The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-11
The Western Elections.

At the elections in Indiana, Ohio, and
West Virginia held yesterday, an unusu-
ally large vote was cast. Probably Indi-
ana aud Ohio never gave so many votes
before, even in the most hotly contested
Presidential campaigns. In these two
States the battle was fought out at the
polls by both parties with feeling closely
akin to desperation.
In a certain sense the Republicans had q
right 10 claim each OF these three States.
for they had never deserted them i'm any
Presidential election. And ii was rare that
IA any purely State election either of
them had gone for the Democrats.
For the Republicans 10 lose either
now might therefore, be regarded as n
gain for the Democracy. The very most,
then, that the Republicans could afford
was to lose one of them. They might
probably get along without West
Virginia; but they must carry In
diana and Ohio unless they were pre-
pared TO give up every reasonable
chance OF electing their Presidential
ticket in November. Especially must
they not fail in Ohio, for il is the home
Of HAYES, who had been nominated at
Cincinnati mainly for the purpose OF
making sure OF that state in October.
Then, too, if the Republicans could not
only save Ohio now, but capture lndi-
ana, the home of HESpRIoKs, they might
regard themselves ~ having n fair pros
pect OF faying their Presidential cam
didates. Hence IL II that they have
used every possible exertion to make
sure OF these two States. Nothing that
could be done 10y II lavish expenditure Of
money and an army of stump speakers,
and by fraud. terrorism, boosting, and du-
phcity, has been spared during the most
exciting political canvass that these States
ever witnessed. TO carry them both yes
terday was simply question OF life and
death to the Republican party.
On the other hand, the Democrats could
Afford to get along il they only secured
one OF these three States, as Tor example,
West Virginia. True, it would seem rather
bad to lose Indiana, because the Demo-
tratic candidate for Vice President resided
there; but looking To the results Of former
years the Democrats really had no
tolid reasons for claiming II in
this contest. From 1850 downward il had
Almost invariably been Republican State.
II was only in exceptional years that il had
ever gone Democratic. Az 10 Ohio, while
II would be perfectly fatal for the Repub-
hcans 10 lose ii now, there was hardly the
remotest possibility that the Demo-
Gratis could capture II yesterday. In-
deed, cautious Democrats, with an eye
open TO the past political history OF the
State, never believed that they could carry
Ohio either in this purely State contest OF
for IILDKH in November. In fact, they all
tho time really gave up Ohio to HAYEs
and the Republicans.
so much for the general standpoint from
which yesterdays elections In West Vlr-
Einia, indiana, and Ohio should be regard
ed. Now what are the results
At the early hour when this column goes
TO press, the returns from the three States
Bre very moagre. II Ii safe to say that
West Virginia has gone largely Dem
ecratc. Az 10 Indiana and Ohio,
the indications are that Indiana has
gone Democratic, and il seems to he prob
able that Ohio has gone the same way
But the returns from each of these two
States are at this moment 30 incomplete
that il is impossible to deducc from them
Any certain conclusions.
All the returns received down to the lat
est hour will be found on our first page.