Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-11-16
Our friend of the Democrat. in his last

Our friend of the Democrat. IN his last
weeks issue, undertook to be jolly over the
result of the late election, and exultingly
exclaimed that 1.-the official returns show
that the city of Watertown is still Demo-
cratic and gave Douglas warm and hearty
support jast as though he were sur
prised and it were an unusual thing for
WATERFOWL to vote in that way. Any one
at all familiar with the politics of this city
knows that it has always Been hopelessly
Democratic. and that the Republicans here
have always fought against great odds
Let US 60 back and see if this is not SO.
In 1856, Buchanan s majority over Free
mont was +7S. while Hobart for Congress,
beat B.lIinghurst $40, Rankin for Sheriff,
went out of the city 512 ahead of Crane,
and the rest of the Democratic county
ticket run about in the same way. In
1857, Cross, for Governor, beat Randall
264. while Jones for Secretary Of State,
and the other Democratic candidates had
an average majority of 800. In 1858,
| Larrabee, for Congress, led Billinghurst
247. and Giles for Sheriff beat Weed 317.
Schnasse for Register, had a majority over
Struve Of 34S, and the remainder Of the
Democratic county ticket had an average
majority of about 300 In 1859, Hobart
for Governor, got majority over Randall
of 374, Palmer for Lieut.. Governor. led
Noble 405, and the remainder Of the Dem
ocratic State ticket went ut of the city
with an average majority of 400.
So that it is in no wise remarkable that
Watertown should this fall have gone
Democratic. To be sure, the Republicans
have twice Gin '5S and '59)succeeded in
electing member of Assembly, but that
was done through discussions in the Demo-
cratic ranks and by the aid of Democratic
votes These results could not have been
brought about had the Democracy pulled
true and not frittered away their strength
on third candidate or voted directly for
a Republican.
But in 1860, We find matters with our
Democratic friends in a little different
shape. Douglas now gets majority III
the city of only 1S1, Larrabee a majority
of 1873, Of, Democratic Sheriff, MAORI
ty of 1872, and Prentiss, for Member of As
sembly. majority of 1874. which is the
highest vote given to any Of the Democrat
ic candidates Ga tie other hand Bud
long for Clerk of the Board, gets ma
jority Of only 50, and Barber, Republican,
for District Attorney, carries the city by
50. 1t Looks to US, therefore, just as
though Democracy is getting unpopular
here, as the general result of the late elcc-
ton shows that it is elsewhere, and that
the days of Democratic victories in the city
of Watertown are about numbered We
shall never be called upon to chronicle an
other majority Of 500 here for any Demo
cratic candidate. We expect in two years
from this time to see the Republicans car
ry the city by small majority, and that
in four years Watertown will be reckoned
upon as Republican city just as surely
and Enthusiastically as Chicago is now. We
do not see how it can be otherwise. The
Democratic strength has been gradually,
but none the less certainly, wasting away
for the last four yeas, and it will continue
thus to decline until there is nothing of it
left.