The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-08-01
WHY INDIANA IS DOUBTFUL.

The republicans carried Indiana in
1900 by a plurality of 26,497 and in
1902 by 1854. With Charles w. Fair
banks, the popular Indiana senior SEN
ator, running for vice-president this
year, it is difficult to understand the
basis for the claim that Indiana is a
doubtful state The states on the north
side of the OHIO river will all give
handsome pluralities to Roosevelt and
Fairbanks" Ledger.
The political balance, disturbed by
the civil war. was readjusted in time
for the elections Of 1876, since which
time Indiana, in common with the
other states of the union, has establish
ed a certain definite political reputa-
ton. There were seven presidential
elections between 1876 and 1900, both
inclusive, and through five of them
Indiana swung back and forth be-
tween the two great parties with the
regularity of a pendulum. In 1876 it
went democratic by 5515. in 1880 re-
publican by 6641, in 1884 democratic by
6512, in 1888 republican by 234S, and in
1892 democratic by 1925.
1t was not until 1896, when sound
money was the paramount issue, that
the state radically increased these
for Mckinley by 1881, and in 1900, the
issues being unchanged, it went for him
made possible by the attitude of the
gold democrats of the state, who almost
dates and platform. This year the
gold democrats of Indiana, in common
in considerable numbers to the party
from which they came. This readjust-
margin in that state to less than 10000
and such a margin, with total vote
of practically 100000, means that a
state is doubtful.
The nomination of Senator Fair
publican ticket in Indiana for the rea-
son that Indiana mas been SO frequent
W. nn1n I TO 10 h TO, vol he
appeal of it's force. In 1876 the demo-
Gratis put Hendricks on the presidential
English on the ticket with Hancock, in
1884 they again nominated Hendricks,
ticket. In 1888 and again in 1892 the
republicans went to Indiana for can
mer year Harrison carried his own
state by 234S, and in 1892 he lost it
by 1925. In 1904 the republicans go to
Indiana for a candidate for vice presi-
dent. In six Of the eight national
Indiana has been represented on one or
the other of the leading presidential
tickets The result in 1883 and in 1892,
when Harrison was running, ought to
convince the average man that Senator
Fairbanks will hardly be expected to do
more this year than help to keep the
party organization intact and get out a
full vote.
Fairbanks nomination by the repub-
Leans will be practically offset. so far
as Indiana is concerned. many believe.
by the selection of Mr.. Taggart to be
the chairman of the democratic nation
al committee. He will be expected &c
give particular attention to his own
state, and he has been chosen because
Of his accurate and detailed informa-
ton regarding its political conditions.
The campaign in New York and the
states near it will be managed by an
executive committee composed chiefly
Of men who are familiar with condi-
tons there as Mr.. Taggart is with con-
ditions in Indiana.
We doubt if there is a state in the
union, not even excepting New York
where political interest will be greater
this year than it will be in Indiana, or
where it will be as difficult in advance