Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-13
THE OLD BAY STATE
CAMPAIGN Is NOW FAIRLY ON
WITH BOTH PARTIES.
Democrats Hope to Win State Ticket,
but Republicans Are Not
Worried.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
BOSTON, October Il. 1904.
Now that both state conventions have
been held, the campaign in Massachusetts
may be said to be fairly on. Thus far the
situation has been one of peculiar apathy,
so that it seems that trifiing influence
might turn the tide either way. Republi-
cans are supporting Roosevelt without any
great enthusiasm and with words of COM
menda ton for Judge Parker. In truth
there seems to be no dividing line, and the
democrats who are opposing Roosevelt 90
SO in a quiet half-hearted way.
The republican state committee does not
hope to make any converts. 1t Is devotlng
its time to arousing republican voters. 80
that the registration will be large and the
full republican vote be cast. 10 THIS emu
a rally has been scheduled for every night
of the current week. Senator Lodge, Rep
resentatiye Serene Payne of New York and
prominent speakers of the state are on the
program. At the annual dinner OF the Re-
publican Club Tuesday night at symphony
Hall, Senators Foraker and Lodge, ex,
Senator John NJ. Thurston of Nebraska ana
Gov. Bates spoke.
George Fred Williams at Work.
The only bit of news In democratic cir
cles is the announcements that George FREQ
Williams, ader of the radical element of
the party, would support William L. Doug
las for governor. Mr.. Williams was ap-
pointed on the committee which was to no
tify Mr. Douglas of his nomination.
Mr.. Williams was ignored in the man.
agement Of the last two campaigns, In
which Col. VIM. A. CASTOR headed the
ticket for governor. The conservative ele-
ment believed that Williams and the ideas
he stood for were a milestone about the
party's neck, and they refer to the in
creased democratic vote of 1902 and 1903 as
evidence of this belief Mr.. Douglas, on
the other hand. has sought the support or
Mr.. Williams. and in fact. personally ask
ed his aid. Mr.. Williams, promised this,
but refused to take the stump, since to do
this would put him in a position where he
could not well avoid speaking for Parker.
This he probably would not care to do, as
his enthusiasm for Parker is not OF char
acter to disturb his neighbors.
The campaign, with Mr.. Williams as
sistance. will largely be an appeal to the
labor vote. Mr.. Douglas is to be placed
before the people as union man.. An
attempt will be made to organize nom
partisan clubs among the working men
of the state, with statement of prin-
ciples which will cause the members to
support Mr.. Douglas for the governor
ship, leaving them free to vote for any
other national or state candidate as they
may prefer. This has not seriously dis
fess to see no reason why the republican
state and national ticket should not go
through by practically the same vote.
Senator W. Murray Crane.
Gov. Bates has announced the appoint
ment of w Murray Crane of Dalton to
succeed George Frisbie Hoar in the
United States Senate. The appointment
seems to give general satisfaction. 1t
was thought for a time that Mr.. Crane
would not accept the appointment on ac-
count of his business connections, the
paper house with which he is connected
having extensive contracts with the
United States government 1t is under
stood that Mr. Crane viii accent the an
pointment and that any connections in
consistent with his holding the office will
be terminated.
There seems to be no doubt as to the
action of the Legislature in this connec
ton, and the election of Mr.. Crane when
the Legislature assemblies is assured. The
coming legislature will have two senators
to elect. That body will be largely repub-
lican, and Lodge and Crane will be
elected.
Reciprocity With Canada.
The republican state convention deprived
the democratic party of its main issue Con-
siderable effort has been made to divide
the republicans on the question of reciproci-
ty with Canada and Newfoundland The
Boston chamber of commerce has had the
subject of reciprocity in hand and petitions
were circulated asking legislation in that
direction. Over 10000 names were secured
to these petitions They were rapidly CTR
culated and the number of signatures gave
no indication of the seriousness of the pub
lie, but it is probable that a large number
were interested. The republican state con-
vention adopted the resolutions recommend
ed by the chamber of commerce. thus TAX
ing the issue entirely out of politics. AS a
matter Of fact the question of reciprocity is
not a serious one. James G. Blaine of
Maine was the originator of the idea, and
1t would be hard to convince the people Of
New England that his proposition would be
injurious to Maine any other New Eng
land state His idea was largely to trade
off tariffs which were no longer necessary
for tariffs hostile to American trade In
the present instance the Canadians are vio-
lently opposed to the reciprocity arrange
ment sought by New England and no tariff
agreement is probable. Senator Lodge has
declared himself in favor of an arrange
ment, If 1t can be made satisfactorily, and
that is the position of both republicans and
democrats. The fact that 1t cannot be
made Is recognized by the manufacturers
and business men generally.
AS the situation stands nothing has &C.
Cured to disturb or divert the republican
voters in Massachusetts, and there seems
to be no occasion to predict anything but
the usual republican plurality.