The sun., 1908-10-15
THE TICKETS IN THE BORDER
STATES.


tuoky political situation than volumes OF
statistics and endless estimates. The
local Democrats last week decided to
parade, but their uniforms failed to come
and the parade was called of. But q
Republican of State magnitude came here
the same day and local band turned out
TO welcome him. Looking from the win
| dows OF their offices the local Republican
newspaper editors beheld three men
marching behind the band and decided
that 1t was the expected Democratic
demonstration.. Having reached this de-
clslon they indulged in much editorial
derision. But alas, 10 was the Republican
politicians encourage. gallant three!
would 1t have been different II the
demonstration had been Democratic''
your correspondent inquired.
well, yes, the Democrats have march
ing Club the members OF which paid
$1.so apiece for their uniforms. If 1t
hadn't rained they might have turned out
to show them
There Is an epitome Of the Kentucky
political Saragossa Seattle calm that
brass bands do not disturb, red fire does
not illuminate. and only new uniforms
make animate
1t was better in West Virginia. where
there was an occasional cheer. and one
sometimes heard the inspiring ribaldry:
Hail. hail, the gang 5 all here Some
how you get the notion that 1the gang
isn't even 'on deck" in Kentucky.
When II comes to drawing q conclusion
as to the result in Kentucky one is left in
much the same position as over the ques-
ton Of Delaware or West Virginia, the
question Of inertia. Kentucky is by
habit but not hopelessly Democratic. and
suggests Virginia in a limited sense.
Therefore one inolines with Kentuckians
TO make the State Democratic by much
the same token that one writes West Vir-
ginia and Maryland down as Republican.
just as it is Taft by something in these
States, it seems Bryan by small major
ity in Kentucky.
In drawing this conclusion one is in
huenced by the obvious fact that the Gold
Democrats here, as elsewhere, have dis
integrated. have ceased to be decisive
factor. 1t is not accurate 10 say that
Bryan is loved more than before in Ken
lucky. What one might say is that he
seems feared less that the original out
burst OF passion has passed, that some
sort OF resignation has succeeded very
distinct form Of indignation.
Yet when one has said that Kentucky
looks Democratic there is much that is
left to be explained. Your Democratic
friends tell you thAt the majority will be
under 10000; some Of them who do not
love their Bryan hint darkly at Taft
ma jority.
THE Republicans are running an effec-
tive gumshoe campaign Is not infre-
quent explanation. They have got some
thing up their sleeve
If one were to make Maryland doubt
full State for the benefit Of Bryan one
would certainly make Kentucky doubt
ful for Taft to the same extent. There
is no talk about landslides. no prophecy
OF big majorities. Neither is there any
enthusiasm either for Mr.. Taft or for Mr..
Bryan. The three men marching after
the band somehow typify ginger as it
is in Kentucky.
There is something in the stolidity OF
this atmosphere In the border States which
ultimately gets on your nerves. Here in
Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky are
three States in which the result is obvious
ly to be close, desperately close, perhaps.
Yet mon talk Of the recent rain, of horse
races, of baseball in its closing phases.
The wanderer from afar gets questioned.
literally bombarded, with inquiries about
New York; but at home there is perfect
peace which not only surpasses human
understanding but defes all political
estimating.
Ask the man in the street:
is any one talking politics in Lexing-
toni
"Yes. II he happens to be politician.
a Federal officeholder or a candidate"
is the prompt answer. But the resident
Of the border States is 'doggoned' II he
knows whether anybody else cares any
thing about it or not.
Most folks are too busy trying to get
their business back TO think about poll
tics is a familiar verdict As theatri-
cal production the conscientious critic,
however much he fears the wrath Of the
managers, is bound TO set down the
National Political Production. 1t simply
does not thrill; there isn't even shiver.
a thrill Of joy or fear along the whole
OF Mason and Dixon's line. You can't
get up a fight over politics and you are
lucky IL you get a cigar.
As to the States, those that are Demo-
cratic seem to be going Democratic.
those that are Republican incline quite
as much to Mr.. Taft. But why talk about
it? 1t is like death in the family, some
thing felt, It may be deeply; but at all
events it is not a matter for the barroom
or the market place, 1t is impossible to
fancy Harvard and Yale crowd mixed
up on the way to race or football game
taking its sides 80 calmly, wearing its
colors 30 much as matter Of habit,
marching Just for the sake Of the new
uniform which cost money; 1t is more
like practice game with tie scrub
In a word, in Kentucky as in West
Virginia the ginger" Is out Of the cam.
paign. the beer has gone fiat, there is
nothing Of eifervescence in it. Here in
Lexington there il an epidemic Of horse
racing You don't find politics drawing
O crowd even in the small tent around
the corner. The local authorities tell you
the campaign has not yet begun, and
there are only three weeks left for be-
Ginning and ending, Could ANYTHING be