Evening star., 1916-07-25
Party Managers Concede
President Wilson's Strength
With the People.
RECORD IN LEGISLATION
ASSET FOR DEMOCRATS
Mr.. Hughes Friends Closely Study
ing Situation to Make Effective
Campaign Of Refutation.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

NEW YORK, July ga re-
publican politician of nationwide
prominence, but not at present
associated with the national man
agement Of the party, in discuss
ing the republican outlook, said
today to The Stars correspond
ent:
Viewed broadly, the outlook
would seem doubtful, but as the
states are considered in detail, it
looks like Hughes
This seeming paradoxical statement
he then went on to explain. He said
that republicans in touch with public
sentiment and who do not permit them
realize that President Wilson is strong
in the country, due largely, 1t is
thought. to the feeling that at first
blush the people are inclined to give
him credit for keeping the country
out Of war" This feeling, he said. they
do not stop to analyze at present and
in due time, Of course, the republican
campaigners will dissect it.
Strong Legislative Record.
For the time. however. 1t is a psyche
logical condition which must be recog-
nized and placed to the credit OF the
party in power. Furthermore, he went
on to say, the democrats have a rec
ord Of legislation accomplished which
they will feature strongly and which
will weight as an asset promises and
platforms. It remains for the repub-
licans to prove that 1t is bad legisla-
ton. and in the meantime the admin
istration is innocent until found guilty.
But coming to details, he went on
to say, that. as the states are taken
up in order, the republican leaders ev-
erywhere find nothing but encourage
ment for their expectation of a repub-
lican victory. He had been in touch
local managers. getting their bedrock
estimates. New York Is regarded as
surely republican by heavy majority.
running over hundred thousand
The same conditions which would
bring such results. in the Judgment Of
republican forecasters. would swing New
Jersey ana Connecticut into line for
the republicans. Maryland and Ken
lucky are admittedly doubtful. but the
lucky. where the democrats won by
less than 700. makes. that state good
fighting ground.
Estimates &C, 600 in Ohio.
Ohio, according to the closest esti-
mates coming to the national man
ayers. he said. should 60 republican
by at least 10000 and more likely
by $4,000. and 1t would be assumed
that q state Of public sentiment Of
that nature In Ohio should find refiec-
tion in Indiana suf1cient to carry the
Hoosier state into the republican col
umn.
Kansas and Nebraska are counted as
surely republican as well as Minnesota.
while Missuori Is to be contested as
as Maine. illinois. the re-
pubiieans put In their safe column as
This republican said that he and his
colleagues realize that the republicans
have handicap in the lack Of vital
issues. if the tariff fails to appeal to
an appeal to general satisfaction
with the democratic party and depend
ence upon a contrast of personalities
in the respective heads OF the national
ticket.
OF course. the mainstay Of the re-
publican hope in practical considera-
tions is the fact that in 1912 there were
a million and half more republican
votes. combining the progressives and
regulars. than there were democrats.
and this excess was found mainly in
the most important state with the
largest electoral vote.
Mexico to Be an Issue.
II Is becoming more evident every
day that the campaign managers pro-
pose to make the Administrations han
ding of Mexican affairs a chief issue.
am told that Mr.. Hughes. in his
speech Of acceptance. intends to criti-
else the administrators corner stone
Of legislative Accomplishment. the fed
era1 reserve act
In another chapter. the expectations
and theories Of democrats would be set
forth. as. in the opinion of party mana
gers, there is no lack Of confidence
among the democrats. although the
most cautious of them are not deluding
themselves with the idea that victory
has already perched on their banner.
though they think the bird is hutter-
ing over them and getting ready to
aiight