The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-10
First Gum for Tilden.


The first state to hold general election
this year is Alabama, Kentucky on the
same day electing only county officers.
The result will be found in our telegraphic
dispatches, showing great gains in both
states for the Democracy. Until some three
or four weeks ago there were three tickets
for state officers in the feld-tho regular
Democratic ticket, headed by Governor
George S. Houston, who was renominated
without opposition; the Spencer, or bolt
ing Republican ticket, and that which was
chosen by the regular, or Rice Republicans.
The two factions Of the Republican party
consulted over their troubles and finally
came to an agreement by which each mu-
tually agreed to withdraw its candidates
and unite on a ticket, headed by Noadiah
Woodruff, Of Selma, and filed in with
various Dames not'so disagreeably promi-
nent in Alabama politics as those which
made up the two Radical tickets as first
proposed. The new party was christened
the Independent, and it was given out
that Woodruff and his associates, with one
exception, were Democrats dissatisfied
with Governor Houston's administration.
These representations we're soon exploded,
it being proved that the candidates were
all either Republicans or with strong Re-
publican proclivities, Woodruff never
having voted the Democratic ticket, and
having been always recognized by his
neighbors in Selma as bitterly opposed to
the party.
But the Woodruff ticket was so greatly
superior, in point Of the integrity of the
several candidates, to any ever offered by
the Alabama Radicals, or, indeed, by the
party in any Of the southern states, that il
attracted to its support all the elements Of
opposition to the Democratic party in Ala
bama, and, being warmly supported by the
Radical leaders, it presented certainly the
best prospect of success for which the Ala.
bama Radicals could hope. What is the
result2 The telegraph says sweeping
Democratic victory" In 1872, Lewis
Republican, was elected governor by 5000
In 1874, Houston, Democrat beat Lewis
by $4,000. And now, in 1875, Houston il
reelected by over 10000.
Governor Houston's administration hal
been very successful. He came into Office
after the state had suffered long years o
fraud and corruption, with the details o
which the country is familiar, aud found {
bankrupt treasury, the expenses of thu
state government in excess Of its receipts
and state debt Of over $30,000,00O
Within two years he has reduced the deb
to $lO,0OO,OOO, this extraordinary reduc
ton being accomplished by wise financier
ing. and with no increase of taxation, ant
has so weeded out reckless extravaganza
in the state administration that the re
ceipts are now in excess of the expend
lures, while the state has entered upon
new era of material and domestic prosper
ity.
Alabama voted for Grant four years az
and led off in August with the election O
Republican governor and legislature
1t is the other way now--as it will be wit
a good many other states.
The result shows that the Republicans
even with the army, cannot recover cor
troll of the harrassed and over burdene
people Of the south, and that the negroe
are Hocking to the Democratic standard O
their only safety.
The telegraph says Quiet prevaile
everywhere" There's world of meanin
in that. 1t shows that orderly and peac,
able elections mean Democratic victorie