Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1908 — SENATOR SLACK’S ESTIMATE. [ARTICLE]

SENATOR SLACK’S ESTIMATE.

Thinks Bryan's Majority in Indiana Will be More Than 20,000. Senator L. Ert Slack, of Franklin, who opposed Thomas R. Marshall in the race for the Democratic governorship nomination, is spending the last week of the campaign making speeches in the interest of the Democratic party and Mr. Marshall in the latter’s district. Senator Slack, during the campaign, has made speeches In nearly every part of the State. He was in Indianapolis a short time Monday on his way to Mr. Marshall’s district. While there Senator Slack made the statement that the majority of Bryan in Indiana will be more than 20,000, and that the majority for the State ticket will be larger than the electoral ticket. The State ticket majority will reach a high point, he declares, / because there is a great dissatisfaction over the State with the Republican ticket and with Governor Hanly. “I have been speaking in every section of Indiana except Mr. Marshall’s district,” said Senator Slack, “and I was really astonished at the Republican disaffection. I have found Democratic gains all the way from three to seventy to the precinct. It is my opinion the temperance Democrats of the rural districts have more confidence in Marshall than temperance Republicans have in Watson. Voters in general

are being convinced that the passage of the county option was thrust upon them more by a desire to make political capital than from a purely moral standpoint. In my talks with individual temperance voters, I find they can not understand why an expensive special session was held to get county option when it is not used and will not be used until after the regular session, next January. “Some even say they believe it was passed to be used as a weapon to drive the brewers to support the Republican ticket as in prior campaigns, and since there have been attempts made along that line, it has reacted against the Republicans in many places. Doubt as to the sincerity of the Republicans has operated against them, both in the State and national campaigns. The people are demanding sincerity, and this particular element found in both Marshall and Bryan largely accounts, for their great popularity in Indiana.” Senator Slack says he finds that both the farmers and the laborers are dissatisfied with the present conditions, and he believes that the laborers will not be coerced into voting a certain way.