The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-03
The Connecticut Electiou-Tn What
View IL Il Important.

officers are chosen every year-a custom inner
tied from an early period, which has not been
adopted in other parts Of the country. Out OF
New England the terms of the State officers
vary from two to four years In their organic
structure the six Eastern States have always
been the most democratic in the Union, so
tar as prompt responsibility Of public servants
to the people is test OF democracy, using the
word in its philosophical and not ITS party
sense Besides its State officers Connecticut
elects this year four members Of Congress;
their election subsequent to the date when
their terms begin being another relic OF a
bygone era. Congressman are elected in most
Of the States in the autumn preceding the 4th
/ Of March, when their terms and salaries COM
mence. Ordinarily the practice Of New
Hampshire and Connecticut in this respect
is attended with no inconvenience, as
| the regular annual sessions of Congress do
not commence until the following December.
But in emergencies which require extra ses-
sions early in the year it subjects these States
to loss Of representation.
The Connecticut election, this year, has no
national importance, except as an index or
weather vane to point out the currents OF the
political atmosphere. 1t will serve to show
whether the causes which produced 50 great
and unexpected a revolution last year are
still in operation, and its result will be valued
by politicians only as premontion OF what
will be likely to follow in the more important
autumn elections. In other respects its result
can have no national interest, although mem
bers of the national Legislature are to be
chosen. Neither the democratic nor the re-
publican party can gain or lose anything but
mere prestige by the success or defeat Of their
candidates for Congress in Connecticut Let
this election 60 as it may, the democratic
party has strong majority in the next House,
assured by the Congressional elections Of last
year, and the whole Connecticut delegation
might be thrown on either side without
changing the political complexion Of the
next House Of Representatives. The result Of
the Connecticut election is therefore mere
matter of party prestige and basis OF
prophecy for the later elections Of the year
In no other view is it of the slightest political
significance.
From present indications it seems probable
that the democratic party will elect its State
ticket by diminished majority from last
wear: but if the democrats barely save their
State ticket the effect on their party in other
States will be discouraging. 1t will show that
the Wanted ''tidal wave" Of last year has been
arrested, and if Governor Ingersolls majority
should be smaller than it was last year it will
prove that the 'tIdal wave" has been turned
back and is on the ebb. If Governor Inger-
SOL cannot hold his own against such a
candidate as has been nominated against him
the country will interpret it as significant
decline az democratic strength. And this
will be a tar Interpretation. In per-
sonal standing and responsibility there is
no comparison between the contesting
candidates for the Goyernorship SO far
az the election may be Influenced by
personal considerations the advantages are
wholly on the side Of the democratic
candidate. The advantages also preponderate
in Mr. Ingersolrs favor on one Of the most
important political questions which led to
the splendid democratic victories Of last year
namely, the third term question. No citizen
Of Connecticut doubts the entire soundness
Of Governor Ingcrsoll on this great point;
whereas 8Ir. Greene, his competitor, is one Of
the most servile and sycophautic Of President
Grants admirers. Mr.. Greene is at present
the Mayor Of Norwich and, acting in that
capacity, he ordered one hundred guns to he
fred in that city as an Endorsement Of the
Grant-Sheridan 'banditti' policy in Lou-
giana. III there is any citizen of Connecticut
Who stands ready to 20 all lengths in support
Of President Grant that citizen is James Lloyd
Greene Moreover. the republican platform
in Connecticut on which Mr. Greene was
nominated recites with warm expressions Of
approval passages from the Presidents Mes
sage indorsing sheridan. The hundred
gun enthusiasm Of Mr.. Greene has been ono
81 the chief topics Of the democratic press and
orators throughout this campaign and,
al respects third term and anti
third term, the line is very distinctly
drawn between the two candidates for
the Governorship. The republican candidate
being thus heavily handicapped with servility
to Grant II Ingersolrs majority should be
lees than it was last year the election will
have to be regarded as an ominous demo-
cratic loss According 70 the "tidal wave
theory Governor Ingersols majority should
Re very much increased from last year, even
If the opposing candidate were his peer in
personal standing and public estimation, and
hal not shown the sycophantic hundred
gun devotion to Grant aud the 'banditti"
policy. II the republicans reduce Governor
r -
date to carry, the outlook for the democratic
party IN the fan elections VIII not be hopeful.
Suggestion have been thrown out that votes
for Governor will be traded of against votes
4 for Congressman, some Of the republicans