Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-05-22
8ailp 9tnntbtf Journal
Augusta. Tuesday Morning, Nay 20.
HODeful Views.

Quite a number Of the most prominent
republicans in Massachusetts have been
interviewed recently and expressed their
opinions in regard to the political outlook.
Though under the immediate shadow of
Butlerism they appear to be very hopeful.
Senator Dawes ascribes the defeats of the
republicans last year to themselves. He
thinks the republicans now understand
this and will not repeat their errors in
the national struggle next year. The
tariff issue will be prominent in 1884.
The democratic party is endeavoring to
evade the question but will not succeed.
The future internal policy of the govern
ment is a question which is coming to the
front. The next session of Congress will
have much to do with the issues and strug-
gle OF next year. Our differences are
healing. The administration is doing
well and deserves a hearty support. Such
Ia brief are the views of Senator Dawes.
Another gentleman interviewed was ex-
Gov. Long. He is Of opinion that the
democrats are more divided than the re-
publicans. They have no definite policy.
no settled principles, are only held togeth
er by hope of party success. The demo-
cratic successes of last year are no sufficient
cause for republican despair of success in
1884. A democratic tidal-wave has almost
always. at the national election. midway be-
tween Presidential elections, preceded
republican victory. IL was so in 1873, in
1874, and in 1868. It is the rule. Re-
publican victory last November would
have been against the precedents just as
much as democratic victory in 1884 would
be. The reaction has now already begun.
In Pennsylvania there is clear evidence of
reaction. and the recent declarations of
disgust with the democratic party made
by Mr.. Wolff, the leader of the indepen-
dents last fall, and who made Gov. Patti
sons election possible, is very significant.
In New York, too, there is now hope
less breach between the two democratic
wings, and it must be remembered that
Gov. Cleveland's vote. large as it was
compared with the vote for Mr.. Folger,
was not as large as the vote cast in 1880
for Hancock. 1t represented republican
losses. not democratic gains. In Massa-
chusetts the present administration. to say
nothing of it, will bring out the republi-
can vote this fall so full and emphatically
that the election of a republican governor
for 1884 is certain. In regard to Butler,
ex-Gov Leng is of opinion that he has
lost ground since he entered upon the
Gubernatorial office. the Tewksbury in
vestigation among other things tending to
help him downward.
The views of Senator Dawes and ex-
Gov. Long appear to represent the pre-
vailing sentiment among all who were in
terviewed. Butlerism has evidently beena
good thing for Massachusetts republican,
ism. 1t has driven out a good deal of the
nambypambvism with which the State
has been affected in late years. and with
which it has affected other States, and
brought the leaders to a realizing sense
that they have an important work to do if
they would regain the position in politics
which the State held under such men as
Sumner, Wilson and Andrew. II they
succeed In killing of Butler at the election
next November they will do well.