The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-08

On the 10th of next mouth three OF the
central States hold elections, whose results
will exert a powerful and perhaps deci-
Hve effect upon the Presidential contest.
We refer TO West Virginia, Ohio, aud In-
diana.
In 1856 Ohio voted for Fremont, but In
diana went for BUCHANAN. Since that
time each of these States has invariably
cast its electoral votes for the Republican
nominee for President, giving him, with
scarcely one exception, heavy majority
of the popular vote West Virginia was
admitted to the Union in ls62. II voted for
President for the first time in 1861, when
Mr. LINCOLN obtained IA majority of about
$4,000. In the two campaigns of 1868 and
1872 it gave its electoral votes TO GRANT.
Tested by the results OF past years, these
three states have been ms trustworthy sup
porters Of the candidates and measures Of
the Republican party ms any States in the
Union except Vermont, Maine, and Rhode
Island. On one or two occasions, and I'M
der peculiar circumstances, the Democrats
have succeeded ia carrying them 10y small
majorlties. OHIO, however, we believe has
never given an absolute Democratic ma
publican party was formed. Two years
ago, when The people, irrespective Of party,
rose up and stamped out the third-term
conspiracy, there was an aggregate major
lily for the Democratic and Liberal cand-
dates for Congress In each of these states.
But that was Il cradle case, and it does
not vacate the general rue that places
West Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana among
the steady-going Republican states, upon
which that party has been wont to rely
with confidence IN Presidential contest
But let ms look at the details. AS in re-
pect 10 Vermont and Maine, so in regard
10 these three states, the proper standard
for determining the 81 nlhcance OF the re-
suits in October next viii be 10 compare
them with the results of the October cleo
tions IN previous Presidential years. Con-
nning ourselves to the October elections in
the Presidential years since it became a
Stnto, West Virginia ha' given an average
I,puhlican majority on lis state ticket of
tHo Beginning with the year when Mr.
JlNCoIN was first chosen President, Ohio,
according 10 his rule, has cast an average
Eepuhlcan ma jority for its State ticket IN
t1ctoher of %, 800, During the same period
Indiana has given its State ticket in Octo-
Der an average Republican majority of
800.
In the light Of these facts, il is reason
nh1" 10 say that il the Republicans expect
t"tl'ct HAYES they must carry West Vir-
rlnlh, ONO. ANA Indiana in October. Pos
tbly they might spare West Virginia; but
II they hope to stand the slightest chance
for success in November, they must sweep
ohio in October by a majority equal to
the average OF the last sixteen years as
sented above, and they must at the
same time elect their ticket IN Indiana by
handsome majority.
The National Republican Committee are
imrking loud boasts Of their ability to carry
all three Of these states IN October Thee
Vhuntings IMPLY an admission that 1t IS alb
e"lut"'y necessary for them 10 carry them.
however, with the facts and figures we
nav" presented, every one will have the
n'"h- OF estimating the significance Of
A'N4e important elections. The Democrats