Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-09-30
CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK.

The Third Congressional District is
one which has been claimed so stoutly by
the Democracy, that many Republicans
have been impressed with the idea that
the fight Nc Kenna was making against
Luttrell was an up hill one from the
start. We propose to adduce a few fig
ures TO show that this idea is one not
founded strictly upon facts, and that Re-
publicans have no reason to be discour-
aged over the prospect o! redeemng the
district. Since Bidwell's retirement IN
1867, the District has been represented
by Democrats with the single exception
of the term Of 1871 which elected Cogh-
Ian. This state of affairs has been due to
causes which will have no appreCiable
effect upon the present canvass. 1t was
charged, and no doubt with truth, that
Harrison obtained his first nomination
by free use Of money, and this charge
aided greatly in securing his defeat in
both the attempts he made. In 1872
Luttrell was elected by the prevailing
Goat Island question, and the following
year, in the hopeless division between
the Republicans and Independents he
may be said to have walked over the
track.
Yet the Democratic majority in the
District is very small. An analysis of
the vote of last year shows that although
Luttrell beat DEMO, the regular Repubi-
can nominee 10184 votes, while Reed,
Independent had but 6,76l, Luttrell
having a clear majority over both of
3,423. But the Democratic majority on
Governor shows only 3S9 for Irwin over
the combined vote of Phelps and Bid
well. When we consider that Irwin was
looked upon as one of the best and strong
est men in the Democratic party and that
he was resident Of the district and pos
sessing considerable personal popularity
in the northern counties, it will be readi-
ly seen that the political complexion of
the District may be said to~hinge upon
IuC htlltuNC lhhtI ny lIlc iuucIJcIIucuIs'
1t does not require labored statistics to
show that the former predictions of
nine-tenths Of the Independent voters
were Republican. The strength of all
movements of that kind is almost invari-
ably drawn from the Republican party,
for no intelligent observer requires TO be
told that the Democrats stick by their
ticket with an unanimity that is refresh
ing. With few exception the Demo-
Gratis maintained their organizations in
every county where there was reasona-
BILE probability of success, and united
with the Independents only in the strong
Republican counties as Il means of break |
ing up that party. 1t is pretty well es-
tablished now that, in the canvass now
pending national issues will not be held
subordinate to the questions upon which
the Independent party started into exist
ence. While the Democrats the North |
have deprecated all allusion to the
events which occasionally thrill the pub
lie mind with horror. and affect to sneer
at the "bloody shirt" their Southern
brethren keep the garment red with the
fresh, warm blood Of white and colored !
Republicans. 1t is idle to think that the
men who stood by the Union in the hour
of its peril will ignore this condition of
affairs. The votes Of nine-tenths of the |
Independents of this district will be cast
for Hayes and Wheeler, and for McKen-
ma as well. Mr.. Luttrell has not proved
the success as legislator that his friends |
claimed for him be did well enough in
his Minervile Republic, that was about
his true calibre, but when spread out
over the floor of Congress he was found |
to be powerful thin" All the high |
and mighty reform legislation so lavish
ly promised from the stump, dwinded
down to the passage of one lone solitary
bill and it is about time the people of this
district had some one possessed of trihe
of influence to represent them.
1t is within the bounds, not Of possbil-
ties but of proba bIities to elect Repub-
lican representative from this district.
In McKenna we have one possessed of
every quality necessary to n legislator.
Courteous and affable in demeanor flu.
ent of speech and ready in argument
firm in his views but deferental to those
who differ with him, and possessing a
fine personal appearance, he will prove
a credit to the people if elected. And he
can be elected if the Republicans Of the
district determine to do it.