Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-07-29
The Coming Elections.

The New York Sun, Republican. SAYS
General elections are to be held In about
dozen States before next November. The re-
suits will be eagerly watched by politicians
because of their real or supposed bearings upon
the Presidential contest Of text year. The
first of these elections occurs in kentucky on
the first Tuesday Of August, when Governor
and other State officers aud Legislature arc
to be chosen. The Republicans are making a
gallant fight, and though they will, with the
aid of the colored vote make good show, they
will be beaten. The Kentucky Democracy
having accepted the New Departure with some
grains Of allowance, their triumph viii exert
no influence upon the great coutlict Of 1872.
The next two elections Of any importance
take place in Vermont and California on tho
6rst tuesday of September, when each chooses
Governor and Legislature. Vermont will
be overwhelmingly Republican as usual, and
the verdict will be of no significance. 1t will
be otherwise in California, where a spirited
contest Is going forward. The Democratic
Convention adopted an unequivocal New De-
parture platform, and rcnominated Haight for
Governor The Democracy hold the State by
only small majority, and if they succeed in
re.electing ITaight. as we think they will, the
victory will greatly encourage the progressive
wing Of the party in all sections OF the Union.
The only other State election in September Is
that Of Maine, on the second Monday OF the
MONTH Both parties have held their nomina-
ting conventions that of the Democrats cordi-
ally ratfying the New Departure. The State
will doubtless 60 Republican, but VIC think by
majority less than the party obtained last
year. Should this be so, it will give lead to
the Democracy Of the New England States
which they will be sure to follow in tho con-
struction Of their platforms when their turns
come.
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa vote
on the second Tuesday Of October. The DEM
ocrats in all these States have buried dead Is.
sues, and frankly accept the Constitution as 1t
is. Since 1856 these four States have boon
among the most trustworthy Republican States
| in the Union. The Democrats have once or
twice carried the Legislatures in Ohio and In
diana, but at the last three Presidential contests
the whole four went Republican by largo ma
iorities. Ohio and Iowa will doubtless remain
true to the Republican faith, though We should
not be surprised 10 see the supremacy Of
the party in each seriously shaken. The con-
test in Indiana being mainly for local officers,
the result will not be very significant how
ever II may turn out. We incline to the opin-
ion that the Democrats will be successful.--
If they are, it will give Senator Hendricks
good start for Presidential nomination at tho
hands Of the Democracy, and will put dam
per upon the domineering spirit Of Senator
Morton, who Is one Of the chief conspirators
in the plot to secure the denomination Of Gen.
Grant. The verdict Of the ballot boxes in
Pennsylvania will be looked for with great in
terest By trick Of legerdemain the nepub-
lican Convention recommended Grant for Sc
cond term. II the republicans should lose the
State in October, il wouldbe q staggering blow
TO the hopes of the great Gift-tascr. The can
vass is carried on with spirit, and the result is
doubtful, with tho changes rather in favor Of
the Democrats.
Important as these elections will be, we shall
have to wait for the November contests before
any Just estimate can be formed Of the influ-
encc OF the political conflicts Of this year upon
the Presidential campaign Of 1879.