Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-09-29

that West Virginia is Republican
state. 1t was once Democratic, but the
influx of negroes from old Virginia
and other southern states and of Re.
publican mechanics from Pennsyl
vania and Ohio has made it Republi.
can Ninety-nine out OF every one
hundred negroes vote the Republican
ticket straight Many OF them have
to be paid TO go to the polls, but the
Republicans have the organization to
handle them. If we attempt to buy
them they take the stuff and still vote
for the other ticket. There are 5000
negroes who will vote in this state
without any right to do so-negroes
without domicile. If we were strong
enough to prevent them voting it
would make a big difference, but we
are not. | know Democrats in New
York expect us to carry West Virgin
la because Senator Davis was put on
the ticket, but we simply can't do it
We shall lose the state by from 1000
to $1,000. but there is a possibility
we may squeeze through with the gov
ernor, and | believe we shall gain one
and perhaps two congressman on ac-
count of Republican quarrels."
Reports are in circulation here in
New York that Senator Elkns is not
giving much support to the Republi-
can ticket this year. Chairman Cor
telyou is wholly satisfied with Senator
Elkins' attitude. No one expects him
to lead the fight against his father-in-
law. Good taste requires him to re
main well in the background. But be
tween this and downright treachery
there is wide gulf and the Republ-
can leaders are not worrying as to
what Senator Elliins' is likely to do or
not to do
Indiana, no doubt, is fighting ground
with the odds very much in Roose-
velt's favor. Tom Taggart's scheme to
buy the state at the last minute is
thus sized up by a man of excellent
information:
Tom believes there is a chance lie
has started his organization on a ba
sis that if money can carry Indiana
The money is to be had. He has told
his fellows out there: Work it down
to fine point in every precinct in the
state. Let us know Just where we
stand. If you can show me that half
million dollar will do the trick. III
furnish the stuff. But we don't want
any guessing about it, We want to
know. If it cannot be done, why, wen
save our money. Now get out and hus
tie and find out just where We stand ="
| believe the foregoing is an accur-
ate statement. Taggart is encouraged
TO believe pot of money may win at
the last minute, because the Republi-
can workers are n0 on keen edge
in Indiana this year. They worked like
Trojans for Mckinley and Hanna, but
there is no evidence that they are
eager to wade through the mud for
Roosevelt and Cortelyou Besides, they
are overconfident and are not very
harmonious. Too many men are am
bilious to step into Fairbanks's sena-
total shoes
On the other hand. | am told on
good authority that Taggarts local
people have reported to him that
about 10 per cent of the Bryan Demo
Gratis in Indiana are disgruntled and
intend to vote for either Roosevelt or
Watson. This is the case especially in
sauthern II diana, below the old ma
tional road as they say out there
the region whence cometh the big
Democratic pluralities. Half of these
sore" Bryanites the Democrats be
lieve they can coax or whip into line.
but the loss of the remaining half may
be fatal
Former Senator Towne, once of
Minnesota but now of Tammary Hall,
has just returned from Indiana, and is
today quoted as follows in a dispatch
from Saratoga, where he is
Things don't look favorable to the
Democrats in Indiana. If the election
should be held tomorrow Roosevelt
would carry the state. Lots of Demo
Gratis out there will vote for Roose-
welt. Besides, the Watson ticket viii
draw big Democratic vote. Many
voters say they haven't made up their
minds. There is too much Democratic
apathy out there to suit me-"
The Democratic managers confess
they have no hopes of carrying Illinois
Of WiDconsin. At one time they
though much of the possibilities in
those states. but they have now vir-
tually abandoned them. Senator
Spooner is in New York today and
he says there is no danger whatever
to the electoral ticket in his state.
What is gong to happen in the local
fight he frankly admits he does mol
know.
Everyone looks for a big Republi
can majority in Nebraska A Demo
crat from that state tells me that the
figures may go to 10000. But he in
sists Colonel Bryan has fair chance
to win the senatorship, due to fusion
nd the peculiar Legislative situation.
In Montana the chances are about
even. In Nevada the Republicans say
they could carry the state were 1t not
for the fact that Senator Newlands is
compelled to save 1t to the Democrats
in order to hold his seat. In ColoTad
there Is a bard fight, with about an
even chance for Governor Peabody
the Republican candidate for re-elec
ton, and Roosevelt stronger in the
state than Peabody