The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-26
DEMOCRATS ARE SCARED
REPUBLICANS ARE MAKING BIG
GAINS IN LAPORTE COUNTY.
Senator Beveridge Unable to Speak at
Mandamus Case-Other Politics.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
| LAPORTE, Ind, Oct 2.-That the DEM
ocrats of Laporte county are frightened
| and fear for the success of the greater
| part OF their ticket at the November cleo
ton is becoming more apparent each day.
| During the past week the situation has
| improved materially for the Republicans
and although they are confident of electing
a large share of the county ticket, they are
not giving UP working, but are doing all
In their power to maintain and increase
the advantage which they have.
For the purpose of turning the tide of
Republicanism. which, because of the pros
porous Republican times, is sweeping ev-
erything before il, the Democratic organs
of Laporte county published story, early
In the week, that the Republican state
committee had dumped several thousand
dollars in the cities of Laporte and Michi-
gan City, to be used in securing the cleo
ton of the county ticket and principally
to insure the election of the Republican
joint representative from Starke and La
porte counties and the return to the House
of Representative r. b. Short from La
porte county, as their votes would be need
ed in the election TO the Senate again Of
Charles w. Fairbanks. So strong, how
ever, did the persons in whose brains this
story originated make 1t that ii fell fiat
and failed to produce the sensation or
effect looked for. The Republican party
managers hardly found II necessary to de-
ny the absurd 'slush fund story, as the
Democratic press termed it, as the effect
was reactionary and the Democrats were
glad to drop it,
The Democratic orators in the county are
trying to lay great stress on the alleged
reunited condition of the party here in
the hope that 1t will keep in line some of
the Democrats who have a tendency to
wander into the Republican camp. The
fact Is there Is more dissatisfaction in the
Democratic ranks this year than for years,
due entirely to local conditions and the par
amount fact that under Republican admin
lstrauons the people have been unusually
prosperous.
A comparison OF the meetings held shows
the Republican meetings as rule TO
be better attended than those of the Demo-
Gratis. The Republicans have had no large
demonstrations in the county this week,
but the Democrats held last night what was
intended to be the principal rally of the
campaign in Laporte. Captain Guthrie, of
Monticello, the opponent of Z. d. Crum-
packer for Congress-. was the speaker but
the meeting was fiat and lacked enthusiasm.
Lay Hall, which seats 200 on the ground
floor and $50 in the galleries, was used. One
fourth of the seats on the main floor were
unoccupied and two-thirds OF the chairs
In the galleries were empty. The size of
the crowd was a great disappointment to
the managers, as we'll as to the speaker.
When Mr.. Crumpacker appeared here early
In the campaign he spoke at Halls Opera
House, which seats 800 and which on that
occasion was almost filled. Senator Fair
banks, in the same hall, had a packed
house.
Guthrie claims that Capitalization of DOW
er is the main issue in this campaign all
other questions being subsidiary. His adj
dress is no different than the general run
OF democratic stump speeches this fall
lie harps on the trusts and the Republican
policy in the Philippines, tried to initiate
senator Fairbanks, who addressed himself
In MS Laporte speech more especially to
the young men by saying that he wanted
10 note this point. He made one fatal adj
mission when he said the only antitrust
laws ever passed by Congress were passed
wnen the Republicans were in power
CONSERVATION has been produced in the
ranks OF the Democratic party in the
county by the fact that a number of very
influential members of that party are OPEN
ly working for the success of the Republic
an county ticket. The still hunt plan is
being followed pretty well by both parties.
there being but few large demonstrations.