Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28
ELECTION FORECAST
Chairmen of Both Parties
Claim the House.
MR.. BABC0CK'S VIEWS
HE THINKS THE REPUBLICANS
WILL HAVE A MAJORITY.
Chairman ariggs, on the Other Hand,
Is Confident of Democratic
Success. -.s.
Mr.. BABCOCK'S VIEWS


the day.. and no self-respecting politician
will admit that he does not have a correct
idea Of the result. This idea Is invariably
that his party, whichever 1t may be. will
| control the next House Of Representatives
Both Chairman Babcock of the republican
congressional committee and Chairman
Griggs. at the head of the democratic con-
gressional committee, are free to admit re-
publican and democratic success respect
lively, but as yet neither will go into detail
and tell from what congressional districts
they expect to get their members
A non-partisan poll of forty-f1ve states,
which will elect 1856 members of the House
of Representatives for the Fifty-eighth
Congress, made by the New York Herald,
shows that the republicans will probably be
able to control thes organization of that
body, but by very narrow majority. To
win the control the republicans must elect
1914 members. The returns give them 200.
They also show that there are III reasona-
bly, certain districts for the democrats and
fifteen districts doubtful. A general demo-
cratic drift in the east, with a very heavy
vote for Coler In Greater New York-&p-
preaching that Of Cleveland in 1892 when
he carried what afterward became, the
greater city by 111OOO plurality, would not
only wipe out the slender indicated republic
can majority In Congress- but would sweep
most OF these doubtful districts to the dem
ocratS ana give them control.
This is a tremendous turnover from the
congressional elections Of 1900. At that
time the republicans had a majority of
forty-six members. Apparently now that
majority has almost been wiped out Hard
luck for the republicans in the closing days
or the campaign, few mistakes ten
dency of the Independent voters. even slight,
toward democracy, and it is gone.
The Senate, with legislatures in doubt in
Idaho. Indiana and Pennsylvania, and with
Delaware likely to go democratic, will prob
ably stand: Republicans, 80; democrats,
30; doubtful, 3.
Mr.. Babcock's Views
The situation is given by Chairman Bah
cock Of the republican committee fol-
lows:
THE republicans will elect majority Of
the next House Of Representatives. Tbs
majority will not be that of the last presi-
Dental election, but will be somewhat re-
duced. 1 think it will be greater than the
majority in 1898. which was thirteen.
In most of the states there will be
light vote, and all our speakers have re-
ported considerable apathy. This has mark.
ed the political meetings on both sides.
The country is more prosperous than ever
before in it's history, and the farmers have
had unexampled crops. Therefore every
one has been too busy to take much inter
est in politics, assuming that the country
could take care of itself. However, there
has been an awakening Of interest, and l
look for heavy vote.
THE issues Of the campaign have been the
tariff the industrial combinatio and the
great prosperity which the country has been
enjoying. l attribute much of the present
favorable outlook to the splendid attitude of
President Roosevelt on the question OF the
trusts, the tariff and the coal strike.
IF the party had ignored the tariff aues-
ton 1t would have met with defeat. 1t has
taken the ground that the tariff should be
modified and placed on a protective basis. 1t
ant tod Nr1ho ,ifx }ln
west and east.
There are four kinds of tariffs discussed
at this time. These are the prohibitive tar
III, which shuts out certain classes of goods
ana places the American consumer at the
mercy of the home producer; the protective
tariff, which amply protects the manufac-
turer and the workingman; the tariff for
revenue only, and, finally. free trade.
The republican party has made it's fight
In this campaign in favor of the protective |
tariff, and will seek to adjust the tariff |
where 1t needs adjustment. The demo-
cratic party seems to be in favor of free |
trade as a remedy for the trusts, with all |
the ruin that free trade implies, and those |
who are not willing to go far are in
favor of a tariff for revenue and are GER
tainly not in favor of the protective system |
On the Issue which our opponents have !
raised we will carry the next House Of |
Representatives.
Chairman Griggs Confident.
Chairman Griggs of the democratic con-
gressional committee authorized this state |
ment today:
II have no doubt Of the election Of dem |
ocratic House. Three months ago 1t looked |
like plain sailing for the republicans. Every |
week since the campaign opened, however, |
democratic faith has strengthened and re- |
publican confidence has weakened. |
Three months ago a modest claim for |
hope Of democratic success this fall was |
met with a smile of incredulity from our |
foes and shrug of doubt from our friends. |
Not SO now. The republican managers I
claim the House. but by very small mar
gin. indeed, and many intelligent republic |
cans admit grave doubt to the result.
Our democratic friends are wide awake, |
alert and enthusiastic everywhere. Not so |
with our republican friends, If we are to
believe reports of republican campaigners. |
They are apathetic and listless. not to say |
careless of results everywhere. The repub- |
licans are not only not enthusiastic over
their prospects, but practically admit defeat
by their concessions Of large democratic
gains on apportionment, made with the ex-
press purpose and expectation of adding |
nineteen republicans and ten democrats to
the House; and with such gerrymanderlng
by republican state legislatures has |
never been seen before. 4
ROYAL VISITORS EXPECTED. /
Il