Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-08
ELECTIONS TO CONE.

-Four State elections OF more than usual In
terest and importance are to he held the COM
ing Fall those in New York. Massachusetts,,
Ohio and New Jersey. All these are 'tidal
wave" Stales-that is, States in which the
Republican party was temporarily bu, disas-
trously engilTcd by the tidal wave of last
Fall-and their vote at the coming election
will be of interest and importance us showing
the drift of popular sentiment. In Massa-
chusctts, Governor Butler had plurality OF
13,040 against Republican plurality OF A.
023 in the preceding year. 1t is generally
understood that he is candidate for re-elcc-
ton, and there will he a good deal OF curios
ity as TO whether his years ihcunbency
of the gubcrnatorial Office has helped or hurt
him. lie has beyond all question increased
his popularity with certain Class by his ti'
against Tewksbury and the snubbng he
received from Harvard college will undoubt-
eddy help him in some quartcrs-he says
himself that i! will give him ten thousand
votes but on the other hand, his very un-
dignitled bearing, his petty qnarrels, and
above all the very neagre character Of his
performance when compared with the ante
election promises he made 81 profusely, will,
we imagine, ALLEVIATE many voters. The can
vass will of course be lively one-nothing
is tame in which Governor Butler has a
hand the issue is doubtful But how
ever that may tie, Massachusetts, is, and
....n Sfltn m
minor State officers the Republican candi-
dates had an average plurality Of twenty-five
thousand votes over those on the Butler
licket-and the election will have little bear
ing on National issues, further than giving
Governor Butler possible boom for the
Democratic Presidential nomination.
As to New York, We need not recitc the
humlliallng story of last Fall. In few
months MINOR State officers are TO he chosen,
and VIC shall then see whether or hot the
tidal wave has rcccded. The Republican
prospect is not quite 50 bright as We could
wish, but still il is much brighter than
at times in the past. a reconciliation
of the factions is in course of ncgotia'
ton aud an effort for harmony-not sc
vigorous us might be desircd-is being
made. But the Republicans best OPP
portuni,y is found in Democratic disscn-
sion. The Democrats have pretty lively
quarrel on their hands, and there is a very
bitter feeling existing between Governor
Clcvc land and large and influential portion
of his party. But TO rely on the weakness
of the opposing organization is the poorest
sort of policy, and we sir ccrcly trust that tho
New York Republicans will as promptly as
may be compose their differences and go into
the campaign with 4 united front.
In Ohio, Governor is 10 be elected next
October In 1881 Governor Foster defeated
Bookwaller, the Democratic nominee, by u
plurality of 2i,300 but last Fall the
tidal wave rolled over the State,
and as q result the Democratic can
didate for Secretary of State received
. plurality of 1915. AT the coming cleo
ton both partics aeem confident of success.
Mr.. Thurman siys there is nc doubt of a
Democratic victory, ard other leaders say
the same thing. On the other hand, Gov.
Foster says the Republicans ere sure to win,
and the same certainty is expressed by other
prominent politicians. We shall see, next
October.
New Jersey chooses II Governor, next Fall.
There was no State election last year, but on
the aggregate vote for Congressman the
Democrats had plursi,ly Of 2O03, and they
hsd p uralty of six on joint ballo; Of the
Legislature.