Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-17
$4,000 FOR ROOSEVELT
ONLY REPUBLICAN APATHY TO
REDUCE THAT MAJORITY.
Political Situation in Minnesota-The
Stay-at-Home Vote-A1l Interest
in State Election.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi, October 15 1904.
Republican apathy is the only thing that
can reduce Roosevelt's majority in Mime
sofa below $4,000. The party managers are
afraid of light vote at this election much
lighter than the vote of 1900, although the
voting population has increased consider
ably. There are several considerations that
may lead to a large stay-at-home cote.
In the first place, there is absolutely no
interest in the national campaign out here
Four years ago, and eight years ago the
silver issue kept things at white heat
All the radical democrats and populists OF
every degree turned out to vote for Bryan,
and the republican voters were deeply con-
cerned in the result. They gave Mckinley
the ecOrd-breaking majority of Il, $50 ana
the total vote cast was over 313,oOO.
This year everything is centered in the
state election, and the democratic managers
are avoiding the mention of Parker and ma
tiOnal issues 1t Is a well-knOwn fact that
a large per cent Of the old Bryan democracy
will be polled for Roosevelt this fall. The
gold democrats were never an important
factor in this state. Some of them went
back to democracy and swallowed Bryan
in 1900. A few more will come this year,
but others have become out-and-out repub-
licans.
What the leaders of the state democracy
fear most is revival of interest in national
issues. They are secretly encouraging the
organization of Roosevelt and Johnson
clubs among republicans, clubs which are
loyal to the party on the national issues,
but support Johnson, the democratic candi-
date for governor.
Looks Close for Governorship.
On the other hand, the republican COM
mittee is alarmed at the outlook for Dunn,
the nominee for governor, and is bending
every nerve to elect him. The republicans
opposed to Dunn are legion. good share
of them will go to the polls and vote for
Roosevelt and Johnson. Many more will
stay at home, knowing that Roosevelt is
SAFE and not willing to vote for either can
didate for governor
The direct primary law is also responsible
for much of the apathy. All candidates for
Congress, legislative and county offices were
named by popular vote on September 20.
In a majority of the counties no democratic
candidates entered There was a sharp
fight for the republican nominations, and
a big vote was polled. Now that the nOm-
nations are made, the contest is all over.
The nominees have no opposition, and the
local candidates and committees do not feel
any need of hustling. Two years ago the
vote was smaller in many counties on gem
eral election day than it was at the pri-
maries. The same is likely to occur again.
For these reasons, especially, the vote OF
Minnesota Is likely to be far behind 1900.
and may not exceed 100000. Roosevelt will
Mckinley did, but with smaller total vote
his majority may not exceed 10000. 1t is
likely to come out anywhere between that
figure and $4,000.
Dakotas ALI Right for Roosevelt.
Much the same condition is reported from
the Dakotas, but the lack Of interest is
even more marked The outcome is so
certain, both on the national and state
tickets that neither side is able to get up
any enthusiasm.
South Dakota has had no national speak
ers, and is being left absolutely alone by
both national committees. North Dakota
had fleeing glimpse of Fairbanks as he
FASTENED through on his special, and will
have no more excitement
Roosevelt is popular in North Dakota.
His ranch experience near Medora gives the
people of the state sort of pIvpr ierary IN
terest in the President. and he will get
many democratic votes. Here. too, the old
silver democracy will cut Parker to a large
extent. The vote of the state will not be
very heavy, as national issues do not arouse
any interest, and there are no state issues
worth mentioning. Republicans are making
the whole campaign on the personality of
Roosevelt and they look for at least 5000
plurality the national ticket. with the
state ticket close behind. In 1900 McKin
ley received 1891 votes, and Bryan 20,519.
There many new voters and the total.
vote will doubtless be somewhat over that
TOUR years ago. Inc ID,OGU plurallty is
likely to be doubled.
No National Speakers for Minnesota.
Minnesota will hear no more speakers of
national reputation. Secretary Taft had
been promised for speech or two later on,
but the state committee has received word
that he cannot be spared, being wanted in
the doubtful eastern states. The republi-
can committee would like to get up a little
scare for Roosevelt, but 1t hasn't time
1t is too busy trying to overcome the
prejudice against Dunn, and the anti-Dunn
republicans are doing the principal shouting
for Roosevelt. 1t is a way they have of
showing that they are still good republic
cans
Governor Van SAINT, who is secretly OPP
posed to Dunn, but is keeping a discreet 81
lence has managed to find a field for his
political activities outside the state He
has filled some dates in Iowa, and is now
going to spend a week in Indiana. He has
not made speech in Minnesota since the
campaign opened, and is avoiding any ap-
pearance on account of his reluctance to
speak his mind to the detriment of the can
didate.
The record of Candidate Dunn is being
vigorously assailed by republican newspa-
pers, and the democratic committee has
taken it up Dunn has retaliatea by dig
ging up the record Of his opponent as a
warm. Both candidates are touring the
CT To II ntr aJrl,%