New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-07

to mako weak nominations for the Legis-
lature The Democrats, with everything to
gain and with the consciousness that large
body of independent voters were In the heio
to be lost or won, put their best foot forward
and nominated, especially in doubtful dls-
tricts, their best men. They had their reward
in the support of the independent voters, VINO
brought to them success. This year tho case
was reversed. The Democrats, who rarely
seem to need much encouragement to make
fools of themselves, had the Over-confidence
IN their side and allowed the nominations TO
fall into the hands of the lower class, while
the Republicans, quick to learn from expert
ence mt in nomination some of their best
men and elected them, although not enough
of them to counterbalance tho Democratic
majority of last year. One OF the most
notable instances Of this kind was the nom
nation of Chauncey Howard for Senator In
the XXIst District, by which the district was
reclaimed from the Democrats
Now as to tho vote on tho State ticket. In
the first place the total vote is the largest
ever cast Looking at that fact as distinct
from any other, we think it may be safely
stated that the increase of over 5000 votes
from last year. and of over G,OoO from the
Presidential year, shows that tho unusual ef-
fort made on both sides brought out al unll-
sually large vOte-that and no more. The
Republican vote is 1888 larger than last year.
which, if there were no other element in the
calculation, might be taken by the Grant men
rs proof that The hearty support given
the President this year as against the luke
warmness of last year strengthened the ticket
by so much. But 1855 of this number is ac-
counted for by the fact that where 1890 Re-
pubiicans voted the Prohibition ticket last
wear there were only 1874 this. Tho situation
is then further complicated by the fact that
the Democratic vote is 600 larger than last
wear. end more than 5000 in excess of the
vote of 1872. And the whole matter
is still further complicated by the fact
that the Democratic majority is 1,2e3
and the plurality 1855 greater than Lass year.
1t is easy to see that ont of all these figures,
with all their possibilities of pervcrse ami con-
Trajectory arrang ements, there may be OBJ
tanned all sorts of lessons and morals for all
sorts of parties. The vote for Congressman
in the several districts is equally susceptible
of widely diversified constructions and varied
meanings. And it is but fair to say that oil
parties have made the most OF the opportunity
to construe the lesson each to its own salts
faction and cditication.
UDon the face Of it, however, to the Impair
tial observer 1t is Democratic triumph. 1t
cannot be distorted into anything else. And
it has been won with bat little apparent
effort and small expenditure Of money on
their part, in the face Of almost unparalleled
exertlons in behalf Of the Administration.
The simple question il, What does this meant
The Democratic party has done nothing yet
to commend itself to public confidence. Its only
achievement in Connecticut has been the election
of Mr., Eaton to the Senate. Doubtless that gen
tleman considers the result as quasi indOrse-
mcnt of that act and of himself No one else
doca. Not dozen discreet Democrats in the
State would risk venture to the people upon
that issue pure and simple. What, then, has
given Connecticut to the Democrats by such
increased majorities? The answer is not diff
cult. Nothing in the world but the blunders
and crimes of the party they oppose. The
Republicans have lived for years upon the
blunders of the Opposition. The tables
are changed. The bluaders of tho Re-
publicans arc tho stock in trade OF
tho Opposition. The tide has begun to set
the other way. The lesson of this election
fairly considered is simply that the average
voter has learned to scratch his ticket. That
is the first and most important. The second
is that the Republican party under Grant has
forfeited public confidence, and that so long
as Grant is supreme, and no convention Of
his party dares say in his face that he must
not be candidate for reelection, they will
have mono of him or his party.
The Democrats have not gained an election
the Republicans have lost it. The people
have not voted their confidence in the Demo-
cratic party. but only their distrust of the
Administration party. And now the independ-
ent voter holds himself alOof from both,
waiting with more impartial and judicial
mind than was ever before exercised in any
election TO find which deserves his support