Litchfield enquirer., 1875-04-01

l0l1 4,0ZU C,1
 1872 4,428 4,804
 1873 3,893 4,852
 1874 3,S86 5,078
 It will be observed that there has been no Democratic gam since 1867, and a Democratic loss of 2CO since 1868. On the other hand there appears an enor- nous falling of of over 1 100 in the Repub- lican vote. Near half that loss has occur red since 1872; the effect of Liberal Re- publicanism, some may think! Why then does there not appear a corresponding in- crease on the Democratic side? Our be- lief is that most of this falling off has been occasioned by the simple failure of Republicans to come to the polls. They can cast 5000 votes this spring if they will make the effort they used to make in '67 and '6s. Now shall we stay at home on Monday next. as has been the practice of late, or shall we once more poll the full Republican vote of the county?
 In the first place we must admit that there is change for the better at the South: a compromise has been effected in Louisiana; Congress has recognized the right of the people of Arkansas to gov ern themselves; South Carolina breathes freer under more honest government than it has known since Reconstruction. We must not forget that this is in the main State election. Its result cannot change the complexion of the next Congress. What then is the outlook on State and To- cal affairs. Has the Democratic party proved to be real Reform party here in Connecticut? The first Democratic legis- lature of twenty years was chosen last summer, yet it developed none of that corruption in the preceding Republican administration which might naturally have been expected from long tenure of office. It did not appoint a single inves- tgating committed. It did not inaugu- rate a single reform. It busted itself mainly in turning out Republicans and electing Democrats to various small offices.
 Everything indicated Reaction, not Re- form. Especially was this obvious in the choice of U. s. Senator. The man select cd was only prominent as Bourbon. He was chosen simply as a reward for services rendered his party in opposing. the war for the restoration of the Union.
 One of the candidates for the United States Senatorship was MT. William H. Barnum, whose claim was as plainly based on corruption as that of Mr. Eaton on dis loyalty. Of these two evils we think the Democracy chose the least. The Demo- crAts of the State repudiated the corrup- tionist, but the Democrats of this Dis trict have endorsed him by fifth nomina- ton. Late developments show that, while buying his way into Congress, he reimbursed himself out of the public purse by taking the back pay he allowed his par tisans to deny that he had ever received. Who could have expected such meanness of millionaire?
 Besides the question of Reform In Con- gressional elections presented by the nom- ination of Mir. Barnum, we have the local matter of jail reform presented by the re- nomination of Mir. Baldwin. Here, too, the Democratic party bellies it's promises of reform, and refuses to lift the burden of taxes that has been heaped on the coun' ty by its nominee.
 Under these circumstances we cannot but think it the plain duty of every man of every party, who hates shams, to protest at the ballot box against the meanest of all shams-sham reform. It is also the duty of every Republican-Liberal or Straight-whatever may be his views on on national affairs. to appear at the polls this spring against the monstrous party tyranny that is seeking to impose most objectionable and unpopular Congressman and a most objectionable and unpopular sheriff on an unwilling County and Dis. trict.
 Weare as pleased as any of our Demo cratic friends to believe that ''the war ii over." Nevertheless we do not feel oblig cd to forget that it was a most righteous and Q most successful war, and that the men who risked their lives for us deserve well of their country. Two of the soldiers sent by Litchfeld county to the war are ir nomination for high office: Col A. H. Fenn, our candidate for Secretary of State and Col. Charles D. Blinn, our nominee for Sheriff. At time when the Confede racy is represented in our National Hous of Representatives by sixty-eight of he soldiers, and when Wm. W. Eaton repre- oents Connecticut in the United State Senate as successor of Wm. A. Buckine ham, ought we not to choose now an' then Federal, just to show that we d. not mean to discriminate against tn Union soldier.
 k. are in receipt of a letter fror Goshen finding fault with our correspon dent for not giving Miss E. c. Herald al the credit she deserved for not only spell ing down all Goshen but for spelling sev enty-seven words correctly before missing This certainly seems remarkable feat but we do not believe our corresponden iRtentionally omitted due reference there Co. He has been known to be in a hurry now and then, but never deliberately un Aair.