Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-15
THE MAINE ELECTION.

ton OF Ine party IeldtAoHs "HiCn eA4Sleu
year ago. In 1879 the vote of Maine was
as follows: Republican, 1896; Green
hacker, 1880; Democrat, 2l,663. The
Greenbacker and Democratic vote CON-
bined gave majority of 492 votes against
the Republicans. This year the Green
hackers and Democrats fused, and though
the vote of the State is five per cent.
larger than at, the last election, the rela-
lions between the parties appear to have
undergone no other change than is
indicated in an increase of 8 votes
in the Fusion majority. Last
year it was 1872; this year it is 500; and
that is the extent of the revolution.
The increase in the vote was divided
about evenly between the Republicans and
Fusionists, but it is significant that the
Republican strength has remained solid,
for this shows that the Greenbackers made
no impression upon that party. The
Maine Greenbackers drew the bulk of
their strength from the Democracy, and
when they fused with the latter it was
little more than a reunion. 1t must be
remembered that Maine has been a
doubtful State since 1876, and that
the Republicans had uphill work
there in the past campaign. The Temper
ance vote was not large, but in so close
contest it may have suffced to
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able since it is stated that the Prohi
bitionists almost all cast their votes for
Plaisted, the Fusion candidate for Gov
ernor 1t is of course apparent that the Re-
publican managers were deceived in their
calculations, for though they did not look
for large majority they certainly
reckoned on carrying the State. They
have apparently counted too much upon
the indisposition of the Greenback rank
and file to play the part of cat's.paws for
the Democracy. As the majority in this
election has incidentally Endorsed Garce-
Ions fraud, however, it is plain that no high |
views of political virtue were to be looked |
for from such elements. A more conspicu-
Gus satire on party platforms and |
professions, indeed, has never been exhib- |
tied than is shown in the positions of this
triumphant majority. 1t is composed of
men who pretend to occupy hard-money
platform of men who pretend to occupy
soft-money platform of men who pre-
tend to indorse Hancock's declaration about
free ballot and fair count, yet who have
just approved the most infamous crime
against the suffrage ever committed In
truth these Maine Fusionists had no con-
sstent point of contact but their mutual
desire to defeat the Republicans. 1t would
be folly to regard their victory as repre-
senting the triumph of any principles, for
they themselves evidently possessed none.
The Greenbackers call it a Greenback !
victory. The Democrats, with much more |
justice, claim it as Democratic victory. |
That it is the latter and not the former is
susceptible of instant demonstration.
Nobody imagincs that it will make
Viewers prospects any brighter. Every
one sees that whatever effect it has Will |
be to the advantage OF Hancock. The |
Maine Greenbacllers were cats paws forthe |
Democracy, and they have filed that
humble and than6less office very efficient
ly. They have however helped Hancock,
and that is all they have done, beyond !
confirming the position taken by the Rec,
ORD. UNION, that Greenbackism is nothing
but Democratic side-show. The afiili-
alton between the Democrats and the
Greenbackers in Maine shows where the
latter belong, and fixes the position OF all
who advocate their silly and mischievous
doctrines. In the coming Presiden- |
tial campaign in Maine they viii
sink out OF sight, however, and
the Democrats viii come TO the
front. As TO the effect of the Maine
election, we think it Is already fully de-
veloped. The first shock OF surprise was
depressing to the Republicans, but as they
study the figures they viii see that in
reality no heavy blow has fallen upon them.
The fact that there is no currency issue in
Indiana in the present canvass renders |
it certain that the Greenbacker claims |
viii have no effect upon that State |
The fact that the Democrats have, |
after all, only maintained their old position
in Maine proves that no "tidal wave"
of reaction has set in. The only result of
this check will therefore be to 1edouble the
exertions OF both parties throughout the
country. The Republicans may be bene.
fitted by being made to realize that they
viii have TO fight hard for all they win. If /
there IS anywhere any apathy in their
ranks this election will shake it cut of |
them. 1t will also convince the bust |
ress men Of the country that they must |
take an active part in this contest 1t
Will OF course encourage the Democrats
considerably, and lead them to claim Ind
ana and Ohio in advance, but the Maine |
election itself shows how useless all such |
boasting l., and how little effect it has
upon votes. There is no ground for APP |
pretending that Maine will vote for Han
cock Electors in November, nor is any other
State less safe because of what has hap
pened. All that is required is an energetic
canvass everywhere from this time for
ward, and good account will be given of
the Democrats and the Greenbackers to.
Gether when the final test is reached.
CoRoNERs' DIPLOMACY
a special Coroner's jury in New York
recently recommended that an autopsy
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