New-York tribune., 1879-11-03
mr. coyyrCTICuT ELECTYOY.

THE CONNECTICUT ELLCJION.
In their interest in the elections which take
place in other States tomorrow the k.pun"-
cans of Connecticut should not forget THAT
they have an election at home hardly less inl-
nortont than those in NewYork and Massa-
chusetts Upon The complexion of the Legls-
l,ture to he chosen tomorrow may depend II
ITn;tcd States Senator and the electoral vote
or tho State i'm the Presidential election next
vear The ill-advised action of some Kepup-
Icops and the apathy of others at the October
eIect,on. by which the biennial sessions amend
mopt was defeated. have furnished the Dem
ocrotic managers an opportunity for stili-
hunt in an off year which oney WIN
NOT bo slow to make the most OF. lt Is
believed, indeed, that while the hepuoiic'nS
were inactive and idle in the confident expec-
tation that the adoption OF the ahehoheh'
vould remove the necessity for campaign
labor. the Democrats were quietly organizing
and making preparations TO carry the Legls-
lature and take the State by surprise. Ihey
were fortunate In having the assistance OF
some prominent Republicans in the further
ance of their purpose; and the consequence
was that the defeat of the amendment found
them organized and ready for work. while the
Republicans were utterly uhprepared. Ii Is
feared that the situation has improved very
little since, and that the Democratic plan may
succeed through Republican negligence and
apathy.
THE TRIBUNE has heretofore pointed ont
the reasons why the Democrats were so hostile
to the amendment and so urgent for an cleo
ton this year, and has indicated their pro-
eramme. In an off year and by still-hunt
they hope to carry the Legislature; and,
having the Legislature, to repeal the cleo
ton laws, or so modify them-as they have
habitually done whenever they had the
power-as TO permit certificate voting, open
all the minor courts to loose naturaiiza-
ton, and throw down all the barriers to fraud
upon the ballot-box which have been enacted
by Republican Legislatures In the interest OF
an honest vote. This done, they believe they
can carry the State in 1880, give the electoral
vote TO the Democratic candidates, and re-
tnrD Nh Eaton OF Mr.. Barnum to the Senate.
From all that we can learn of the situation
in the State, we believe there is reason to
fear that the scheme may succeed. Ex-Sena-
tor Barnum was not born yesterday, and he
looks great deal further ahead than to-inor-
row. Next to buying mules, his best hold Is
organizing still-bunt i'll quiet time
for representatives in close and doubtful
towns. In the chairman of the State
Committee he has shrewd and experienced
coadjutor, who knows where MIR. Barnum's pc
culiar arguments will do most good, and can
be trusted to put them there without public
advertisement or O band of music. They GER
tainly mean to carry the Legislature and
pursue the plan set forth above. This is no
time for croaking. and there Is no occasion
for it anywhere else except In Connecticut.
There would be no cause for anxiety as to
the result there if there were any certainty OF
full Republican vote. But it is TO be feared
that great many Republicans in the farming
towns will forget that there Is an election
until they read the result In their weekly
newspapers.
The chief hope of the Republicans is in the
sweep of the tide. The current is with them
everywhere, and is so strong that 1t is not
impossible they may carry the Legislature
without an effort against the still-hunt and
active exertions of their opponents. 1t is to
be hoped that they will, for this is time
when there should be an advance all along
the line, and no weakening anywhere. We
should be more confident of it, however. If
we could see q little more interest man
ifested.