Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-04-14
The Power of the Indcpendcn, voter.

possible Presidential nomination of The
Republican party, good deal of stress Il
laid upon the fact that the reform senti-
ment-that sentiment which would rejoice
at the nomination of Bristow, or some man
who represents the reform idea equally
WELLS not organized, while all the ma
chinery is in the hands OF those who would
prefer one of the party leaders. This IS
looked upon by some as a tremendous ad.
vantage of the politicians and as making
the case of the relormers well nigh desper.
ate, SO far rs the Republican nomination Is
| concerned. Ii Is true that the reform SEN
timent may not have the party machinery
in its hands and may have no organization
Of its own, but that will not prevent lis
exercising a power which Tue managers
will feel and which they may be induced
TO yield TO rs a mailer of eXpediency. 1t is
not desirable that the ioformers should or.
ganize in antagonsm to tho party which
they are trying TO influence. That would
at once make two parties, which is mol
what they arc seeking. They desire ID
prevent any such division OF power and Ia
bring Tue organization up where il will
command the cordial support of the indo-
pendent voters as well as those who ac-
knowledge unwaveriug allegiance 10 the
party name.
While those who control the party ma
chinery may be in favor of party candi-
date rather than a thorough refUrmer, they
must acknowledge that one very important
consideration il that of selecting a man
who can be elected, and we think ir they
if they could be fully persuaded that the
only way 10 elect a Republican President
is to put up n man who fully represents
The reform sentiment, they would nomi-
nate such a man. A nomination this year
is not by any means going to he equivalent
to an election. BY thoughtful observers 1t
is regarded as a foregone conclusion that
to nominate Morton or Conkling would be
TO invite defeat; and 1t is by no means GER
tain that any candidate not identified with
reform can be elected In case the Demo-
Gratis should put up strong man. Since
the last Presidential election the tremen-
dous effect OF the unorgauized power of the
Independent voter has been shown, and II
may be shown again, and should not be
ltlN Out vi Nnt uttOuIl DttduSp IL docs mol
run the machine.
Let us see what this unorganized power
has done in the past TO command the re-
spectful consideration of the Republican
party. In 1874 the Independent voter
elected n Democratic Governor in Massa-
chusetts, although the Republican majority
two years before was over 10000, and he
defeated six out Of eleven candidates for
Congress, while the delegation had pre-
VIC us!y been entirely Republican. In IL
linois, the same year, the independent
voter more Than wiped out the Republican
majority Of $1,000 in 1872, and the party
candidate was elected merely because the
opposition was divided, and only a plu-
raliiy was needed he also defeated five
candidates for Congress in districts pre-
viously Republican. In Indiana, the same
year, the Independent voter put Demo-
cratic majority Of 1900 in place of the
Republican majority of %, 900 OF two years
before. In New York, the same year, the
independent voter changed the Republican
majority of more than $1,000 OF two years
before 10 Democratic majority of nearly
Democratic Governor by 1000 majority,
though the Republican majority two years
before was over $1,000. In Pennsylvania
he wiped out the enormous Republican
majority OF 1877 600 given to Grant in 1872,
and elected Democratic Lieutenant. Gov
ernor by between 1000 and 5000. His ex-
plons, moreover, gave the Democrats
strong majority in the national House Of
Representatives.
This shows what unorganized power can
do VIXEN party treats it with disrespect.
The Republicans cannot afford to ignore it
or Iepel it, especially this year, when it is
working ON so much Of an uncertainty.
There have been changes which will mate.
rally affect the reckoning OF electoral
votes. Since 1872 the party has lost beyond
re demption, Alabama with her ten electo-
raj votes, Arkansas with six, Delaware
with three, North Carolina with ten, Vir-
ginia with eleven, and West Virginia with
five. 1t has lost, and can only redeem
through the independent voter and line
sentiment of reform, California with six
votes, Connecticut with six, Indiana with
liileen, New Jersey with nine, and New
York with thirty-five. Moreover, Florida,
Louisiana and Mississippi with their TWEEN
ty votes cannot be counted on as a certain
~, and Massachusetts, is quite capable of
going against any candidate not a reformer.
What there is left, taking out those that
were Democratic even in 1872, and are sure
10 be so this year, can never elect Presi-
dent These yarious considers tionS Should
DO duly studied by the men who do man
age the machinery and control the organi-
cations, with view TO the question of
nominating man who can be elected, and
not giving the Democrats The field in ad-
vanee.-BoSton Globe.