The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-10-14
Congressional Candidates.

the Congressional elections this year.
Nothing else is of equal importance.
In the end the control of the National
Government greatly affects, even if it
does not in every case determine, the
political complexion ofState and local
Governments. But it is not by any
means true that the success or failure
of either party in State or local cleo
tions necessarily involves the success
or failure of that party il the Con-
gressiOnal elections in that State.
This circumstance is often forgotten,
and ii is exceedingly important that
it should be kept in mind this year.
AS to local and State elections, the
Republicans are more divided than
usual this year. The most import
ant cause is the influence of local
Bosses. These political managers, in
asmuch as they have but little regard
for political principles, and care only
to secure the spois with which to re-
ward their subordidates, put relative
lY little stress on Congressional cleo
tious. The member of Congress cannot
control anything. If the President is
adverse to him, or if the Senator is
hostile, the Representative is a fifth
wheel to the coach, and the Bosses
calmly calculate on that fact. Hence
it is that the ugly contest in Penn
sylvania does not affect the election
of Congressman from that State, and
that the Administration ticket in
New York is not connected with the
Congressional nominations in the
di, erent districts. Cameron may sue
coed or fail, the Administration may
control the State election in New
York or may fail utterly, and yet the
people will choose members of Con-
gress, as they ought, with entire dis
regard for the issues involved IN the
State campaign. 1t is much the same
III Univ anu L IlC1C lIlC lttll'
perance question is prominent, but It
affants only tho choice of STATE and
local officers, and has nothing to do
with the election of Congressman.
The will of the people, as to Federal
legislation, will not be governed by
their will as to license or prohibition.
The public feeling, in this respect,
is entirely reasonable. The country
ought to have the benefit of the SER
vices of the very best men that can be
elected to Congress, whether they
happen to agree with the Bosses or
with the a Administration as to local
questions. In many eases in New
York the Republican candidates are
conspicuous for their opposition to
the Administration in respect to local
affairs, and maintain earnestly the
position that the Federal Govern.
ment ought not to interfere in any
way, or to any extent, in the affairs
OF the States or the districts. But
they Will elect members of Congress
who support the Administration in
all reasonable things, because that
course is in accordance with Republic
can principles.
Republican voters ought to have
these considerations in mind when
they vote this fall. The Administra-
ton candidate for Governor or for
Legislature may or may not be the
right man to support. But there is
no reason that the control of Congress
should be thrown into Democratic
hands because the State and local
tickets are not satisfactory. Indeed,
the Republicans in several States are
giving already especial attention to
this matter. In Ohio and Indiana
they propose to elect members of Con.
gress without any regard whatever
to the question of temperance. In
pennsylvania the antagonism TO
cameron as a Boss does not ex-
tend to the Congressional candidates
named by the Republicans. In this
State men are nominated who deserve
the highest possible praise for their
fidelity to Republican principles
though they are not in HARMONY
with "the machine" In New JERSEY
Mr.. Robson was nominated some
time ago because he was opposed to
the Pennsylvania Railroad influence.
and Mr.. Phelps has just been nomi.
mated in spite of the adverse influence
OF some Federal officials. But the
Republican voters have only one
thing to do. They ought to do their
best to secure a Republican majority
IN thenextCongress, whether that ma
Iority happens to be favorable to the
Federal Administration or not. The
party ought to succeed, as against the
Democratic party, whether the local