Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-10
Party Leaders Unable to Ex-
plain Small Attendance at
Campaign Talks.
BIG ORATORS BOOKED
TO LIVEN THINGS UP
Eight-Hour Law Subject Of Discus
sion and Divided 0pinion-Bull
Moose Vote Sought.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. September s.
Careful diagnosis OF the case OF the In
diana voting pubic att this particular
time probably would disclose the fact
that q political hookworm has taken
polite, and that 1t is responsible for the
peace and quiet of the people politi-
cally.
There Is an unusual condition in IN
diana AS a general thing, at this time
Of campaign year all parties are up
and at 1t. and the people all 'het up"
There Is nothing of that kind now
Indiana is a quiet state politically.
The people refuse to become excited. At
overexertion thus far.
True, the politicians are busy, and the
organizations are working as If their
lives depended on the result. But that Is
~ far as the excitement extends
Political Apathy Shown.
II is practically impossible to drum
up crowd for political meeting any
where in the state. This condition Is
not confined to any particularparty. All
parties are having the same experience.
them can understand what is the mat
ter.
In q few instances republicans and
out good-siZed crowds for meetings. In
each Of these cases the political meet
ing was accompanied with barbecue,
4 bean dinner or some other CASTRO
nonic sideshow that appealed to the
hungry voter. Aside from these few
affairs OF the kind there has been a
notable number of small crowds at
meetings throughout the state.
Organization meetings are well attended,
but they draw only the political workers.
who always attend such gatherings
County chairmen and precinct committee
men may always be depended upon to
turn out for an organization meeting.
Democrats and republicans alike profess
to BE- well satisfied with the organization
meetings they have been holding. But
they are not satisfied with the size Of the
crowds at their public meetings.
Explanation Not at Hand.
II the party managers and workers
could find reason for this apparent
Of the public they would enjoy a more
peaceful frame OF mind. The question
raised by this condition is: What does it
mean? Does it mean that the people
have their minds made up as to what they
mean that they are waiting for later
developments to frame up their course
Of action?
II it means that the people have made
up their minds, then what are they GO
ing to do? Democrats say that it means
the voters have thoroughly decided to
support Wilson, and that nothing the
opposition can say will cause them to
change their minds on that point They
profess to believe that II such were not
tho case the peoplye would be willing
to listen to argument from the repub-
leans. It seems as IL the democrats are
quito well satisfied with the phenomenon
Of Indiana people displaying a lack of
interest in a campaign, because Indiana
always has been famous for its political
activity In campaign times.
Republicans insist that the Quietude
OF the situation Is encouraging to them.
because It shows that the people have
made up their minds to vote against
Wilson. Republicans say the people
have had enough OF Wilson and his ad-
ministration. and that the people have
SO determined for themselves, and that
they are only waiting for November to
come so they may cast their ballots for
Hughes.
Whatever the reason and whatever 1t
II
And just think Of that being the case
in Indiana!
Big Orators Are Booked.
All parties are getting ready to i'm
port into Indiana their heaviest orator
ical artillery, In the hope that these
speakers may awaken the voters. The
first big meeting on the program now
Is the notification OF Vice President
Marshall. which will take place in this
city on September II. Following this
meeting, the Vice President will make
a campaign tour Of the state and mako
one speech in each OF the thirteen con-
gressional districts. About q dozen
democratic senator's and twenty or
more members Of Congress will make 1
democratic speeches in Indiana.
The republicans have been assured
that Charles e. Hughes will devote not
less than two days. and possibly more, |
to Indiana, and he Is expected to make |
not less than fifty speeches on his spe-
cial train dash over the state. They |
are also assured that Theodore Roose- |
welt and W. H. Taft win be among the |
other speakers. and that senators and |
members OF Congress galore will cut !
loose In this state.
Raymond Robins Of Illinois. progress
sive leader, will make speeches in In |
diana for Hughes, and the democrats |
say they are assufed that Bainbfidge |
Colby Of New York. also b progressive |
leader. viii make speeches Tor Wilson. |