as the visual evidences of
it in new factories, improved towns and
the operating of new industries are only
too aDEiTtuC There is good whole
some visor in trade conditions, and the
thoughtful. conservative business element
want no change in political conditions
" hich Will menace this growing wealth. l
was personally much surprised at 4he free
dom with which some Of these uthern
merchants expressed themselves. Their
political iHCinationS may not have changed
TO the extent of voting for Mr.. Mckinley,
but they are mighty glad of the great river
of trade which is coursing through Their
section. with the enhanced prices of their
home products. and it is this element which
looks with disfavOr upon any political
change which may even inferentially tend
10 check it.
United Congressional Contingent.
''In my own state. California l look for
the return of a united congressional dele
CATION from all of our seven districts. In
the second district, represented by Mr.. De
Nries in the last Congress. the only demo-
crat in the delegation the republicans have
made up their minds TO carry it. 1t is nor
nlally republican, and strong candidate
Will be put up. Many mining men voted for
Mr.. De Nries for personal reasons, and the
republicans expect to have these voters
this year, Mr.. De Nries will not be a
candidate. having been appointed by the
President to another position.
There was also a large popuistic eie-
ment in of the other congressional
districts. and those who left the republic
can party to join it have returned. The
California delegation to Congress this fa1
will undoubtedly be a solid republican one.
In California. Mr. Mckinley is PERSONAL
ly the most popular President we have
had. The people like him. They will
tain his administration by a majority
which l estimate at H.u1. This may seem
high, but / desire to emphasize the fact
that we Pacific coasters are for .lckin'ey
and expansion first. last and all the time.
The friction in the party over the election
of senator was but temporary. and IL pre-
Sents united front to contraction and free
silver. For instance, | know of at least
I'n men among my own acquaintance who
voted for Mr.. Bryan who will reverse heir
votes this fall. a percentage like this will
make big aggregate at the polls.
'tAll that has been said about the good
times on the coast is true. California a
few years ago was overrun with tramps
and men out of employment. To-day, labor
is scarce. our wheat crop has been very
large. and the ranchers in the interior will
need all the help they can obtain TO har
vest the raisin and nrrlne crops. our fruit
growers want no change in the tariff laws,
which have enabled our agricultural popu-
Iation I" thrive and build up a mighty busi-
ness in fruit
.