Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-04

FAILURE OF TAGGART
Cannot Land Indiana in the
Democratit Column.
WHAT APATHY MEANS
BRYAN'S WHIRLWIND CAMPAIGN
HAS BEEN FORGOTTEN.
Plan to Buy Voterssis Now Discussed
Every Move in the Political
Game Closely Watched.
special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, November IA
campaign that is, probably, the most
unique in the history of Indiana, which, for
years, both great political parties have
made the battle ground for the fight to con-
troll the political affairs Of the nation, is rast
drawing to close. Featureless from be-
ginning to end, the battle for the hoosler
ballots is passing into history as the most
lifeless and most listless struggle ever
fought out within the states borders.
Republican political managers, speakers
and leaders assert that this attitude on the
part of the people, entirely unprecedented,
is due to the fact that the voters of Indiana
are satisfied with the present administra-
ton, its conduct of the country's affairs, its
policies and its integrity. This satisfaction,
they contend, proclaims their determine
ton to continue the Roosevelt administra-
ton in office. And, at the same time, is
proof that the present satisfaction is so
deep, so universal throughout the state that
the voters have neither time nor desire to
debate the political problems raised by the
democratic platform.
Meaning Of Apathy.
ers however, see different meaning in the
apathy They assert that, instead of being
satisfied with present conditions, the people,
on the contrary, are so disguised with the
policies of the administration and the meth
DDS pursued in the past that, long ago. they
determined to defeat the republican ticket.
Having made up their minds to this effect
a year or more before the campaign was in
augurated, it was not to be expected, the
hat ha CT fa'S
should display any marvellous interest in the
usual crusade Of spellbinders and political
enthuSia SITS.
But. with only day or two more re-
manning or the campaign, 1t is possible, and
safely possible, for unbiased judgment to
be formed of the basis on which these wide
ly varying statements rest That there
could be nothing hasty in arriving at the
conclusion, a thorough canvass of Indiana
was made, every county in the state was
visited, local conditions were considered in
their bearing on the results to the state and
national tickets and the completeness of
slderation together with that wonderfully
unique element ins Indiana politics known
Tar and wide as the floating vote
from such tour, holding all the facts in
mind, an unprecedented observer will return
10 indianapolis convinced that the theory of
the republican manager is correct and the
theory of the demo6 ratio ayers though
novel, is wholly erroneous.
Will Vote fol-. Roosevelt.
1rdiana, in other words, will give it's cleo
toral vote to Roosevelt and Fairbanks, and
the question now SIS one solely of the mag
nitude of the ma jority.e -s-,r2-
1t should be taken by the investigator into
political conditions in the hoCster state as a
major premise that no faith whatever can
be put in the figu, es issued by the chair
men of the two state committees. Chairman
O'Brien of the democratic committee as
proof of the unreliability of such statistics,
is still laying claim to victory in Indiana
by snug majority of at least 1900. State
Chairman Goodrich, on the other hand
standing at the head o. the republican or
ganization, is dealing with statistics that
give the state to the party he represents by
a majority of at least 10000.
In this both managers are wrong
The assertion tina t InGfana will remain in the
republican column disposes at once of
Chairman OBrien's figures and leaves only
be dealt with. And the latter's figures are
10000 in excess of the actual majority that
the unbiased observer will allow the sam
gCine leader and his party.
Indiana by 10000.
The assertion that the republicans will
carry Indiana by a majority of approx
II ately 10000 is a statement that is not
based on the results of former campaigns.
To compare the conditions in Indiana this
year with those of 1900 is manifestly abb
surd to any one touring the state today.
Four years ago the greatest interest pre-
vailed III the campaign. In all the cities
and towns throughout the state men neg
lected their business and devoted much of
their time to impromptu campaign har-
angues on street corners. In Indianapolis,
which reflected conditions as they prevail
ed throughout the state, every downtown
street crossing had it's orator, and the dis
cussions and debates that arose more than
once called for police interference.
This year, however, it has been with con-
siderable difficulty that speechmakers and
orators could be supplied with audiences.
Chairmen of county committees have been
driven almost to distraction in their frantic
efforts to induce voters to attend political
rallies and for the most part, the effort
has been abandoned at the very time when,
1t would seem, the enthusiasm should be at
fever heat.
1t is, of course true that William Jen-
nings Bryan drew immense crowds in In
diana. His ten days trip through the state
was a success numerically speaking, but as
a vote-maker or a converter, 1t was a
failure 1t accomplished no more than to
hold In line Bryan supporters and sympa-
thiZers and induce these voters to maintain
the democratic vote In its former Hropor-
TONS Before Bryan came into Indiana
thousands Of silver democrats We're avowed-
ly determined to vote the populist ticket or
remain away from the polls altogether.
When the Nebraskan left these men had
agreed TO vote ana DAVIS,
aside from this, Bryan's tour gained the
Indiana democracy nothing in the way of
new strength, put, on the contrary, con-
frmed many conservative democrats in
their determination to vote again the re-
publican ticket.
Harmonizing Democrats.
AS a matter of fact, the democratic state
organization has had before 1t a gigantic
task. Instead of being in a position to de-
vote its time and ENERGY from the begin
ming to an effort I'd gain votes, to make new
voters and increase democratic strength it
has been compelled1to contribute all Its eff
forts toward harmoniZing-a word that has
become significantly fraught with a pc
culiar meaning In the ranks Of Indiana
democracy. The democratic state commit
tee did not begin oits campaigning until
after Judge Parker was nominated and
Thomas Taggart was made national chair
man. Everything lin democratic centers
swung on Taggarts success. Immediately
upon his election, however, the fight began.
But 1t had continued but few days when
Chairman O'Brien recognized the fact that
his plans should be Immediately revised IL
he expected even to hold the democratic
vote in its strength of four years ago.
Immediately 'harmonizers'' were secured:
xh<. vii hod no for