Helena weekly herald., 1878-11-14

Notwithstanding this is the fourth day since
the election, we have heard but little of the
result, and that little Is indefinite. The chief
interest turned upon the election of Con-
gressmen. Not that we had any expectation
of securing Republican majority in either
house, but it was an all important matter that
in no event should the Democracy secure q
two-thirds majority in Congress, or so near
it that few soft-money Republicans could
give them possible two-thirds vote on any
financial issue with the President. There was
another possible duty that the next House of
Representatives might be called upon to dis
charge of still higher importance. 1t might
fall to its lot to choose our next President.
We think as matters look now that the Green
back party will be dissoved before that time,
nor is there much more fear that any other
party will take its place. There certainly is
little need of two parties to support the same
doctrines, and it seems more likely that the
Democratic party will become distinctly the
soft money party, furnishing its name and
organization, while the new members of the
firm supplies principles. 1t is, nevertheless,
becoming very obvious that party ties are
getting very loose, and electors are voting
quite Independently, so that it would be rather
surprising than otherwise If there was an
election Of President by the people. In case
of failure that duty deyolves upon the House
that was elected on Tuesday. The majority
of the Congressional delegation casts the sim
gle vote to which each State is entitled. As
there are now thirty eight States, it would re-
quire the vote Of twenty States to make
majority. If each had nineteen it would be
tie. So far as can be judged from returns
received the Republicans have lost the con-
troll of two delegations that they have at pres
ent-Ohio and Oregon-and they have gained
Connecticut and New Jersey. Indiana has
an equal number of Democrats and Republi-
cans, with the balance of power in one Green
backer. Florida is reported as having elected
one Republican If 80 its vote would be
equally divided. California is yet to elect.
The case stands, then, thus: The Republi-
cans have eighteen State delegations sure.
The Democrats have seventeen. Two-In-
diana and Forida-are doubtful, with chances
in favor of the Democrats, while the chances
in California, where the people generally fa-
vor hard money, are more inclined to the Re-
publicans. But even with California the
Republicans will only have nineteen States
sure. This would be majority ii any one
State was equally divided, as is reported to be
the case in Florida, or if the Greenback
member for Indiana should refuse to support
the candidate of either of the other parties.
When we remember how the last House gave
Colorado Democratic Representative in
stead of the Republican who was elected, we
have little hope that any Republican will gain
q seat from Florida, and it is possible that
other States may be treated in the same way.
The situation is far from being as satisfactory
as we would wish. Harmony in the ranks
and among the leaders is absolutely necessary.
So, too, is vigorous and positive policy.
With these the election need not 60 to the
House, but be settled at the polls.