The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-18

724, 967. Doubtless many Democrats voted
for Garfield at this election, and the showing
is illustrative rather of what State pride will
do than of an evenly-matched party contest.
These figures are used for purposes of COM
parison with last years vote, however. in
the statement that the Republican commit
tee are scattering over the State for the
avowed purpose of showing last years loss.
The vote of 1881 aggregated 624, 226.
or a falling off, from the
presidential vote, of 100, 900. Governor
Foster was elected by a majority of
"a, 300 over Bookwalter and of PA over all.
The contest of 1881 was not an even one. 1t
was charged, and many Democrats believed.
that Bookwalter bought his nomination. The
party vote accordingly fell 3O,OO0 below that
cast for Ewing in 1879. This was the fourth
State election at which the Democrats had
been continuously beaten and the Republic
cans had controlled the Legislature for three
years. As though emboldened by success,
the Republicans began to handle the temper
ance question with more or less carelessness,
and the Legislature at the ensuing session
made a sumptuary record, thus presenting
to the German Republican vote an exciting
cause for revolt. The natural consequence
followed, and the Republican candidate for
Secretary of State was swamped.
The record of State elections for ten years
shows in respect to reversals of majorities
that in 1873 the Democrats were better off
relatively by 13, 900 than at the State election
OF 1872. The gross Democratic majority i'll
1874 was 1900. A reversal in Republican
favor Of %, 600 was witnessed in 1875, which
was approved by the State election of 1876
by 1000. In 1877 there was a reversal in
Democratic favor of 10000, the major
ity of Bishop over West being %, 1000.
the next year, the Republicans regained the
State by 5000, making an apparent reversal
of 25, 900. The Republican majority at State
| r. n
maximum in 1881 of $4,000, that, as ex-
planned above, being Fosters majority over
Bookwalter. Candidates on special issues or
scattering votes are not considered in this
comparison. In 1882, the Republican adj
vantage of "a, 900 was supplanted by a Demo-
cratic victory of 19, 900; marking a reversal,
as between the two parties of $4,000. The
Republicans in 1877 overcame a larger ma
jority than now confronts them; in 1876,
they overcame 1900, the reversalS both
times amounting to a good deal more than is
now demanded. So that if as good cause
exist for reversal as existed in 1875 and 1878,
there need be little in the size of last years
majority to make Republicans apprehensivs.
The history of the period under considera-
ton shows that whenever the the control OF
the State has been shifted to the Democrats
special grievances have existed therefor,
and tilat as these grievances have been re-
moved or corrected, the restoration of the
Republicans TO power has naturally fol-
lowed, without the. help of captious,
spasmodic or sensational issues. Everybody
comedies that under normal conditions Ohio
is a Republican State. The question, then,
as applied to the present situation, is
whether the irritating causes that brought
about last years results, have been re-
moved. There can be no doubt
that the legislation of the spring
mitigated them. There is nothing in the
Scott law to repel the German vote this year
from the Republicans, and the Democrats are
not offering in their issues . single reason
based on the Scott law or on last years legis-
lation WHY the Germans should continue in
revolt. Democrats urge that if the Republic
can lease of power be extended the enact
ment of sumptuary laws will result, not that
the the Scott law is anything of that nature.
Indeed, the Scott law expressly repeats the
Sunday law, which provoked German re-
volt last year. Without this revolt Demo-
cratic victory would not have been possible.
TIL bulk of the German vote in this State
was always Republican until a year ago. No
reason has vet appeared in the canvass why
it should not resume its normal course. The
Scott law is working well; it interferes with
no ones pleasure, it yields q good revenue
to the counties, and it has taken the place
OF all other legislation relating to liquor. In
view of the favorable operation of the law it
may we'll be doubted if the Germans will
take fright over Democratic warnings Of
what the Republicans may do if given
another chance. 1t really looks as though
last years irritating causes had been re-
moved. If that be true, the rule with re-
gard to majorities established by the record
of ten years will not he worth much if it fail
to work, with fa%ctional splits in the counties
that furnished nearly all OF last years DEM
ocratic gains. F. W. E.