The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-06
the cotton needed by the world. 1t has
only begun to demonstrate its possible
ties in that direction.
1900 and 1904,

Four years ago, in the first week OF
October, 1900, The Sun was receiving
letters expressing surprise at the little
discussion of questions of politics then
heard among men at the exchanges, the
clubs and other places where they as
sembled. That is, the situation so far
rs concerns the exhibition of spoken in
terest in the Presidential campaign then
in its last month was not very different
from the condition now observable.
From all parts of the Union now come
reports of an indisposition to get excited
over the political campaign, to degree
which is even more remarkable than the
apparent indifference of October, 1900.
So far, interest in political meetings has
been much less pronounced during this
campaign than in any past Presidential
canvass, even that of 1900. Relatively
little talk about politics is heard outside
of the camps of the active politicians.
In October, 1900, however, there pre-
vailed in the financial districts through
out the Union a confidence in Repub-
lcan success very much like that ex-
hibited now. Doubts as to the result
which had caused depression in many
minds at different periods earlier in the
campaign began to be dissipated. The
stock market began to show new life,
as it is doing now. Betting on the
election, it is true, had been from the
beginning even more favorable to Re-
publican success than it has been this
year, and in October the odds for Mr..
MCKINLEY were increased; yet there
was then unquestionably some genuine
hopefulness of triumph among the chief
managers of the Democratic campaign.
A prediction of 1913 electoral votes
for BRYAN, with SO doubtful, came
from inside the Democratic national
committee, and from the same source
was sent forth the confident assertion
that New York was certain for BRYAN"
The estimate of the Republican COM
mittee was more NOTES.-The electoral
votes for MCKINLEY and III for
BRYAN. Actually, the election a month
later gave MCKINLEY POP to 1855 for
BRYAN, and the Mckinley popular plu-
rality in New York was 143,6O8.
On the 10th of October, 1900, there was |
a tremendous Tammany demonstration
for BRYAN, the most remarkable for its
extent in the history of that organza-
ton, if not in the political history of this
city. SO great and enthusiastic was
it that there was produced something
Of temporary chill in Wall Street and
in the business exchanges generally.
In spite of the proclaimed APATHY"
and the unquestionable indispositon to
get into any excitement over politics, the
registration in both the city and the
State of New York was remarkably great
in 1900, and generally, it was large in the
Union, outside of the Southern States.
The elections in Vermont and Maine last
month indicate that like result is rea-
sonably to be expected this year. 1t is
true that in 1900 the total of the popular
votes was slightly less than in 1895,
instead of showing the usual and nor
NAL increase; but this was explained
almost wholly by a diminution Of the
poll in Southern States. The increase
In New York was about normal.
Why was there, then, 30 great apparent
apathy antecedent to registration and
the election, and why does there seem
TO be now even greater political indif-
ference? 1t proved in 1900 to be due
merely to general confidence in the defeat
Of BRYAN. The people had made up
their minds from the beginning, and they
did not have the stimulation to violent
political discussion which doubt and un-
in their minds would have
Is the explanation of the re-
quiet of this national campaign
the same? 1t seems to be. The betting at
80 great odds on Mr. ROOSEVELT is OBJ
viously proceeding on that assumption.
It is also instructive to see that the odds
against Odellism in the State OF New
York are increasing, and it is not improb-
able that before the sth Of November
hey will be as great as those offered
against PARKER.
The scare" which is expected to come
n the most confident Of Presidential
has not yet appeared but