The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-11
To-Morrow's Election in Ohio.


To-Morrow's Election in Ohio.
Elections occur tomorrow in Ohio, Iowa,
mud Nebraska. The only one Of any ma
tional Importance is that in Ohio. 1t il for
Governor, n Lieutenant-Go and
some other State officers, and both
branches of the Legislature. ALLEN,
Democrat. the present Governor, and
HAYES, Republican, who was formerly
Governor lead their respective tickets.
The campaign commenced aboutthe mid
die OF June, and never since the Republic
can party was organized has Ohio witness
ed "A more exciting and bitter contest. This
is due TO many caus :, the chief of which are
that from the outset the currency ques-
ton became u prominent element of con-
troversy, as did soon afterward a fierce
sectarian wrangle over The preposterous
allegation that the Catholics had entered
into conspiracy with the Democrats to
divide the school fund while the pregnant
fact that Ohio was the only doubtful State
which voted in October gave a peculiar
zest to this election in reference to its indi-
rect influence upon the result OF the Presi-
dental contest. Therefore IL Is that this
mere local skirmish has been carried on by
both Democrats aud Republicans as II IL
were a struggle for supremacy in the coun-
ellis Of the nation.
With n few unimportant exceptions, Ohio
has been n state upon which the Republic
cans could always rely. In 1865, SALMON
=. CHASE was elected Governor, and for
eighteen years thereafter that party held
fhic pffipp ftl1 1874 nannorot
was chosen by a plurality of barely 800
over NoYEs, Republican, while at the same
time COLLINS, Independent, received To-
100 votes, and STEWART, Prohibitionist got
10,27s votes. ALLEN, therefore, was in Il
minority of nearly 10000 when we take the
aggregate votes OF the four candidates.
In October, ls'2 just after DR.. GREELEY
had madea brilliant slumping tour through
the state, and when the Democrats and
Liberals made earnest efforts to carry it,
the Republ can ticket was successful by a
majority of $1,000 Three weeks later
GRANT carried it by 1880. We have al
ready given the figures for 1873, when Al
LEN came in by a plurality of 500. with
an absolute majority Of 10000 against him.
Last fall, when the tide set so strongly
against the Republicans in every State of
the Union, the Democrats carried Ohio by
a majority of 1900 on State candidates
though their aggregate majority on Com
gressmen owing 10 special circumstances
III four or five districts, was much larger.
1t Is obvious, then, that if the Republic
can party Is TO stand the slightest chance
for success in the Presidential campaign,
they must succeed in Ohio now. A Demo-
cratic victory III that State tomorrow
would practically end the contest of 1876.
Clearly seeing this, the Republicans have
fought the battle with the utmost despera-
ton; for if they cannot win back Ohio
tins year, they can entertain no we'll
grounded hope of securing any OF the
large States next year. So, for three
months past everything which an army of
prominent stump speakers aud n flood of
Preenhacks could do to save State for the
Republicans, has been brought to beer
upon ONO.
ON the other hand If the Democrats lose
the State tomorrow. though it Will throw
n shade of uncertainty over the Presiden-
tial election, 1t will by no means settle
crutic defeat i'll OHIO should be followed
weeks later, this would brighten the hopes
OF the Republicans, and stimulate them to
extraordinary efforts in next years COM
test.
One month ago there was scarcely a
doubt that ALLEN would be elected by a
handsome majority. But during the last
four weeks, though the Republicans OF
Ohio, whether judged by their record in
Congress or by their platform OF this year,
are just as much given to soft money as the
Democrats, aud in some respects are even
a little mere tinctured with the rag-money
heresics of Ben BUTLER, WILLIAM ID. KEEL
LEY, and WENDELL PHILLIPS, the Demo-
Gratis have let their opponents get the adj
vantage of them on the currency question
and if they are beaten it will be due - this
cause.
At this moment both parties claim the
victory. Those outside Of the state had
better wait ull the figures prove which
has prophcslcd correctly.