The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-05
CLAIMS the HOUSE.
CHAIRMAN LLOYD RELIEVES
THE DEMOCRATS WILL MAKE
GAINS.
Looks to the Middle West-Neither
congressional Committee Has Re-
cciVed Much Money Up to the Pres.
cnt Time.

ONN ~ Uc HeIU tomorrow 1t
would increase the number of Demo-
cratic members of the house of rem
resentatives by 35 and have a good
working majority"
This is the prediction of Represent
ative James T. Lloyd, chairman of
the Democratic congressional COM
mittee, just back from a trip through
the West. during which he noted
carefully the progress Of the prelimi-
naries OF the campaign to elect a
Democratic house. Mr.. Lloyd left
Washington confident that enough
congressional districts would be
changed to overcome the present Re-
publican majority. but he says he
found the outlook better than he had
expected.
West Of the Allegheny Noun
tains," said Mr.. Lloyd today, "the
air is full Of Democracy. When you
come east Of this natural division a
Democrat is likely to experience a
slight chill. Conditions all through
the West are excellent from our point
Of view. We shall make Democratic
gains in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Ken
lucky, Wisconsin, Montana, Califor-
MIA, Iowa. Missouri and Nebraska.
There are some other States in which
we are working where changes in the
representation are not improbable"
After this week the Democratic
congressional campaign for the Mid
die West and toward the Pacific slope
will be directed from Chicago, where
Chairman Lloyd will open headquar-
ters in a few days. Representative
Frank Clark, Of Florida, will remain
In charge Of the Washington head
quarters and have charge Of the cam
paign in the East. This will also be
the headquarters for the literary bu-
reau, which is sending out great
quantities Of matter. While the great
fight for Democratic gains will be
made in the West. the East will not
be neglected where there seems to be
an opportunity to win. A campaign
Is being organized in three Maine
districts, among them that formerly
represented by Representatives Little
field, where the committee think they
have a chance for success. Little has
been done in New York, where the
work is largely conducted by local
managers. The Democratic congres.
sional districts are in New York city,
where there is little need for the aid
Of the committee. The situation in
New York is being closely observed.
with the idea Of breaking i'm II
there appears to be a chance, through
local complications. OF making gains.
Great interest is expressed in the
outcome Of the New York State con-
vention to nominate a candidate for
governor. Democrats who come to
Washington speculate upon the prob
ability Of the nomination of Governor
Hughes and the attitude of Republi-
can leaders should this result. ~,
will they nominate Hughes and
then defeat him?" asked Mr.. Lloyd
today.
Upon the action Of the Republicans
will largely depend the plans Of the
Democrats in New York. The selec.
ton of New Yorker as Bryan's cam
paign manager has instilled new hope
in them. and those who had given up
the State before Mr.. Mack's selec-
ton now turn with hopeful approval
to his record for success.
"Oh, no, we are not discussing
that" said Representative Lloyd to-
day. when asked il the Democratic
party had decided to join in cam
paign publicity.
There is no indication that either
OF the congressional committees will
make their receipts and expenditures
public. The size Of the contributions
up to this time would make them al.
most ashamed to do so. Neither one
has enough money to make a good
start.
1t has been suggested that with the
two committees working in close un-
ion it may be found after election,
when the balance sheets are publish
ed, that there have been some entries
on the books of the national commit
tee like this:
Received from congress
sional committee, $4,000.
This, it is said, while not the di-
rection the transfer OF the funds gen.
era'ly runs, is not impossible as
way Of shielding timid contributors