New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-14
TILE MINE ELECTION.


The result in Maine will somewhat disap-
point Republicans. Where they had hoped for
a small majority, the vote is so close as to
leave the State IN doubt. The returns re-
ccived from 215 towns, covering more
than one-half of the total vote of
the State, show Fusionist gain
on 1879 of 400 votes. The gain is small, and
at late hour the Republicans are claiming
the election of their ticket. 1t is well enough
to remember however, that the fight began
with the odds against the Republicans. The
National ticket received last year 1880
votes, the Democratic ticket, 2l,66S,
making total of 69,25S votes
cast by two parties now combined in one.
The Republicans therefore, began the can
vass with a majority against them, snpposing
the Fusion should hold together, of 492 votes,
and every gain for the FusiOnisJs upon this
vote would necessarily put victory further
out of the reach of the Republicans.
The result thus far has shown that, con-
tiary to the expectations of many,
the Fusion has remained firm. This
refusal of a large proportion of the voters of
the State to condemn the grossesC crime ever
attempted against an honest ballot, is another
proof that there is 10 niquity which the Dem
ocIatic party will not approve to elect
Democratic ticket.
The vote is seen to have been very heavy,
showing an Increase of about 5 per cent over
last wear. The clOsoneSs of the vote can per
hap. be more easily accounted for when
some things are remembered which R"pub-
leans have been apt to overlook in their joy
over the victory in Vermont. Maine Is
one of the few States in the Union, il not the
only State, which the return OF prosperity has not
fully reached. The hard times still exist III
some portions OF that State in grim shape,
ard the arguments of resumption, unanswer
able elsewhere, have been useless in the
presence of hardship and want. growing
partly out of the decline of ship
building and partly out of general
stagnaion which the revival of trade iii other
regions has not entirely removed. 1t viii not
be difficult, either, TO believe that those Dem
ocratS who predicted that they would get
help from q reserve vote were wise
in their generation. There has been
no inducement for generation for
Maine Democrats to go out to the polls,
and it is not improbable that a part Of the
Fusion gains on the vote of last year will
be found to have come from the
stay-at-home Democrats of past years. But
the most potent cause OF all Will be found to
b. that still-hunt which has been III progress
for the past few weeks under directions
and with funds furnished from this city.
1t is not yet clcar which side has won the
fight In either the majority Will be 50 small
that it must be called drawn battle. But in
November the issue is different. The Green
back candidate for President has declared
his determination not TO permit the Fusion
electoral ticket 10 be voted for
by his party, if he can help it,
and others of the leaders of the
party have been demanding the nomination
at the approaching State Convention of
straight electoral ticket. Should thai
be DONE an easy Republican victory will
follow in November If it should not be
dopc, the battle would be joined again more
Gcrcely than before, with at least an even
Glance for the Republicans.
Ii is nOt too early, however, to draw
an excellent moral The Republican party
has been growing too confident Of late,
and has been enjoying its victories in
advance. Work, and not confidence, wins
elections If this disappointment should
excite the parry to greater cxertons,
il will be piece Of good for
tune. The sober sentiment of the country
is with the Republican party, bat that senG
ment must be aroused to sense OF the
dangers which would lie i'll victory of
party of fraud, reputation and disloyalty.