Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-11-04
Major Lacey's Plurality Will
be Small According to Best
Estimates
coLoRED VOTE is FOR LACEY
Most of the Miners, However, Will
Stand With Reece and He May Come
Close to Election-Reports Today In
dictate Considerable Scratching in
Black Hawk County.
pecial to Times Republican.

i
Oskaloosa, Nov. 4.-Major Lacey
closed his campaign at Oskaloosa last
evening in capital and convincing
speech to a large audience. He dealt
largely with trusts and the tariff, and
while no great enthusiasm developed
during the meeting, his telling argu-
ment was well received and apparently
appreciated by those who heard it.
There is little cause to doubt that he
will be returned, tho conservative re-
publicans who are in position to make
a close guess on the result concede
that his majority will be largely re-
duced. There is discernible feeling OF
unease among republicans in high
places politically. They fear that the
unexpected may possibly happen, and
the uncertain farmer vote is in itself
sufficient cause for considerable worry.
There has not been any wild-eyed ex-
element down in Mahaska, but 1T is
recognized that Reece has put up a
very strong still campaign. The union
argument has been and is being worked
for all it is worth. and it is worth con-
siderable in a close political contest.
There are between 500 and 600 color
ed voters at Bixton, the negro mining
village to which the black miners from
Muchakinock were removed. These are
nearly all strongly republican and are
claimed solidly for Lacey. On the other
hand it is claimed that some of them
will get away and that Reece will cap
ture a portion of the colored miner
vote. They are being promised the
kingdoms of the earth, from miners
viewpoint, If Reece is elected.
Lacey men claim a break among the
white miners at Abba, and that he will
poll respectable miner vote. 1t Is
rather safe guess, however, that, out
side of the colored vote. Reece will poll
practically the solid support of the coal
diggers. The democrats are not making
loud and boiSterous claims, but there Is
a logged determinedness about them
which speaks Of hope. The election is
upon the farmer vote. II
they turn out and vote as expected
Lacey's majority will be respectable. II
they stay in the cornfields or IT an ap-
preciable number of them scratch La
cey the result is likely to prove disa-
greeable. The serious danger is to be
from stay-at-homes. II
the farmers turn out they'll vote right.
There is, or rather has been among the
agricultural classes strong distaste for
trade unions. This is gradually dying
out, but enough of the feeling still ex
lists to initiate against Recess con-
gressional aspirations, even among
those farmers who affiliate with the
democratic party.
Whatever result the footings Of to-
days election returns may announce,
Major Lacey has received the whole
hearted and sincere support of the
"Cummins crowd "Bygones have
been bygones," and the Cumnins men
in Mahaska have bene and are fighting
tooth and nail to return the republican
nominee. George Sewers, a strong
Cummfns supporter, presided last eve
ming at Major Lacey's meeting, and
Cummins men in the audience swel!ed
the applause that greeted the majors
He will have no more un-
grudging support than that given him
by the men who helped make Cumlnins
governor of Iowa.
Mahaska politicians are guessing
Wade to win in the Second. They base
their predictions on the strong fight he
has put up and his popularity among
the students who learned law at s. U. /.
1t is hard to find university bred at
torney who has not q. regard for the
judge strong enough to lead him to
view his possible election with equa-
The cornfield question comes
up again in this contest, and in the
Second, as in the Sixth and Third. will
have much to do with majorities, if not
results. A contented and satisfied far
mer is a hard man to drag from his
field or threshing machine to the vot-
ing booth. Given hard times and dis
content and he is Johnny on the spot"
If there is a change in the complexion
of the Iowa delegation blame contents
ment and the cornfields.
F. A. MOSCRIP.