Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-14
OHIO AND INDIANA
About Politics Beyond the
Alleghenies.
ROOSEVELT POP UL AR
WHY FEELING Is NoN-PARTIsAN
IN THOSE STATES.
His Commanding Importance in the
situation-Wall Street Will Have
No Effect on General Prosperity.

Mr.. Otto Carmichael, Washington corre-
spondent of the Cincinnati Commercial
Tribune, Minneapolis Times and other pa
pers, is in from a western trip. Mr.. Car
michael had this to say about politics be-
yond the Alleghenies:
There is some little gossip to the effect
that should Cleveland be nominated by the
democrats he could not get the Bryan vote
in Indiana. This is doubtless true. But
it Is also true that Cleveland could get as
many of them as any other democrat
Most of the Bryan democrats will vote for
Roosevelt. ...t-'
Ohio and Indiana.
II spent several days recently in Ohio
and Indiana, and made inquiries of we'll
informed men as to the political situation.
/ was told by railroad men that the en-
ployes were almost solid for Roosevelt and
would vote for him without regard to for
mer political convictions. I was told the
same thing Of the thousands of workmen
on the trolleys and suburban lines. Irav-
cling men, who meet the smaller merchants
over the state, say that the approval or
Roosevelt is so general that one rarely
hears a word Of criticism. These state
ments are the same from 80 many reliable
sources that they may be accepted without
the slightest question.
"The wise political doctors. and these
states are full of them, are disposed to
claim that the republican administrator
has this confidence, and that Roosevelt per-
sonally is not responsible. There may be
some little truth in this contention. In
diana and Ohio are tremendously prosper
GUS. All the towns big and little. are hav-
ing booms. Central Indiana Is making more
rapid Industrial progress than any section
of the country. The towns Of Ohio are
making amazing strides The farmers
never made so much money and were never
more contented. 1t is true that the republi-
can administration is given credit for these
good times 1t is also true that 1t is gen
orally believed that the Mckinley admins
tration laid the foundation for this amazing
prosperity.
Roosevelt's Popularity.
"This much may be admitted without de-
tracing from the commanding Importance
of Roosevelt in the situation. Prosperity
may keep the republican support in vigor-
Gus and winning form. Roosevelt goes fur
ther and renders the enemy helpless. He
makes 1t absolutely impossible to turn the
Bryan following to an old-line democrat.
There is non-part1san phase to the popu-
larity of Roosevelt which renders the demo-
Gratis helpless. The Bryan democrats would
go to Roosevelt rather than to Cleveland,
rather than to Hill or German. All sound
money democrats look alike to these Bryan
democrats. Roosevelt looks pretty good to
them.
1T would be a mistake to conclude that
on account of this support Roosevelt has
not the confidence, respect and support or
the middle-class business men. Here and
there one finds big capitalist. interested
in large speculative and commercial gam
bling schemes, who is In sympathy with
the Wall street objection to Roosevelt.
There are not many of these. Their infiu-
ence is inconsequential Their political ac
tivity will not be great. The average bust
ness man is convinced that Roosevelt Is
making some sort of a big fight against
monopoly and corporation oppression which
In the end will be for the good Of the coun
try. 1t does not even occur to them that
this warfare will have any bad effect upon
prosperity. They know all about prosperi-
ty. They are digging it out Of the ground,
making it in factories, selling 1t in stores,
working for 1t at good pay at countless
jobs According to their view. Roosevelt
Is not bothering these workers He is after
those who are thriving on their industry
and thrift. There is some discussion as to
what he may be able to accomplish. as to
whether Congress will help. how far the
courts will support him. etc, but the fact
that harm may come as a result of his en-
deavors is not thought of as possibility.
Nothing to Indicate Change.
occasionally some political leader breaks
loose with something which apparently in
dicates a revolt against Roosevelt. These
usually amount to nothing. The men really
in politics dare not talk against Roosevelt
in Ohio and Indiana. If Senator Hanna
should lend his name to an anti-Roosevelt
movement he would be beaten for re-elec-
ton. The same may be said of candidates
for all federal and state offices in both
states.
How about change? There is abso-
lutely nothing to indicate that one is COM
ing"