The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-14
The Real Contest.

The Real Contest.
When the recent elections in Ohio aud
indiana are described ne a struggle for as
rendancy between the Democratic and the
Republican parties, the ground is by no
means covered. 1t was such struggle,
and II was great deal more. The whole
power and patronage of the Government
are openly enlisted on one side, and thrown
into the scale as a partisan influence. So
that, IN addition to the organization and
machinery of party, this mighty force Is
added 30 the strength of the Republicans.
So long US these two states hold elections
In October of the Presidential year, the
scenes which have just been witnessed will
be repeated. Ia other words. the battle
Tor the White House will be fought and de-
cided, rs far a. the party in power can
shape events. upon merely local contest.
with the ability to concentrate the inn
mense resources of the Government on two
comparatively small points, the advantage
OF the ins is enormous.
Looking over the field calmly, it is only
surprising, in the face of this great power,
welded without scruple and by cor
rupt and desperate managers how the
opposition has been able to make any head
WAY at Ill, or seriously to contend for sue
cess. With large body of regular troops
In the form of oficeholdcrs in both states,
chosen entirely for their efficiency in par
tisan management; with the vast public
patronage operating on contractors, job
bers, and spectators; with the banks ac-
lively or indirectly cooperating with the
. Treasury, and with the President and the
Cabinet and all the departments combined
60 favor whatever candidates the Republic
cans may nominate, the wonder is that the
Democrats have been able to hold their
own at all.
Withdraw these powerful influences from
the two states aud allow the people fairly
and squarely 10 decide the question in dis
putc for themselves, and there is no man
ner OF doubt that Ohio and Indiana, in-
stead of being contested sharply aud kept
waverlng indccisivcly Tor days would give
Democratic majoritle, by many thousands.
Sooner or later the ncnnlp will Gonna 10 soc
basing effects of such a system Will involve
consequences that can only be avoided by
having uniform day Of election through
put the United States.
The reform Constitution of Pennsylva-
MA corrected this evil ia that State; but
The practical effect of the much-needed
change there was only to intensity the n-
terest in Ohio and Indiana, and TO give the
Administration still greater control by
narrowing the sphere of its operations
within two instead of three states. Until
the whole Union is put on the same
footing by local and general laws which
establish uniformity, there can be no iair
expire son of the popular VIII.
The struggle which has just ended in-
volved on the Republican side nothing
more than a continuation Of Grantism UNI
der new name. AL the material issues
aiI citing the interests of the people. the
currency. the public expenditures, re-
henchment AMI everything else. were
purposely thrust aside ANA substituted by
campaign Of falsehood ana defamation,
having for lis conspicuous advocates meu
stained with corruption like BLAINE, Col
PAN. GARFIELD, aud that crew of venal
legislators, whose votes anI whose princi-
ples have always been III market for the
highest bidder.
Having possession of the public records
ana accounts. the Administration used
both unscrupulously 10 ald this scandalous
campaign, so that the Government,
through the CHIEF Magistrate. the high
functonalies of State, and the entire
olhclal corps, has been the most energetic
supporter OF the disgraceful methods by
which the candidates of one party were
advocated. NAPOLEON. in the worst days
OF the Second Empire, never resorted u
such base means a. have been publicly en-
ployed by the Admins ration to carry
these elections. lie at least respect
ell appearances and dcconcy and connded
his work TO interiors. But GRANr, and ov-
cry member Of his Cabinet, in one form or
another, have been conspicuous for Their
personal interference ana abuse of official
authority al every stage of the canvas.