Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-10-31
THE OHIO DEFEAT.
The Disaster Now Atspfbated . the
EAtraSagant Course ~ CsaSresa.
Neu York Times, Rep. ...

| III NeW York Times, Rep. ...ae
| COLUMBUS, October 27.-There are some
| lessons to be learned by q glance over the
official vote cast at the recent election
which the Republican members in Con-
gress would do we'll to ponder over. To
| charge that the agitation Of the Temperance
question was the sole cause of the defeat of
| the Republican party is no doubt very
satisfactory to the Republicans in Con.
gress, and they are no doubt anxious 10
throw off any responsibility that might be
| charged to their own account. There is no
doubt that the agitation of the temperance
question cost the Republicans several
thousand votes, but not enough to give the
Democrats majority, and that the candi-
date on the State ticket pelled heavier
vote than did the Republican Congression.
al candidates clearly establishes the fact
that the people of the State were in no hu-
NOR 10 indorse the River and Harbor steal
by returning to Congress those that had
opened the way for q raid on the Treas
ury. 1fthe Republicans had had for Con.
gressional candidates men OF higher at.
tainments and men who had not been
| charged with swindling, the majority OF
the Ohio delegation would have been saved
to the Republicans; but the rotten timber
was thrust aside by the voters, and the loss
sustained will probably result in a Demo.
cratic Congress.
While the Democratic victory in Ohio is
not regarded as indicating the preferences
OF the people, the shrewd politicians are free
to admit that it is an emphatic rebuke Of
the people against the loose character of
legislation that has marked the career of
the present Congress. The rebuke is as
strong as that which marked the campaign
of 1877, when Ohio Republicans refused to
indorse the administration of Mr. HAYES
al
agitation Of the temperance question,
caused the result, is shown by an analysis
OF the vote. Mr.. Pondleton voted against
the passage OF the River and Harbor bill.
AS q result, nearly all the Democratic can
didates for Congress in Southern Ohio
were elected, and those not elected were
defeated by less that forty majority, ard
will contest. Even the third officer of the
Government Speaker keifer. was severely
snubbed, and ran sadly behind the State
ticket In the northern section of the State,
the stronghold Of the Republican party
the home and field OF Senator Sherman-was
overturned and Congressional candidates
that had had Republican majority Of over
1000 were beaten by reputable Democratic
candidates by nearly 1000. The following
will serve to illustrate: State Senator Horr
was fortunate enough to manipulate bill
through the Legislature which placed him
In strong Republican district-not less
than $500. He secnred the nomination at
the Congressional Convention by question |
able means and was defeated by Senator |
Sherman's Democratic neighbor and towns. |
man Geddcs, by majority of 1850 votes. |
Senator Sherman made strenuous efforts to |
save Horr but without success. All his |
efforts during the campaign were of no |
avail. Mr.. Sherman voted for the passage |
of the River and Harbor bill, and he apps.
rcntly has lost his influence, at least tenn. |
porarily.
To those who have studied the subject, |
the conclusion arrived at is that while the |
Republican loss was heavy on account Of |
the temperance issue, the real cause for the
loss of the State can be justly charged TO
the Representatives in Congress. Despite
the fact that there was a relentless war
waged on Mr.. Townsend in all the large
cities, because of his temperance ideas, he
received nearly 1900 more votes than all
the Republican Congressman combined.
In the Republican stronghods, especially
in the rural districts, the vote was unusual
ly light. The decrease in the Republican
vote was nearly 5000 rs compared with
the vote Of last year, ard shows falling
oil of over II, 00Oas compared with the vote
for Gen. Garfield in 1850.