The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1908-09-02
HOOS|ER STATE
IS DOUBTFUL
Continued from page ~

with the party forces that were ac-
customed to win victories in the
eighties and earlier nineties. 1t
would seem that If any Indianian
could have been named at Denver
who could be depended upon to at
tract Hoosier votes for the national
ticket, that man was John W. Kern.
Yet Kern has never been conspi-
cuous as vote-getter. The mere
for the governorship of Indiana
does not, perhaps, mean much, for
those defeats came in the over
whelming republican years of 1900
and 1904. None the less, in 1904 his
opponent was supported in but a
fashion by large num-
bers Of republicans, and though MI.
Kern made fight which will not
soon be forgotten in the state, he
was defeated by some $4,000 votes
and ran barely ahead of the national
candidates, Parker and Davis. 1t
would seem that he is one of those
unfortunate politicians whom every
body likes, but who, more or less
unaccountably, is never quite able
to convert this pleasing popularity
into preponderance of votes. The
candidacy Of Mr.. Kern will unques-
tionably add zest to the democratic
campaign in Indiana, but, SO far as
can be discerned to date, it does not
give promise Of weighing very heav-
does not appear that the candidacy
of Mr.. Fairbanks had much to do
with the sweeping republican VIC
tory of four years ago. In truth, the
votes of Hoosierdom are not SO cas-
lily lured by the ice-presidential
bait as seems to be commonly sup
posed.
Another factor of somewhat
special sort that many believe will
be of considerable Importance In
the forthcoming election is the in
dustrial and business depression
which Is more or less in evidence in
this state. 1t may be doubted wheth-
er the recent reaction in the business
world has been felt anywhere more
seriously than in Indiana.
The question that naturally pre-
sents itself to the political observer
is, what effect may these conditions
be expected to have upon the forth
coming election? On every side one
will hear from democrats the pre-
dietion that this epoch of stagna-
ton, falling as 1t has in republican
times, will turn the votes of thous-
ands of laboring men from the re.
publican to the democratic candi-
dates. 1t is hard to escape the con
viction that there will be a tenden-
cy in this direction.
The one thing, however, which
more than any other makes the out
come of the campaign in Indiana an
absolute uncertainty is the over
shadowing temperance" question
which already appears to have crow.
ded practically all other issues into
the background In common with
other states, Indiana has long been
agitated by Troublesome questions
connected with the sale and use OF
Intoxicating liquors. but never be-
fore has the subject been allowed
- completely to monopilze the poll
tical thought and effort Of the com
monwealth.
The republicans have put them.
selves ON record as favoring "coun-
ty local option, which leaves the
counties to decide the liquor ques-
ton for themselyes-and pledged
Themselves, ii successful 1t
the polls. to enact Legislation
adequate for the Inauguration OF this
improved system. The democrats de-
clared merely for local option Of the
old sort, by townships and wards.
There is, therefore, going to be local
option, whatever happens in No
vember; the question is merely one
OF the larger or smaller unit by
which 1t shall be applied. But this
question IL vital one, and in the
ensuing campaign. there is going to
be no issue which will stir the poll
'icians and the people as will this
one.