The Washington times., 1908-10-01
EAST SHOWS IGNORANCE
OF POLITICS IN WEST
Writer, After Trip Across Country, Declares Bryan Is
Defeated Now, and That the West Is Not
for Him
By 7. c. wELLIvER

This year he said. he hasn't a ghost
Gives His Reasons.
! asked HIM why, and he told me
ne btsed his opinion on the sentiments
expressed by travelling men who put
up there. he then volunteers 10 keen
a poll during twenty-four hours. Of the
commercial men registered. The result
was that Just one man expressed MS
intention Of voting for Bryan. while at
least twenty declared for Taft The ore
man who was going 10 vote for Rrvan
said the RepJ licans ought TO have
nominated Hughes, whom he would
have supported.
Inquiry AT "a SECOND class hotel re-
vealed a stronger septiment for Bryan.
But the clerks lack lof interest in the
political situation colvineed me that
certa-aly not % per cent or the com
mercial travellers who put I'D there were
advocating Bryan's eiecdIon.
As TO the sentiment apOng business
men, replied largely on the statement
made by one Of the officers Of the
( leading organizations Of retail trades
men. L voted for Bryan twice, ne
told me and 1 am afraid IL am going
biased opinion. II the election were
held today. Bryan would have an ex-
cellent chance Of carrying Indiana He
would also run WELL IN my Opinlo IN
the middle West. But before election,
firmly believe, the tide Will set In
against him. "
Before Tide Turned.
This observation was made before tPe
tide had actually and vislbly turn4d
against Bryan. The same man vent
on 10 say that he did not know a single
business man or employe who was.
going 10 vote for Bryan. he added.
however. that the gold Democrats were
returning 10 the Democratic party.
This was Immediately after Taft had
made his trip across Ohio II was a
new experience for a Republican candi-
date, and he disappointed his followers,
particularly in his rear-platform speech
es. These were too argumentatiVe and
3abOred- Since then, the Tide has un-
questionably turned. The President IN
fused much needed ginger into the cam
paign by the statement In which ne
quoted Taft's letter declining TO make ii
deal with Foraker. This letter paTLlCu-
larry pleased the Wisconsin radicals,
and Representative Cooper Of that State
quoted from il with telling effect. in
introducing Taft al BelOit and Jams
vile. Then Senator La Toilette, who
had been unjuStly accused OF giving lip
service only 10 Taft. numbered him
among the elect, when at Madison he
told his followers that Taft was pro-
gTessive. That IS the watchword for
political righteousness In Wisconsin. as
IL is in Iowa and other States Of the
central valley.
Due to Roosevelt.
The change in the situation has been
due, hrsJ. 80 RoOsevelts mastery Of
Bryan. In the middle West Bryan's
first telegram 10 the President caused
much Uneasinoss. AnxiousIy. RepubIi-
can headers whispered 10 one another,
has Roosevelt got the goodsg To the
unconcealeJ JOY Of Mr. Taft adEerents.
the President came back with them He
demolished Bryan's claim 10 heirship iu
the Roosevelt policies. TEenCefoTth. the
lines were clearly drawn between ROoSe-
yeltism and Organism Il was the Esy-
Geological moment for Taft. taking ad-
vantage Of all the suggestions made 10
him, and rising TO the occasion ds no
man. save. possibly. Hughes, had done.
had started on a mos. successful cam
paign tour. His speacEes were above
criticism, but more stili, he was sho---
ing himself 10 the people IN a most en-
gaElnS manner, making friends on every
hand.
All That Is Essential.
This was all that was essential from
a Republican point OF view. II the
country but knew Taft. a fair choice
could he made between he two Presi-
dental candidates. or them. Taft is
running on his record. while Bryan is
running away from his record That is
the slogan Of the Republican campaign
summed up \ fortnight ago Taft
had the natural advantage. but Bryan
was forcing the fighting. today BRYAN
Is defeated candidate That is tina
message which the West sends 70 the
East, auG which. strange 10 say, the
East seems 10 be somewhat unwilling
TO receive. Taft is the choice OF The
East; II Will learn IN ample time that
he is also the choice Of the West %.