Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-15
THE PARTY MANAGERS
Republicans Taking Stock of
the Situation.
NOLACK OF CONFIDENCE
ELEMENTS ON WHICH THEY
RELY TO WIN.
Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin Be-
NO LACK OF CONFIDENCE
Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin Be-
ieved to Be Safe-Storm Gen.
ter in New York.

While a wave Of hope seems to be sweep
ing over the democrats of the eastern sec
ton of the country 1t Is not causing a re-
ceding tide of confidence among the repub-
leans by any means. After the first shock
of surprise over the outcome of their ad-
versarys national convention the republi-
can managers have been taking stock of
the situation and outlook, and 1t is only
truthful representation Of the actual state
of affairs to say that the republican leaders
are not in a state Of alarm.
COnceding that the campaign will be an
interesting one, and vigorous enough to
keep their blood from stagnating, the re-
publican managers still cannot figure out
defeat for the national congressional
tickets. They believe 1t is not on the cards
in the year of our Lord 1904.
On What the Republicans Rely.
AS one of them stated in a private con-
versation with a Star reporter. the republi-
cans rely mainly upon these elements:
THE undoubted widespread popularity Of
Roosevelt with the masses, and, conse-
quently, the unlikelihood of the voters ex-
changing a known and approved candidate
for an unknown, all other things being
equal.
Second, the fact that there is no vital
question at issue between the parties, the
differences being largely shadings of opin-
ion on tariff revision, its extent and method
Of undertaking.
Third the likelihood of our being able
to convince the voters of the wisdom of
letting well enough alone in these condi-
tions, rather than to experiment with new
men and uncertain policies.
Fourth, confidence in our ability to show
that the democratic party is still unsound
at heart on the financial question, and that
,nf fyH{f fhCf nd hod dnn1o ion, aP
of the party, recent events have demon
strated that the rank and file are not
weaned from their silver idols"
The storm center Of the presidential cam
patgn is to be in New York, New Jersey
and Connecticut. 1t would be childish to
claim that New York is not an uncertain
quantity and no republican manager WILL
when speaking sincerely, deny that the
state is in the balance. New Jersey is In
better shape, but the Industrial problem
VIII have to be taken into consideration all
the time. Connecticut is confessedly weak
from republican viewpoint.
Not Worried Over Indiana.
The republicans are not worried about In
diana or Illinois, although the rank and file
of democrats seem to think they have
fighting chance in those states At st.
Louis recently one Of the best-posted demo-
cratic politicians in Indiana said to a Star
man:
1--WE will not carry Indiana In my opin-
ion Indiana today is as safely republican
as Vermont"
Indiana is expected to go republican on
the tariff question and on the prosperity of
the farmers. The past four wears have
witnessed tremendous increase in manu-
facturlng throughout the state, as a result
OF tar1n protection. 1t is small manufac-
towns of the state, and the republica n 8
claim that the men engaged in 1t are per
fectly aware that their fate depends upon
the maintenance of protection. and that
while the big trusts could get along with
revision, the small manufacturers cannot
at this time spare single row OF bricks
from the wall that stands between them
and European cheap labor
The farmers OF Indiana are in better
shape than they have been for a genera
tion They are getting good prices for
their crops and find ready markets as re-
suit Of the demands of the Industrial towns
A notable fact, observed by some of the
republican managers. is that within four
years there has been great increase In
the number OF Independent newspapers in
the state, which have abandoned hidebound
party ah!iations and are advocating the
policy OF fostering Industrial progress The
republicans believe they can get the sup
port Of these newspapers this fall to their
national and congressional tickets.
Sure Of Illinois.
Illinois is today republican state The
pluralities of two years ago In the con-
gressional elections were smashing, almost
overwhelming in the majority Of the dis
tricts. Industrial and farming conditions
similar to those of Indiana prevail The re-
puohcans have nominated one of the most
popular men they could find in the state
Ior governor Speaker Cannon holds the
aHectlons or the people to degree only
second St to that enjoyed by President Roose-
Welt ana Is expected to prove a vote -getter
Ihe democrats are badly torn up into fac
lions. 1t is true that In Illinois the labor
troubles worry the republicans, but there
are three months in which to handle them
Inc managers believe that Illinois is safe
me democrats may carry the state ticket
IN wisconsin, but they have no solid foun-
oauon OF hope to carry the national ticket
Some OF the democratic managers believe
that deal could be made with La Fol
lette by which he would be given the state.
the legislature and the successor to SEN
ator euaries, In return for which he should
give the democrats the presidential electors.
but that Is regarded as rainbow chasing
indeed. e
The republican managers say that If is
not Wlthln the power of any set of leaders
In Wisconsin to swing the vote of the re-
publican masses on the presidential ticket
1t is an exceedingly intelligent electorate in
Wisconsin and entirely competent to ham
die the Australian ballot so as to deal with
local and national questions according to
their bent.
West Virginia Doubtful.
West Virginia is at this time a doubtful
state, from the republican viewpoint. The
situation is far from hopeless, however.
The bulk Of the vote is compact, belongs to
the intelligent Industrial class, and the re-
publican managers will give the state care
full attention in the campaign
The republican managers, after viewing
the outlook in the states beyond the Allie
ghanies, come back to contemplation of the
New York situation. Political conditions in
the empire state, while unsatisfactory, are
LA,1 IaI
Material nominations yet to be taken
into consideration. The republican ticket
can be materially strengthened by a wise
nomination, and 1t Is possible for Mr. Da-
vid b. Hill yet to put the democrats in
the hole with a candidate of his own en-
pirical choosing.
To Improve the Plunger.