St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-08-21
The Next Congress.


Tt has been stated that the Republi-
cans, in view of the fact that Garfield S
prospects of election are not very
energies on the election of a majority
of members of the House of Representa-
tiyes in order to hamper and embarrass
a Democratic administration and thus
prevent those reforms which such an
administration cOntemplates. 1t Is
urged that a large number of districts
are represented in the present Congress
by members who were either elected by
a plurality vote or by very small ma
jority. The Republican plan is to pick
cut . sufficient number of these close
districts to give them IL majority and
then, by lavish use OF money and other
appliances, to carry them for the Repub
lican candidates.
The plan is feasible, ami, if not met
by counter-etforts on the part of the
Democrats, might prove successful.
The Republicans can work to very
great advantage in those districts
in the North which are thcEly
settled and abound in manufactures,
with large numbers OF hands under the
control Of single individuals. In those
States, too. in which they have had con-
troll of the Legislatures, they have uni
formly so formed the Congressional
districts as to give them an unfair rep
rescntatiGH. IN Ohio particularly where
the Democrats have iii the present Con-
gless eleven members to ten Kepnbii-
cans, the last Legislature has so changed
the districts as probably to reverse these
numbers in the next Congress. They
have resorteI to other means equally
as unfair,
The Democratic majority in the pres
gains would give the Republicans con-
troll of the next House. The Democrats
are certain to make some gains. For
instance there arc a few Republicans
and Greenbackers from the South
WHOM is would he easy to replace 10y re-
liable Democrats. II this way we may
expect d gain of one ,,le4Iuer IN each
of the States Of Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee,
Alabama and Texas. The South ought
to be as solid in its vote for the Demo
cratic candidates t9r Congress as for
the Presidency. VIII tins result, and
with the districts at the North winch
are overwhelmingly Democratic, there
is very little left to be done. The Re
publican plan might then be initiated
and vigorous efforts concentrated on
certain doubtful districts in the North
ern States.
But the success Of the Democracy in
the contest fos q E.a;ority i'll the House
of Representative depends upon per-
feet harmony in the Democratic ranks.
Success is unattanable it the welfare
of the party is to be subordinate to the
claims of particular individuals. Hence
every effort should be made to harmo-
nize all differences, and to heal all dis
sensions, in those districts where want
of harmony endangers the success OF the
Democratic ticket. In districts such as
the Third District of Louisiana and the
Eighth District of Missouri, in which
the people seem to be divided on the
subject of the nomination, there should
be a perfect union on candidates that
would prove acceptable to the mass Of
the Democratic voters.
A Democratic victory would be but
half a victory If the Democracy should
fail to obtain a majority in Congress.
1t would be complete only by having
every department in the hands of the
party. This result can be
accomplished only by vigorous and
earnest work in those places where it is
most needed