Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-07-09
New Hampshire.

1t is q matter of regret to all fair,
minded men, whatever may be theil
political proclivities that the Repub.
lican papers so often admit to their
columns such outrageous misrepresen-
tations of the character and purposes
of the Democratic party. One ofthe
most glaring instances of this is seen
in the correspondence and editorials
that have appeared in several New
England and New York journals since
the New Hampshire Legislature began
its session. Both branches have a
large Democratic majority, and the
Democracy have set themselves vlgor-
ously to work to abate many
evils and right many of the wrongs
that the people have endured during
nineteen years that the Republican
party has been in control of the State.
Instead of fairly and honestly stating
what the majority in the Legislature
have done and purpose 10 do, these or
gans of the Republican party talk a.
bout ",nscrupulous partisan schemes"
"reckless gerrymandering ofthe politi-
cal divisions of the State" "fagrant
outrages upon the minority ETC., etc.
The facts are that the Democratic
majority in the New Hampshire Leg
islature have thus far displayed a most
remarkable prudence and moderation.
The three weeks in which new bust
ness may be introduced have expired,
and among the bills reported there are
none that can be classed as unjust or
partisan. As matter Of course, most
of the Republican officials are to be
removed. and. good men from the
Democratic ranks will fill their places.
When the Republicans came into
power they made wholesale work oft
and hustled out of office every Demo-
crat who held State position. 1t is,
moreover, a notorious fact that for
years the Republicans have been con-
tinually legislating for the benefit of
their party. In many instances they
have done the grossest injustice to the
Democrats.
In cities where the parties were a
bout equally divided, the Wards wele
so cut up that the Republicans had
four-ffths, or more, of the Representa-
tives, and two thirds, or more, of the
CITY Councils. Manchester and Ports
mouth were examples. The former
has had a Democratic majority at a.
bout one-half the elections for num-
Der of years, yet the Republicans had
four-ffths of the Representatives in
the Legislature, The injustice to the
Democrats of Portsmouth was nearly
as great. The purposed changes in
the Wards Of these two cities will sim
ply recognize bothparties, andthe rep
resentation will be about equally
divided should either party have
small majority on the general ticket
The proposed Legislation in regard to
allowing students at public institutions
OF learning to vote is only intended to
put stop to abuses that are depreca-
ted by all homes men; abuses that are
not tolerated in any other New Eng
land State, In the proposed changes
in the Liquor law the Democratic
majority will but carry out the wishes
of the people of New Hampshire, ex-
pressed plainly and emphatically at
the election held last March. In the
bills to reorganize the Courts there is
nothing that can be designated as
partisan. On the contrary the feeling
is in favor of putting the Courts entire
ly above the plane of party politics.
None but the wilfully blind can fail to
see that during the three weeks the
New Hampshire Legislature has been
in session the Democratic majority
have exhibited Esprit OF magnanimity,
Justice and forebearance that contrasts
tavorably with Republican admins
tration during all the years our OPP
ponents have been in power.
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