The Washington times., 1916-10-04
Politicians Miss the 0ld-time
Frenzy Effervescing Into
Torch-Light Parades.
SENATE SEEMS DEMOCRATIC
Present Indications Give Presi-
dency and Control Of House
\ to Republicans.

Five weeks from yesterday the coun-
try will elect President. Vice Presi-
dent. third OF the Senate, and a new
House Of Representatives. and an cnd-
less array of State and local officials
will be selected.
With the campaign but a little dis
lance from its closing stages. there Ia
a surprising amount Of uncertainty
about the outcome, and an amount OF
indifference such as Is unusual in a
Presidential campa' gn.
Since the Maine election there has
been much Increase in interest as ccm-
pared with the lack OF interest before
that election. Nevertheless, political
workers report an abnormal amount of
apathy.
Old Time Frenzy Lacking.
Partly because of the distractions OF
the European war, partly because OF
the absorption of men In their own per-
sonal affairs at time when there IL a
revival of business, and for other rea-
sons. II Is impossible to get the voters
wrought up to the old-fashloned frenzy
when the torchlight parade and the old
time rally were the things that drew
the folks together for miles around.
The fact there Is go much Indifference
or seeming indifference, however, will
cause the campaign managers In the
closing weeks of the struggle to re-
double their efforts and from now on
TO election day, the hardest kind OF
work will be done. Some of II will be
with n blare of trumpets. Most OF II
Will be of the gumshoe variety.
Present indications as to the outcome
of the election are that Hughes will be
elected President over Wilson, that the
House will be Republican. but that the
Democrats will remain In control of the
Senate.
Senate Seems Democratic.
Nothing but a landslide will give the
Senate to the Republicans. 1t is true
many Republican leaders say such 6
landslide is coming. but otherwise tn,
Democratic lead in the upper hous,
cannot be overcome. Both Congress
siOnal committees are working diligentl!
and desperately. The Republicans ar,
doing lot OF organizing to capture botl
House and Senate. The Democrats ar,
trying to hold the House. though not a
all convinced they will do so, and ar
fo:tifying themselves against loss o
the Senate.
Republican Congressional campaign
committee leaders say they stand
good how to win the Senate in spite o
the odds against them. Their gain o
q Senator In Maine. when Senator John
son was beaten. has encouraged them
still, they must make a net gain o
eight more and this would be a remarN
able achievement.
The political battle over the Presi
dency. though It is important in man
States, will center chiefly from now OF
In small group OF States.
New York Battle Ground.
New York. as usual, will be a grea
battle-ground. The Democrats are max
e an o.
less they can do so, their prospects 70
re-electing President Wilson are poor
The Republicans, conscious OF the i'm
portance of the huge vote Of New Yor
In the Electoral College, are sparin
no exertions there.
Il Is not at all unlikely that the cleo
mon. aware Of their need of 1t, hav
been working hard in recent weeks I
placate Tammany. In fact. they hav
been at work on this line for man
embarrassed by the need OF Tammany'
vote and by the fact that II II mad
an alliance openly with Tammany
would be criticised In the rest of tn
country.
Group of Close States.
Other States where the fighting fror
now to November will be fast and fur
Gus are New Jersey. Ohio. Indiana. Ne
braska and Illinois. The fact that III
Wilson candidate for the Senate wa
beaten In New Jersey by Senate
MARITIME has encouraged the Republican
greatly. They believe now they ca
sweep both New York and New Jerse,
The struggle in Ohio is a hard one
The Republicans stand the best sho,
to win. but the Democrats by no mean
concedo this. The fact Senatorshi
IN at stake adds to the intensity of III
contest. Illinois looks Republican II
diana is too close for the comfort {
anyone. and how II will come out o
the Presidency. is a guess. The r,
publican chances OF gaining one or tw
Senator'S there are growing better.
As for Nebraska, the President wi
make this State on his Western trI
and endeavor to hold II for the Demo
Gratis.
How Democrats Figure:
Democratic estimates are that Wilso
has a good chance Of 1877 electoral vote
needing 50 more to win. New Yor