The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-07
Leaders See in Republican Disor-
ganization Grounds for Hope
of Winning Next Year.
MANY STATES ARE DOUBTFUL.
ROOsevelt'S Chances Seem Ia BE
Steadily Weakening in New
York. New Jersey and
Delaware.

| IL.
Washington. Dec. 6.-"Straws show
which way the wind blows and the
| Democratic leaders are greatly encouraged
| by the developments in the political sit
uation throughout the country during the
| past few weeks
While they do not depend on Republican
| Reorganization for their own victory in
| 1904. they recognize that the existing Re
publican dissatisfaction affords a splendid
| opportunity TO get together. and, by pre-
senting united front. the Democrats
| hope TO win the next presidential cleo
! ton.
| The factional quarrel in Maryland gave
Senator German a chance to win in that
| State, and it has been restored TO the
Democratic column. where 1t will undoubt-
eddy reUAin for years to come. The ten
derness of the President for the "colored
brother socially as we'll as officially. has
Offset all the conciliatOry work of Presi-
| dent Mckinley in the South.
Mr.. Roosevelt apparently has Joined
hands with Governor Odell to unhorse
Senator Plat. although the latter. in a
final effort to gave himself the day before
the recent W'hite-House confcrence-at
which he was told to take a back scat
came out with the announcement that
New York was solid for Roosevelt and
would go Republican in 1904. Apparently
the President doubted Senator Platt's sim
ccrity or questioned his ability to deliver
the goods and linked his fortunes with
those of Odell.
AS goes New York. so probably will go
New Jersey and Connecticut. in all three
of which the Democratic prospects are
growing brighter every day.
ReDubllcang
calcutta lions for 1904 without New York,
New Jersey and Connecticut. Indiana is
that State may pull him through. with
the aid of Fairbanks. who st.lnds Il good
chance for the vice presidency.
DEBATABLE GROUND.
Colorado and Idaho are debatabie
ground. and, with Senator Dubois making
fight for reelection, constitute strong
Democratic possibilities.
Although Montana went Republican last
year by a small plurality, the Republican
Candidate for Congress failed to receive
a majority of all the votes cast.
The Republicans are confronted with
perplexine problem in Utah; II they I'M
seat Senator Smoot they will undoubtedly
lose the State at the next election. At the
same time, If they fail to respond favora-
bly, TO the numerous petitions now flooding
litical cstrangement of the petitioners.
The rejection on Monday last by the
regular Republicans of Delaware oil the
harmony proposition advanced by the
unionists. offers an advantage for the
Democrats. and they are preparing for an
active campaign in that State. AT the last
general election the Democrats polled TO-
500 votes to l.. 1895 for the Union Republican
and SOS for the Regular Republican can
didate. so that. although the Republicans,
If united. would have Il majority of about
500 in the State, yet the Democratic cam
didate for Congress was elected by piu-
rality of $500
NEED TO WIN Il VOTES.
The next Electoral College will have 476
votes, and even the most optimistic Re-
publicans concede the following States to
the Democrats in 1904: Alabama. Arkan-
sas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky. Louist-
ana. Maryland. Mississippi, Missouri,
Nevada North Carolina, South Carolina.
Tennessee Texas and Virginia, with 162
electoral votes in all. leaving but seventy
seven to be secured in order to win.
Conservative Republicans realize that
Mr.. Roosevelt will be weak in parts of
the East. and many admit that New York.
New Jersey. Connecticut and Delaware,
with their siXty-one electoral votes, are
doubtful States, with the chances favoring
the Democrats. This would give 223 cleo
toral votes. Or but sixteen less than
ma jority.
To secure these additional votes. the
following States may be drawn from: In
diana, with 10 votes; Colorado. 3; Idaho, 3:
Utah. 3: Montana. 3: Washington. 5: Wyo-
ming. ); West Virginia, Z. and Nebraska,
s, making a total of 81 votes.