Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08
Chairman Babcock Reviews
the Campaign.
WITH OUTLOOK
WHY THE REPUBLICANS LOST IN
THE CITIES.
Rural Vote Was With the Administra-
tion-Effect on the Result of the
Presidents Popularity.

brief after-election review of the cam
paign by Chairman Babcock of the republi-
can congressional committee presents some
interesting conclusions regarding the line
up OF the American people in politics. Rep
resentative Babcock has just returned to
his Washington residence after closing up
the affairs of the committee which under
his guiding hand has won five victories for
the republican party.
There was nothing to mar the perspective
view of Mr. Babcock as he looked in either
direction this morning. His ante-election
estimates had been realized. and the out
look for his party throughout the country
and in Congress was most satisfying.
Republicans Lost in Cities.
'The whole situation sizes up something
like this he remarked In response to a
request for an interview by a Star report
er. 1.-The vote in the cities. which is largely
cast by those drawing salaries at fixed
rate or by those receiving days wages, was
Influenced against the party in power be-
cause the cost of living is somewhat higher.
and by reason of the coal strike, 1t takes
more money to buy fuel. In the coun-
try the farmer who raises the produce Tor
the city consumer is receiving this addi-
tional cost.
1T was natural then, to look for losses to
the republicans in the cities, and this was
the result. The party lost members in Bos-
ton, Providence, New York, Baltimore, Chi
cago, Minneapolis, Omaha, Detroit and San
Francisco.
But the rural vote of both the east and
the west is found to be squarely with the
republican party on national issues. or
course. there were some local disturbances
of purely factional character which were
felt, as. for instance in California, and
also in Wisconsin. but these do not argue
against the complete Endorsement by the
farmers of America of the republican ma
tional issues.
The Presidents influence.
Then there was the personal popularity
OF President Roosevelt. The people in every
section of the country regard President
Roosevelt as not only absolutely honest and
fearless, but as energetic in his efforts to
do the things which are for the best inter-
ests of the people of the country regardless
of what the effect may be on any particular
interest The Tuesday vote was splendid
Endorsement of the President.
THE coal strike was like black cloud
On the political horizon. His timely and Wig
orous handling of the matter, resulting so
satisfactorily, blew that cloud away. There
was undoubtedly loss of votes to the par
ty by reason of the high price of fuel be-
cause of the strike. but that loss was moth
Ing in proportion to what it undoubtedly
would have been had the 4th of November
arrived with the strike still in progress
the price Of fuel going up and none in
sight. If the cloud which was visible on
the horizon had been allowed to come
nearer there is no telling what the result
might have been.
"One of the very gratifying signs on the
times" continued Mr. Babcock, fis the DO.
litical evolution of the west. Since 1896
the free silver fallacy has been on the
wane, and at each election since that time
In 1896 the republican party polled from
20 to 80 per cent of the vote in Idaho and
Montana; in 1898 from 80 to 40 per cent
in 1900 As per cent, and at the Tuesday
election 1t was over 80 per cent, while the
two members whom we got from Colorado
were entirely unexpected. 1t is in this
section, too, that the influence of the Presi
dent was felt. His popularity unquestion-
ably had much to do with the vote In these
states"
State Factional Difficulties.
The loss in the California delegation is
attributed by Chairman Babcock entirely
to disaffection in the party over state is.
sues. personal and otherwise. This same
element entered into the Wisconsin situa
tion, but in the latter state the majorities
which would have had to be wiped ou
were so large that the result was negative
In California, however, these majoritie:
were not so large, and the effect was tt
change the result.
The defeat of Representative Mercer OF
Omaha Is attributed by Mr.. Babcock not
to the efforts of his old-time political an
tagonist, Editor Rosewater but to the dis
satisfaction of the city voters over tins
higher prices of commodities. Mercer
could nave taken care of Rosewater easily
enough" remarked Mr.. Babcock 1T was
the swing of the city vote there, just as IL
other sections which defeated him. he de-
clared.
Mr. Babcock is not of the opinion tina,
the trust question will be a matter of ac
tion by Congress, at least not Immediately
On the subject of the speakership Mr.
Bapcock preferred not to make statement
1t is known that his friends are urging hin
TO take an active part in the fight on hi
own behalf. but whether he will accede 4
these demands will depend on the wa,
events shape themselves in this interesting
situa ton.