The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-23

are trying hard to fOment. constitutes
the chief reliance Of the Republicans.
They hope to gain many votes betwec1
now and election day by reason Of 1t
and to carry Taft through even II
Watson. who has other than liquor Op-
position, is lost
Temperance Sentiment.
Seven hundred townships in Indiana
out of LOIS are already dry 1t is plain
there are large possibilities in the or
EaEization OF the temperance sentiment
in these dry localities. As many. and
probably more, Of the townships that
have gone dry are Democratic as Re
publican. OF course, II the Democrats
want Bryan more strongly than they
favor the dry movement, they will vote
the Democratic ticket regardless or
State issues. and the Republican hopes
they are building on this revolt OF tire
temperance element VIII fall.
In the larger cities and towns or In
diana, it cannot be doubted Bryan has
great strength. He has gained much
as compared with either 1896 CT 1900
But there is a source Of vast Taft
strength In the country and In the
small towns, among the farmers
and the small stOrekeepers- The
bulk Of the farmers of Indiana must
be set down as Republican. They
have been so I'm the past and they are
likely 10 continue so, for the reason
that prosperity here. as it IS In Iowa.
Kansas. and other States OF the middle
West. IS being shOwered upon them
abunGantly- The corn crop In Indiana
this year has suffered from ury wealth
er. b the prices this fail are mach
highe thar usual and the prices on all
products OF the farm are at the top
notch. Tile best evidence is that the
farmers do not want change More
over. the fact Roosevelt has indorsed
Tart goes Tar with the rural population
of Indiana, despite the fact he has lost
his grip on many Of his former admir-
ers In the urban regions.
The satisfied farmer is going 10 cut a
/ large figure in this Indiana campaign
and this IS fact that has been often
overlooked, owing TO the constant talk
I heard about Increased Democratic
strength in the cities ard large towns
Bryan's Handicap.
! Bryan lost Indiana in 1886 by over
Is O0O. and IN 1900. by over 5000 Nor
maIIy, Indiana is Republican by about
10000. This gives Mr. Taft large
advantage TO start with, though there
| are about 10000 votes IN the State and
the normal Republican lead might be
overcome without a change OF landslide
proportions. still. with the farmers
standing FOR Taft, as there is reason 20
! believe they viii. and with much OF the
( business element in the cities doubtful
| about Bryan. It may well be doubted
/ whether the Peerless Leader can cap
! ture the electoral vote OF this State
/ one source OF weakness to the Repuo-
/ Iican state ticket. which has in some de-
] gree hindered the national ticket IS
/ the fact there has been trouble between
/ Watson and Senator Albert J. BeFer-
idge. Beyeridge has made but one
: speech In the campaign thus Tar IN In
/ diana He looked on Watson as a rival
for the Senate. But lately there was
a conference and a truce. and watson
J and Beverage have each sounded the
I others praises. Watson viii not oppose
Reverldge's return TO the Senate Bev-
! eridgp viii campaign u Indiana later
/ and IL cannot be doubted he IS a good
Republican aSSe-.
I Nfuch talk has been heard OF the ne
gro vote I'm Indiana going against IafI
N the State are 1900 colored voters,
/ For the most part they Will vote TOT
Taft and Will not support Bryan.
/ Indiana has always been used 20 see
ing liberal expenditures OF money IN
/ close campaigns Talk is that the Re
2 r1lblican national committee Will turn
. loose a large food OF IL here So FAR,
! the state committee has received no aid
I and there is a report that National
. Chairman Hitchcock. believing the
( State would be for Taft, would give no
/ money. II is known. however, eE-Gov-
/ eruor Durbiu has gone East after aid
. tatus IT, II it comes, the Republican
I campaign managers, who have had a
IharE road to hoe thus far, VIII teel
{ greatly encouraged