Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-16
The Ohio Election.

The tangle of the Ohio election vote
has not vet been fully unraveled. This
much however appears to be certain; that
the democrats have carried the State by
majority less than that Of last year, and
the prohibitory amendment has been de-
feated.
The majority of Hoadly, democratic
candidate for Governor, is estimated at
from 10000 to Il. 900, against democrat
ic majority last year OF 1919. The re-
publican candidate for Lieutenant Govern
or is elected, but with this exception the
democrats appear to have carried all the
State officers on the ticket and a majority
Of the legislature. the latter giving them
the power to elect United States Senator
TO succeed Mr. Pendleton. Though the
democrats have elected their ticket with
only one exception. their majority is less
by 1000 to 5000 than it was last year.
The prohibitory amendment lacks from
$4,000 to 10000 votes Of being adopted.
The principal cause Of democratic sue
cess was undoubtedly the alliance which
the leaders of that party made with the
liquor dealers. the Cleveland Herald
states the facts as follows:
Judge HoadIy was nominated on the one Is
sue of the liquor traffic. He emphasized
that fact in his acceptance of the nomination.
The State Association Of Liquor Dealers die
tated terms TO the democratic party, which
the latter accepted, and the liquor dealers an
nounced their purpose to throw all their in
huence and aid on the democratic side with
view of securing Governor, Supreme Court
and Legislature favorable TO their interests.
No one at all acquainted with the working OF
the campaign in the larger cities of the State
but has had convincing proof that the liquor
men fulfilled their pledges TO aid the de-
mocracy. Money has been used without
stint, especially in Cleveland and Cincinnati.
1t was literally expended from the first, but
when the Second Amendment movement be
came formidable and there was apparently
possibility Of its success, the financial flood
gates were thrown wide open and the liquor
funds flowed freely. To prevent even the
semblance of Prohibition, annul the Scott
Law and place the legislative, judicial and
executive powers of the State wholly in the
hands of the democratic party, which had al
ready submitted to liquor rule, were objects
well worth paying literally for, aud the cost
has been heavy one. Whether it will prove
in the end to be money well invested is an-
other matter.
The result so far as the temperance
question is concerned. will be the over
throw of all restrictions on the liquor traffic
and the making of alcoholic drinks free.
The legislature elected is bound to repeal
even the Scott law, which is high license
measure. and give rum and whiskey free
course. Had the prohibitionists who
voted for straight prohibition ticket cast
their votes for the republican ticket. in
GLIDING members of the legislature, they
would have prevented the defeat of that
ticket and the free rum victory won by
the democrats. The liquor league was
shrewder than the prohbitionists and put
their money and votes where they would
do the most good-in the democratic party.
The election in Ohio turned on this
local issue. National questions were
scarcely touched upon during the cam
paign and did not influence the result.
The State is strongly republican when
national issues come to the front. 1t will
be republican next year in the Presiden
tial election. because the issues then will
be of national character. and it will be
all the stronger republican by reason of
the anti-temperancc victory which the de-
mocracy and the liquors dealers have just
achieved. When the legislature assem-
bles and gets to work reaction against
the rule OF free rum will set in which will
give republicans increased local strength
and certain and easy victory in November
1884.