The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-16
Blaine Takes n Back Seat.

The late Speaker, who runs the Republi-
can machine in Maine, has been accustom-
ed for several years past to attest his 10y
atty by telegraphing TO the President the
returns OF n partisan victory at each re-
curing election. He appears to have ne
elected that self-imposed service this year.
and the vote on Monday furnishes the ex-
PLANTATION for his silence.
Most extraordinary efforts were made
by Mr.. BLAINE and his friends to secure an
exceptional majority, for It's moral effect
on the Presidential question next year,
and in the hope of reviving the spirit of
the party, which has been saddcned by II
succession of defeats all over the Union.
The organization and discipline are per-
feet. The officeholders are drilled like
regulars. All the money required TO bring
out the faithful and to conquer the preju-
dices of the doubtful, or to buy the votes
of the mercenary, was raised by assessing
voluntary contributions" on the custom
houses, post offices. and internal revenue.
10 say nothing OF the fund furnished from
Washington by forced levies on the de
partments.
MIR. MORTON and other leaders were i'm
ported into Maine to instruct the people in
their local duties, aud tn stir up prejudices
with the worn-out stories of the rebellion,
dead and buried ten years ago. Mr..
BLAINE, who appointed Horace MAYNARD
Chairman of the Banking and Currency
Committee, with majority of rabid infa-
tionists 10 back him, who reported and
carried the worst rag-money bill ever pre-
sented to Congress, was loud in denounc-
ing the Pennsylvania Democrats for fol-
lowing in the path he and his party had
blazed out. lie also predicted with vigor
what awful things the Democrats would
do next winter, and how the Speaker
table would be covered with bills to repeal
the Ku-Klux law" But MIR. BLAINE was
perhaps most energetic in endeavors To re-
vive the old Known othing intolerance.
and TO excite sectarian anmosities 10y II
crusade against Judge MADIGAN, IA candi-
date for Congress. for being commune
cant Of the Catholic faith, of which
BLAINE's own parents were also fervent
members.
In spite Of all these advantages on the
one hand and this desperate trickery on
the other, Maine has practically revolted
against Republican misrule and corrup-
ton, and nj n single dash swept away hall
of the regular majority, after a canvas,
exceptional in its vigor, bitterness, and
mGlignity. This remarkable change is best
illustrated by few familiar figures
lsz2-PPRHpi> Governor Republican majority. i7ei'
is.s-Hh' President Republican maj MY. 81
isst iSGLrv. Governor. Republican ma iurty. 1870
1919 -OISeLEY, Governor, Republican majority. hs
The gradual decline in these years is now
emphasized by sweeping change, which
puts Maine in line as n probable Opposi
ton state for the Presidency, and send
Mr.. BLAINE and his pretensions TO tn
rear, without n hope of ever coming to tn
front again. One ambitious politician will
n smart tongue in his head, and good dea
of sharp practice for his stock in trade, i
thus finally disposed Of. This news vii
cast no gloom over Long Branch, for witt
all the external relations between GRAN
and BLAINE there has always been dis
trust of the Speaker at the White House
and especially when his professions of de
votion were most pronounced.