New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-28
THE SPRING ELECTIONS.


For twenty wears the two States which lead
off in March and April the elections of the year,
have been the closest and most evenly bal
anced in the Union Neither of them seems
to have been subject to the great changes
and reactions which from one cause or an
other in some other States have transferred
the power, by large majOrities. from one party
to the other. Under the ordinary conditions
they have been always close. and almost al
ways the scenes of hard-fought political bat
ties. We recall but one exception-to wit, In
April 1865, when Connecticut, on the strength
of the fall of Richmond, news of which came
the morning of election day, gave Republic
can majority of 10000 and upward, a result 80
significant that the Republicans have never
ceased throwing it up at their opponents, and
the Democrats have never been able to ex-
plain it satisfactorily OF listen to the reminders
Of it in patience.
In most of these years the results of the cleo
tons in New-IIampshire and Connecticut, the
former occurring in March and the latter IN
April have been waited for with intense inter
est by politicians of both parties as indicating
in some measure the current of public opinion
upon the policy of the dominant party, or
upon pending political questions. At such
times, the two States have been fought for
inch by inch, and money drawn from all avail
able sources outside as we'll as within the two
States, has been spent like water to carry
them. On the one side Tammany, when that
institution was in its glory handling the money
of the Taxpayers of New-York without ques-
ton from any one, and playing for larger
stakes in national politics; on the other
the Custom-houses, Post Offices, and all the
departments of the Federal Government
making desperate efforts to hold on to posi-
| ton and power-invaded both States with
| men and money and made them the battle
ground Of the year. In both, the dominant
party in Congress has been always at q dis
advantage, for it has never happened other
wise than that in the three or four months pre-
ceding the elections, wrangling Congress has
weakened the hold of the party upon the
people by some foolish or mischievous action
that has either angered or disguised them.
The absence of any sudden or violent change
in the politics of either State, and their con-
tnued and steady support of the party in
power, are attributable partly TO the stead
fastness of their attachment to the Republic
can organization, and partly to the fact that
the population is more permanent and less
shifting and transient than in tho younger
States.
The elections now pending are neither ex-
citing so much interest among the voters of
the States themselves nor attracting so much
attention from outside as usual New Hamp-
shire is now within little more than week
of her voting day. Three lists of candidates
for State officers are in the field, the third being
on the ticket of the Temperance party, which
last year polled little over 1000 votes. The
Republican candidate for Governor. Mr.. Nc
Cutchins, is believed to be exceptionally
strong on account of his occupation as q
farmer and his connection with the Grange
movement. The resolutions of the COnven-
tion which nominated him, though not by any
means 80 terse and pointed as those adopted
by the Connecticut Republicans, are still de-
cidedly in the direction of reform in State
and National politics, and free from clap
trap aduatiOn of the President or the
party. IL they have any influence at
all, it will be to strengthen the
ticket The Democratic candidate, Weston,
who was elected by small majority in 1871,
is weak, aud dsaffection toward him has oc-
casioned a bolt, which the Republicans make
much of, but tho Democrats affect to despise
rs Of no consequence. The ticket is weakened
by the platform accompanying it, which favOrs
license law on tho liquor question and,
contrary TO the expectations Of those who