The Washington times., 1908-09-01
Isis of Both Parties Show
Just How Uncertain Out
come Is Now.
NEW YORK HOLDS
KEY TO RESULT
Where battle-ground Will Be Can
not Be Foretold Accurately
at This Time.
By 7. c. wELLIvER.


Republican and a Democratic list.
placed side by side for comparison, sug-
gest some OF the uncertainties of this
campaign at the present date. The truth
is that IL has not so far taken shape
that there is any basis of agreement
as 10 the States when In the latter
weeks or the contest will constitute the
debatable ground.
The Republican list OF doubtful States
at this time is headed by Nebraska;
then in about the order of their admit
ted uncertainty come Indiana, Tennes-
see. Kentucky. Missouri, New York. Illi-
nois, and Ohio Colorado appears in
some lists, and so does Montana. But
they are not considered important, on
the Republican side, because they are
not exactly necessary for success, in
any Of the Republican calculations.
on the other hand. the Democratic list
places Indiana first, New York second
and includes wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois.
Nebraska, Colorado, Maryland, West
Virginia. California, New~Jersey, Iowa,
Minnesota. both Dakotas and Idaho.
Connecticut and Utah appear in some
lists, and in all discussions.
Nebraska Uncertain.
The Republicans admit that Nebraska
IS uncertain; the Democrats insist that
II is certain 10 be Democratic Repub-
licaus admit some uncertainties about
Indiana: Democrats confidently claim It,
Republicans claim a chance to win Ten
nessee and Missouri and Kentucky;
Democrats rank that trip of border
States as certain for Bryan. Democrats
say they have a good chance for West
Virginia; Republicans laugh at the idea
Democrats are confident Of Colorado
and Montana; Republicans count Colo
rado safe for Taft. and Montana really
uncertain. Both sides talk with appar-
ent .conddence-for publication-about
getting New York by 10000: and both
sides, in private conversation, admit
that the State is very uncertain.
California is rated by the Republicans
as a rock-rIbbed Tart state; the Demo-
Gratis always list il as one OF their
promising prospects. Wisconsin IS
claimed by the Democrats 70 be one
Of the most uncertain States IN the
Union, while Republicans say 1t is good
for a big majority for TAFT.
Republicans list Maryland as certain
for Taft, while the Democrats say that
when BRYAN has made his tour II the
State II VIII line up for him safely.
Makes Republicans Laugh
Illinois and Ohio always cause mtrth
among Republicans. when they are
mentioned in a doubtful list; Demo-
crats persist in regarding them as
doubtful, and declare that the candi-
dates for governor and Senator, on
The Republican side, are even now ap-
peaIing to their national committee Tor
aid. That Senator Hopkins IS either
worrying or else crying wolf in order
To get assistance that Will make assur-
ance dOubly sure, is well known The
Senator has not made any virtue OF
overwhelming the situation. He mas
been admitting that as to State affairs,
the state was in bad shape, and that
unless something were done tor II the
national authorities might presently
awaken TO realize that the national tick
et also was involved IN the uncertainty.
Out of all this list of alleged doubtful
States, it Is impossible at this stase 20
make one on which a disinterested OBJ
server would care tu stake ais reputa-
ton as a prophet. But granting that
conditions later may change present Sit
Uations, IL seems FAIR 90 say that these
States are reaaly dOuDtful.
Nebraska, indiana, New YORK. Ten
ressee, Colorado, Montana, and WiscOn-
sin.
Probably Republican.
In making this restricted list, it is
assumed that unless a landslide. such
as is hardly to be expected from any
manifestations thus far. shall change
the situation. Ohio. Illinois. New Jersey,
West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas. and Min
nesota will he Republican. 1t is like
wise conceded that Missouri Ken
tUCky, and Georgia Will be Democratic.
Perhaps Georgia is as safely Demo-
cratic as these three; but news from
there has been giving Informed Dem
ocrdts considerable real concern. Cal
o Mornia Is set down as altogether like
ly TO be Republican, especially in view
Of r- M IN
present Democrats plans TO make an
especial struggle for the State. If Mr..
Bryan and his managers had serious
hopes of the far Western States, it is
suggested, he would probably find time
to make a trip to talk TO their people.
He used 10 be very strong out there.
ANY reasonable confidence that his
strength has been revived would seem
10 justify visiting them in the course
Of the campaign.
Bryan's Politics Clever.
Mr.. Bryan is conceded to be playing
his politics cleverly and with intell-
gence this year He is going to talk
in Nebraska, Kansas Iowa the Da-
kOtas. Minnesota Wisconsin, Illinois,
Indiana, Ohio, New York. and Rhode
Island. The developments of the cam
paign may increase the list; but thus
IT stands at present; and IL Is a pretty
good testimonial to M. Bryan idea
of the fighting ground.
The Republicans are no longer de-
nying that something very like the
Bryan scare of August and September
1886. has struck their ranks within the
last fortnight. They set out blithely
from Chicago to so through the mo-
tions OF a campaign, bu- most of them
regarding IL as pretty much nonsense;
they would win in a walk. The trend
OF things since that time has been cal
CulaJed TO increase Democratic aad de-
crease Republican confidence that Il
Fil be no such easy victory
Iowa has been slowed away IN the Re
publican column with a good majority
opposite the name by the Republican
calculators, as a result or the harmony
conference the other day, al which Re
publicans agreed that the Legislature
should be called in special session, the
state primary law snouId be amended,
ard a new primary should be held TO
nominate a candidate for Senator IN
place of Allison 1t is aCce pied that
Governor Cummins viii he the nominee
When he is once the party nominee,
the national organization vii. be IN
shape tC take a strong hand 10 help
him, and this is just what il viii do.
Harmony VIII be promoted IN Iowa BY
the use of the big stick, If necessary.
Democrats claim Minnesota.