New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-24
MASSACHUSETTS, POLITICS.

BASlS-GHF PROHlBl1lONlSIS llhfLi w i''-''
ONLY 1900 vOTEs-EFFECTs OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE ORDER-FEw REPUBLICAN VOTES FOR
GOVERNOR GAsTON-BETIER PROSPECTS.
ifRon OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRibuSE'J
Boston, Oct 22-There is loose talk too
prevalent IN and Massachusetts, to the effect that
the State election this year is doubtful one, Wth per
haps. the prospects nelning in favor OF the Democrats
This all pre mature TO put the case in the mldcst form
There is nothing winch 10 base it, other than an o
parent apathy that has followed disagreement with re-
gard to Republican candidate TOR Governor at tine
State Convention No actual division of the party grew
out of This disagreement. Governor Rice was unanl-
mously nominated, and representative Republican
leader Republican journal has bcted his nomina-
lion. The opposition TO HIM in the convention came
FIRST from the ProhIbitionists the liquor question:;
second section of state that he had offended
by his veto of railroad egsaon third from the friends
o. another ambitious candidate who desired nomination
his place. All this made animated canvass before
the convention. When it ended with the nomination OF
Governor Rice, the excitement was over and CAIN lo-
lowed.
This was not an unusual spectacle the State. There
was precisely similar condition Of affairs after General
Butler made both his campaigns carry the conventions
in 1871 aud 1873. Scarcely meeting was held III the
state, and the campaigns among the deadeSt we
ever knew. This because ii was assured tat the
Republicans OF victory. The feeling was very
similar this year. The Democra al first claimed u
have prospects, but gradually cooled of in the ardor
and the week before OHIO voted there not an intcl
gent Politician on either side who did not regard the
election OF Governor Rice by at least 10000 majority as
certain
The Ohio election altered the face OF affairs II gave
the Democrats and some OF the fant-hearted Republic
cans that country al once 10 be
revolutionized The Democrats then said; "H
is the why can't repeat our victory OF TWO
years agO4 We vii! again elect Gasion.' Iney had
previously shown 10 enthusiasm for Mr. CASTOR. He
nominated against the wishes OF four ou OF I'VE OF
the leaders OF the party and there was aque but deer
mined feeling among not few Of them 10 let him run
his own campaign without the and of either their Effort
or their money The temptation to share IN the Demo
cratic which they Thought they saw impending
was great however, be resisted They began To
buckle the harness, not with much enthusiasm 1t is
true, hut still with the purpose TO cooperate III the can
yaSs. They cOmprehcnded that the Democrats were al
work. while the Republicans doing nothing. This
was not true but has mad its effect and most Of the
stories Republican dangers anu Democratic eHpcta-
lions have grown out OF these statements The Demo
Gratis have not made active campaign as yet. They
would like il to be believed that they have but in fact
they could not have done This without stimulating the
Republicans eOu also. The truth Is, thai The kopu-
leans have really done than their opponents, and
will increase their advantage this way up to the day
of election
The only danger the Republicans have fear in Mas
sachusetts is That of OyerecuTiy Their majority here
always very large 1t reduced to the lowest point
that it ever has been, is likely be- III TIE see
ond term of President Grants Administration. Even
then II was enough all heatUl purposes There has
never been the most remote intention of allowing the
Democrats have control in the State Mr. CASTOR
was elected Governor in 1874, because 1t was known
that he was IN cmiuently safe man. not much of Dem
ocrat any way and one vino Office. would neither help
the party the other officially He chosen
with Legislature that twOto Republican, and
executive council for mis- closest advisers UNANIMOUSLY
so. The result justified expectations The Democrats
themselves do moi claim to have re zed anything more
than prestige by the choice of their Governor They cd
to reflect him The next year. but the people put their
foot upon the project and elected Governor CO. in the
face of a secession Of near 5000 Republican votes to
ProhbitiOnist ticket. Last year the contest was held
again and This time with full vote. The Prohbitionist
vote went mp 2 900, bat the majority for Gov
ernor was about 81 900.
Its tins which the Democrats Boosting that they
can overcome They expect to do 1t by the aid Of the
Prohimtonlst vote There boiling OF Prohib
ZIONIST Republicans after the Republican convention, but
the Prohihonsts keep up their organization, and have
pui their candidates in the field. They clam that they
slan draw mucn more largely from the Republicans
than hey did last year. chiefly because OF the offence
Governor Rice gave ny his veto Of Local option
mi on the liquor question last Spring Judge Ptman,
tner candidate for Governor, Is an able and much
respected gentleman. He IS poor politician, however
He muda a mistake ii the first place bF accepting
nomination while ne continues on the bench as one OF
be superior Court Judges and, in the next bv attend
ING ihe Prohinitory convention and making violent
ntiack upon President Hayes. He has lost votes
in TIE ticket has made no impression upon tire
voters OF the state It's only mission seems 10 be 20 AFFORD
"a rally point for the dScnented. TIE Prohbitionsis
themselves. party, will gain nothing whatever
Judge Pmaus course, and the association with him of
poor candidate for the second place on the ticket VIII
huri IT, There ar Republicans dissatisfied with Governor
Rice who expected to JOIN It, This ay carry mp its
vote I o or three thousand. Probably fifteen tn usand
is fair allowance for what is likely TO have Twenty
twenty five thousand claimed for it, but with
ont good reason.
As has he, ntnated it is mistake suppose
Republicans have done nothing in the way OF orgaDza
tion 1t will probably surprise many to know it, hut the
ct that they are organized to-day than they
have been in the average of election contests OF late
wears The Republican state committee has not been
king in its work 1t has had little money to spend but
that deficiency is likely to be remeded now 10 has
been quietly work however and has really done double
what Democrats have made such parade over.
There is still much more of work waiting attention;
I'M there is "a good feeling, and good foundation is
laid Tins talk about letting the contest go b. default is
idle The young more actively interested than
they have ever been The departure made at the
stoe convention in the support President Hayes has
aroused their Enthusiasm. They only ask Ia be
directed o. go cordially into the canvass. They
have established correspondence and sent agents
INTO the State. As specimen of their effort,
there Is one ward III this city where they have vol
unfairly undertaken 20 establish twenty districts, ana
IN nancy Which = nov forthcoming 10 carry them
ont These men, ana The independent men, who have
held aOOf from the party for years but come Drought III
Nv be desire 10 sustain Prcsldcnt HAYES more than
offset any ihcehoding deiectl1n. The oitce-hoding
usefulness in elections here has been enormously e2aS
garel The ofrehOdcTs have always been very active
nd too often very influential AT the caucuscs, ana
making nominations but in the real Work Of the party
what has been claimed for them. There are some eff
cient men among tel' put IL he OucIo'ucIs sun CIV
their VOTES M Massachusetts the party can be easily
run without their aid what we most Year from them
influence IA The party tcy VIII give ald ana comfort 10
the enemy something has already been eneced IN tls