The Washington times., 1908-09-18
BRYAN is ENCOURAGED
BY RECEPTION INEAST
Crowds That Flock to Hear Democratic Candidate and
Enthusiasm Shown in Enemys Country
Inspire Hope to Nebraskan's Followers.

NHN YORK, Septs 1s-In his invasion
Of the +. ST, William J. Bryan has now
spoken IL the Ohio valley. in West vir-
glnla, IN Maryland. Pennsylvania, Della
aware, New jersey, and New York.
Since h entered the "enemy's country
a multitude Of observers, politicians.
and others have been trying to analyze
his reception at different points and to
study the Bryan sentiment. Is the Bryan
cause hopeless in the East or is it not?
This is the question everyone wants
answered and the answer 10 which is
not easy.
On the one hand, the Brya- admirers
see in their fancy returns in November
that will roll the Democratic candidate
into the White House by a majority
such as would satisfy a Roosevelt,
They have visions of a landslide and
talk of a great popular upheaval against
the rule Of the Republican party. On
the other hand, Jealous Republicans are
wont TO declare thr. Bryan has no
chance. that overwhelming defeat alone
IS in store for him. Taft VIII be elected
by a bigger vote than Roosevelt Is, for
instance, a common expression from Re
publican enthusiasts. Neither Of these
views Is warranted by what has de-
veloped In the course Of the campaign,
at least by the developments OF Mt.
Bryan's tour thus rar.
Vote May Be Close.
The truth appears TO be th2t an over
whelming victory for either candidate
would seem. as things stand now, 10
be unlikely. The signs point 10 q
closer vote this year than IN the last
three Presidential campaigns. Certain
ly. there is. at this time. little TO indi-
cate that Bryan viii be buried under
any such avalanche Of votes rs Parker
was buried under IN 1904 One hears IN
every State talk from conservative
sources that Bryan is stronger than in
his previous campaigns. In his trip
through the East thus far. he has been
received ip more open-handed fashion
than he was in 1896 or in 1860. As a
rule. larger crowds have turned out 20
see and hear him, according 20 reliable
observers, and more enthusiasm has
been shown for him. He would seem
to be scheduled for a bigger vote IN
the East than he has hitherto received
At almost every place ne has stopped
since he entered West Virginia. NIr
Bryan has been told that the drift gas
in his direction. and this from all sorts
Of people. While this is not impartial
evidence. the large amount Of talk OF
this kind IN the States Mr.. Bryan has
been since he crossed the AIIeghenies
entities il at least 70 examination and
consideration. particularly wuen il is
well known that the sentiment in sOmt
OF the Western States, through which
Bryan has toured, is such as 10 entitIC
them 10 be classed as doubtful.
Needs New York.
Mr.. Bryan talks 1t various times
about winning the election without ;ht
aid Of votes East Of the AIlegheuiss. hui
without landslide ne cannot ac-ou-
ulish anything withuut material helT
from New York. Horeo -er. New I0Il
would seem TO be about he only rag,
Eastern State, with the possible eXcep-
lion Of Maryland and West Virginia. in
which q. determined rEnt might throw
/ the vote to Bryan, Maryland and NeS
virginia must be TlTNed rs III he Is
| Of the ''figF ung chance States. New
/ Jersey canI OF be "a liked as a ETyaT
State I'm vie-v Of the known colducss {.
some OF the Democratic leaders, par
ticuIarIy former Senator Smith SmIu
doesn't exactly have the DemOcra y O
New Jersey in his rest pocket, But ht
/ las a large share Of Il there. He a1l
hts Heutenants are not friendly 10 Bry
an and they are doing no work for him
Mr.. Bryan got a huge crowd at Wash