The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-21

CHAIRMAN BABCoCK THINKS CON-
GREss WILL BE REPUBLICAN.
HISS Committee Satisfied with the
Prsspect-PossibiIfty that a Few
Districts May Be Lost.
sD.ciaI 10 enc Inaiananol,s journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 0.-"With the
election now less than two months dis
TART said Chairman Babcock. of the Re-
publican congressional committee tonight,
..the outlook is for a Republican majority
In the next House. 1t is impossible to give
figures because many Of the districts are
yet in uncertain shape, but we are well
satisfied with the prospect. We have, 1t Is
true, encountered in his campaign more
than the usual number Of fractional fights
in congressional districts, but the Demo-
Gratis also have had difficulties of this char
acter to contend with"
"Are trusts and the tariff the principal
issues?'
'sYes. Secretary Root. who is ready to
go into the campaign filed full of facts
about the Philippines, ~laughingly says that
his occupation Is gone. The Philippine
public mind. Speaker Hendersonfs action
has. of course, accumulated the tarln ques-
ton. I do not believe that his withdrawal
has hurt us, although the opposition VIII
magnify it as much as possible" The
fact is" said Mr.. Babcock. 1--WE cannot
find that we are going to lose any of the
from the Democrats. There was a posi-
bilfty of this conservative Democratic
vote leaving us until Bryan and
rafixed free coinage of silver in Massachu-
sets and Maine. This fact. together with
the Endorsement given to the Kansas City
platform In many Democratic state con-
Democrats that their party is still Joined
TO its idols. As a consequence We Will con-
tinue to hold this vote"
viii apathy affect the campaign"
1T is always difficult for the party in
power" was the reply, ito get out its full
vote at the polls. The percentage of nom
voters will be larger on our side than on
the Democratic. We have taken hat fact
into our calculations, but even with this
drawback we believe that we will elect a
Republican majority"
country, Mr.. Babcock said in New England
the Republicans would practically hold
their own. There might be. he said. a lit
tie change in Massachusetts, the one way
or the other, but Ii would not be important.
In New York. he said. the assurance of
Governor Odell was that the Democrats
would make no inroads into the Republican
delegation. Ii Is expected that Congress
man Lessler's district will go Democratic.
On the whole the Democrats may gain two
districts There will be. said Mr.. Babcock.
Isolated districts throughout the country
that will give Democratic gains, but there
Is no indication as yet Of any decided trend
toward Democratic victory. In some of
the States. as in Illinois. they are certain
of making gains. In Illinois. according to
Mr.. Babcock. there are sixteen GER
tain Republican districts; six certain
tricts that may be won by either
party. In Wisconsin one district is
likely to go Democratic, having been con-
structed by the reapportionment law out of
Democratic counties In Minnesota. Repre-
sentative Fletcher's district. where John
Lind is the Democratic candidate. is the
only one that is considered In doubt.
So" added Mr.. Babcock. I'VE viii un-
doubtedly lose a district here and there,
but giving the opposition every district that
IL would seem possible they can carry, we
will still have the House by a good working
majority"
MIR. Babcock went back to New York
lase tonight and will soon go out to Wis
consin to look over matters In his own dis
trict. He regards the reelection OF SEN
ator Spooner as assured.