Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-12
THE ELECTIONS TO-DAY.

Four State elections are held to-day, but |
the interest centers on two of them. The
outcome in Iowa and West Virginia is not
doubted. The first will give its customary
Republican majority of thirty to forty
thousand, and the second will 60 Demo-
cratic by from fifteen to twenty five thou
sand. The struggles in Indiana and Ohio.
In the first of these two States fierce
contest has been waged by the Republicans
to break down, and, if possible efface, the
Democratic majority. That majority in
the last election was IA 600, and it is very
difficult undertaking to turn the tide the
other way. We have carefully examined
all the latest estimates, and have sought
to secure the most trustworthy judgments
on the situation, but though many very
intelligent politicians entertain strong hopes
of Republican victory to-day, we have
not been able to satisfy ourselves that
sufficient ground exists for that predic-
ton. OF course we shall be more gratified
by being proved wrong than by being
justified by the event, but as the case
stands it certainly does not appear to us
that there is any present warrant for ex-
pecting more than a reduction of the
Democratic majority. If it can be cut
down to ten thousand there will be strong
reason for anticipating Republican VIC
tory in November, especially if Ohio comes
forward with satisfactory Republican
majority. If the Democrats fail to hold
their own after the tremendous efforts
they have made, the result will be en-
couraging. If, on the other hand, despite
the present appearances, the Republicans
should carry the State, Hancocks canvass
will be practically concluded, for the mo-
mentum of such victory would cause
stampede throughout the North and West
next month. But it is best not to expect
anything more than the known facts fairly
warrant. There may be Republican re-
action to-day in Indiana, but if so it is one
of those movements which only manifest
themselves at the polls. As far as can be
judged from the outward aspect of the can.
vass the Republicans have made enough
impression to reduce the Democratic ma
jority, but not enough to carry the
State. The energy which has been
put into the Republican canvass must
not blind us to the fact that the
Democrats have been equally active, nor
can we fail to appreciate the Importance
of the prestige which the latter derive
from the present possession of the State.
1t may, however, be proper to recall the
circumstance that Democratic victory,
even by an increased majority, would not
necessarily indicate the result of the No
vember election, since in 1872 the State
went Democratic in October, and Repub-
lican month afterwards by large ma
jority. A great deal has been said about
the expenditure of money in Indiana by
both parties. Doubtless these stories are
all enormous exaggerations, where they are
not pure fabrications. The fact that some
of the sharpest politicians in the country
are at work on both sides rather tends to
argue more than commonly decorous
campaign, so far as venal agencies are con-
cerned, for there must be a general fear of
exposure. Republicans who are watching
the contest, however, will do well to put
their anticipations low, and then whatever
the day brings forth they viii not be dis
appointed.