The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-30
FIGHT WILL BE IN THE EAST.
Political battle-ground shifted From
the West.

new York and Pennsylvania to De
Scene of Heavy Fighting for Ncxs
Congre ss-RepubIfcnrs VIII Pitch
Their Tent in Gotham with
Branch Headquarters in Chicago.
Democl ats VIII Make Their Head
quarters at Washington With Jim
GrigSs in Charge.
Washington. d. c.. June 29.--In every
national campaign there is a great deal
said about the principal battle-ground.
During the last six years at least the
great battle-ground of politics has been
IN the states of the middle west. That
was because politics conditions made it
plain that such states as Ohio. Indiana,
and Illinois must be carried to give the
Republicans victory. Then the late
PRESIDENT Mckinley was a citizen of
Ohio and any notable slump in the vote
OF Buckeyedom would be quickly in
terpreted as a reelection upon him or
a lack of confidence in him on the part
of his home people.
This year the big guns have al
state and the battle will be directed
from there for control of the next
House of Representatives Soon after
congress adjounds the great generals
of Congressional campaigns win pitch
their tents in the city of Gotham
Chairman Babcock, the unconquered
chieftain of four Congressional cam
palgnS, Will spend large part of his
time there. AT his elbow will be another
past master. Secretary OVerstreet, of
indianapolis. These two have swelter-
ed through several summers together
in close political work in years gone
by They understand each other thor
oughly, know each others methods and
are so close in their relations that prob
ably neither would consent to aid in
the management of a Congressional
campaign without the assistance of
the other
But the old guard of Republican
chieftains comprises two more men,
bers Of the House Representative Sher-
man, of Utica, vice chairman, and Rep
resentative Hull, of Iowa. They
Will be in New York city a great
deal this summer and fail. These
four men have labored together so
successfully and so long. that it has
otten been suggested to them that
they would do we'll to quit, so that
they might retire with an unbroken
record of achievement.
The Capitol Ignored.
For the first time in the history of
republican congressional campaigns
this city is to be ignored almost com
pletely In old days the headquar-
ters used to be here Two years ago
the headquarters were located in Chi
| eago, with a branch here, as the lead
ers wanted to be near the scene of
strife. This year there will be a
branch headquarters In Chicago and
the chief headquarters in New York,
Where the leaders can keep their nm
gefs on the pulse of sentiment in the
Empire State and be able to rush to
bTthe rescue Immediately in Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey and Connecticut.
All the statisticians on prospects FOR
the next House agree, after all their
| figuring, on one thing--the Demo-
Gratis must make large gains in New
York and Pennsylvania, or they can
not have majority of the next
| House.
There will be a month or two of re-
| spite in many sections before the cam
paign is in full swing. but these chief
tains will be in their offices in New
! York and will have studied all the
close districts carefully before the or
ators are active on the hastings. 1t is
the purpose to have the work under
way earlier this year than usual and
the text book is to be in the hands of
stumpers during the month of July
The Democrats will have a new
array of campaign generals this year,
headed by Representative Griggs of
Georgia. Their headquarters have al
ready been opened in this city and
the preparations are we'll along for
their campaign. They will have a
branch in Chicago where ex-Repre-
sentative Ben T. Gable will be in
charge. New York, as the Presidents
state, will be watched carefully from
the headquarters in this city and sue
cor sent to the candidates in close
districts as occasion demands.