Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-27
living Democrats All Doubtful Districts
Leaves Republicans in Lead.
,PATHY ONLY DANGER OF REPUBLICANS
AgitstOrs VIII All Vote, Willie Busy
Workers May Stay Away,
CLAIMS OF CHAIRMEN or BOTH PARTIES
Democrats as Usual Assert They VIII
DO Great Things, hut In Every
Instance Avoid BEING
Specidc.
(From a Stan Correspondent. J

NAShlNGlON, Oct. 2b.--(Special,)- -
Chairman Babcook Of the republican con-
gressional committee Is preparing a state
ment showing the result Of his estimate Of
the probable standing Of the parties IN the
next congress. While he is not ready quite
to make his figures public, he has admitted
that the outlook is very hattering for the
republicans. Mr.. Babcock is very conserv-
ative in his methods, and the count Of the
vote has always shown that he was within
nv or six OF the actual figures His record
has been such that even The democrats ad-
init that he IS painfully accurate.
1t is understood that when Mr.. Babcock's
table is given out 1t will predict the cleo
tion Of POS republicans and 100 democrats
and leave twenty-one districts doubtful.
"our majority in the next house will be
larger than It was In 1885," says Mr.. Bah
cock Conceding to the democrats every
doubtful district, the republicans will still
have majority Of twenty-four believe
the majority will be nearer forty than
twenty"
Counts on Light Vote.
In making his estimates Mr. Babcock has
considered all the conditions Of an of year
He is counting upon a light vote, particu-
larly in the eastern states, where the
workingmen are too busy to pay much at
tention to politics. He says that peculiar
as It may seen prosperity which is the re-
suit of republican policies. now threatens
republican majorities. Men who have steady
employment and are working six days every
week have little time TO attend political
meetings and are apt. he thinks, to be care
less about going to the polls on election
day. This may result in a reduction OF ma
jorities in strong republican districts, but
Mr.. Babcock does not believe that II will
endanger the success of the republican
ticket. The apathy OF which politicians
generally complain is due. Mr.. Babcock
thinks. more to physical disinclination on
the part OF the voters to attend political
meetings than to any indifference as to the
results. This spirit is even stronger among
democratic voters than II is In the repub-
lican ranks as nearly as Mr., Babcock can
ascertain.
In Illinois Mr.. Bsbcock claims sixteen
members for the republicans, and con-
cedes the democrats nine. In Indiana he
claims nine republicans, comedies three
democrats and lists one as doubtful. This
is the Fort Wayne district, now repre-
sented by a democrat. In Nebraska he
considers the Omaha district the only doubt
full one. In Wisconsin and Michigan he
lists one district each as doubtful, claim
ing the rest for the republicans. In New
York he claims twenty-five out OF the
thirty-seven members Two Minnesota dis
tricts are listed In the doubtful column,
with a prospect of the entire delegation
being republican. Two California districts
are also on the doubtful list.
Information from other sources is as fol-
lows:
status in wisconsin.
The republican state chairman IN Wis
consin claims at least 10000 plurality for
La Toilette and the entire ticket The
democratic chairman gives no figures, but
seems to think Rose will run 1000 ahead
OF La Toilette.
At the close of his speech at Appleton
yesterday morning Governor La Toilette was
asked this point-blank question:
I'm view OF the fact that Senator Spooner
has rendered such efficient services at
Washington, and in view OF the fact that
he is industriously working for the success
of the republican party in this campaign, do
you Internationally sanction his return to
the senator?
II will answer you In this way" the gov
ernor replied. II am for the republican
party. / am for Senator spooner the day
and hour that he raises his voice for the
principles and platform OF the republican
party ~ thuL liluo viii IdlB6 my voice
for his reelection and return to the SEN
ate, for then ] can do so In conformity with
the principles of the platform OF the party
which l represent"
This fat-footed declaration by Governor
La Toilette that he will be for Senator
spooner when the latter subscribes 20 the
obnoxious plank of the Madison platfcrm
regarding primary elections and taxation
will undo all the harmony" work OF Henry
G. Payne and other leaders and split the
party again worse than II was split before
the so-eRlled harmony" went into effect.
Senator spooner Is resting at his home In
Madison He was to have continued his
speech-msking Tuesday at Ashland. but It
Is doubtful now II he will do so under the
circumstances.
Neither chairman in Iowa will give ng-
ures on pluralities. The republican claims
big majority for the state ticket aud
the election Of every congressman. The
democrat expects to elect three congress-
men and perhaps Ave, but the republicans
claim the entire delegation.
The republicans claim Michigan for their
| entire state ticket by from 10000 10 81. 1000.
The democrats hope TO elect Duraad gov
ernor, but give no figures The legislature
Is conceded to the republicans.
Claims In Indiana.
In Indiana the republican chairman
claims a plurality OF 20 900 for the state
/ ticket. The democrats also claim the stats
/ ticket. but refuse figures. The democrats
/ assert they will elect hve congressman and
probably nine. The republicans say they
will add one to their present delegation.
| The democrats also are beginning to claim
the legislature and Senator Fairbanks is
| huBtling.