, 1908-08-24
GROWS DARK
EVERY DAY
NO REAsoN TO BELIEVE BRYAN
Is GAINING STRENGTH IN ANY
SECTION OF UNION.
Cincinnati Enquirer Laments Failing
Away Of Bryan Interest and Grow
Ing Hope for Republican candI.
date-Rspubiicans United and Pre-
sentIno Solid Front.

The Cincinnati Enquirer publisher
recently a striking editorial comment
ON the national political situation. In
which it makes clear its belief that
Mr.. Bryan has small chance of election
o the presidency.
The editorial follows:
News from the west. from all the
country west OF the Ohio river, gives
ample evidence that in every state of
that vast region the republican party
has divorced i.self from the element
in its RANKS that opposed or failed to
heartily approve Of the policies OF
President Roosevelt.
Ratified by the Party.
What has been termed radicalism
IS now the orthodox faith In each OF
the states of that section. and the
national convention Endorsement OF
that administration and its policies is
rapidly beng ratified by the party In
county, district and state primaries.
THE antiRoosevelt forces Of the
country today in no state of the Union
have any political standing or hold
upon the voters OF the party.
THE bod utterances. the lound crit.
cisms, the abuse and revilings by poll.
ticians and representatives of business
interests have suddenly ceased as
against these policies, backed as they
now are by the party's candidate. the
party Endorsement. popular approval,
magnificent crops, and a renewal of
prosperity.
Are Not Forgetting.
Western republicans have o for
gotten that the ipioneer's security from
the sweeping flames of a prairie fire
was to kindle another that the wind
might send 1t swirling ahead to clear
a refuge. leaving noticing for the ap-
preaching blaze to feed upon. They
seem to have put this into political
practice throughout the west.
1T Is the same play of politics that
saved the democratic organization in
1896, when the storm of popular an
tagonism to the second Cleveland ad-
ministration had swept in 1893, 1894.
and 1895 nearly every state in the
Union into populiism Or republican,
ism. This may save the west now to
the republicans. The men run over
by the party. They may be today of
as little influence In party rule as the
gold democrats in 1896 in their party.
but unlike the gold democrats, they
will organize no bolt, but in doubtful
states and secure states will vote the
Taft electoral ticket.
No Reason to Leave Party.
with Bristow's Interpretation of
republican doctrines in Kansas; Cum
minis standing for Roosevelt policies
in Iowa; La Follette's teachings up
held as party faith In Wisconsin; the
lLincoln-Roosevelt league active In Cal.
~ifornia; the personal staff of Mr.. Taft
standing solidly for the same policies
and teachings in Ohio, there certainly
seems to be no reason for any radical
republican to leave the party and
there Is no sanctuary open for con
servative republicans that offers bet
ter protection than the reconstructed
old home.
AOA al OhAoOhCl T.
see how the democrats can gain re.
publican votes in the west under these
conditions. Their chance was there
three months ago. but the republican
new alignment surely Is now a bar
rier.
No BoItina This Year.
Mr.. Bryan can offer no greater in
ducements than are now offered upoa
the bargain counter of the republican
party in the west. Not an important
radical republican leader has bolted
his party. Why should he under such
favorable conditions to radical ideas?
Not an important conservative repub-
lican can leave, for all other doors are
closed to him.
1T does not look SO favorable to
the democrats in the west as 1t did
one month ago, a fortnight ago, or a