Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-11-08
Aancaster fntelliqfncfr.
THURSDAY EVENING, NOV. 9. 1898
The ResnIt In PENNSYLVANIA.

The Result In Pennsylvania.
IL Is easy TO be wise after the event
and n great many opinions OF varying
merit are volunteered as to the causes
OF Republican success in Pennsylvania
this year. Ordinarily such result
would need no explanation, as it has
been the fashion In this state for the Re.
publicans to have about the majority
with which they have elected their
ticket this year. But inasmuch as the
Republicans were defeated last year by
divisions in their own ranks and the
Democratic candidates polled nearly as
many votes as the combined vote of the
two Republican factions, and AS the
causes operating since then TO inspire or
depress political parties seemed to be to
the advantage of the Democrats, they
we're confident that the vote this year
would be very close, If not in their favor,
aud the Republicans toward the close OF
the campaign were very apprehensive of
such result. Indeed, on the morning
OF the election Mr.. Quay, who is cool
headed calculator, could forecast no
certainty VI SNIINooi RhA h'uA "lNNA
the close of the polls Chairman Cooper
who is never hopeless, would have been
glad to take 1000 majority and call 1t
quits. To be sure the matter of even
1900 majority in a poll of 100000
votes is one of less than three per cent,
aud affects only an average of five votes
in every election districtin the state, but g,
as popular estimates of the Importance
of political majorities 60, il is enough TO
require explanation.
1t is in no quarter suggested as yet
that this explanation is 10 be found on 3
lack of efficiency or fidelity in the part
of the state organization. The Candl
dates, the party leaders and all who
were cognizant of the operations of the
state committee-none more keenly
than the oppositiOn-ldmit that its
work was we'll done. II was generously
supported by the party, in the main, and
the local organizations responded eli
ciently to its calls upon them, 1t is n
tempted in some quarters to throw the
blame upon the Democratic Organizl
ton III Philadelphia. That is not fair.
The city committee there struggled
against extraordinary enbarrasSments
and disadvantages, and if those who are
and have been readiest to blame it had
been as ready to help, its opera
tions would have been easier II
not more productive. Despite them
however, it succeeded in getting
out 5000 votes for the state ticket,
against A., 600 for state treasurer in ISL
as many as could have been reasonably
expected, and the big majority there i!
not 50 much due to surprisingly small
Democratic vote as to the unexpected!
large poll of the Republicans. Nor i
there anything apparent on the face o
the returns to justisy the charge tina
in any locality, or by any element Of tn
Philadelphia Democracy were the Dem
o3ratic cause and its candidates bt
trayed. 1t is to be noted that til
Republican majority in the state wi
hardly exceed the figures by which A
legheny and Philadelphia go ahead
all the calculations made for then
Most Of the Democratic counties Of Il
tate have held fairly up to the estimat
made for them, LuZerne conspicuous
distinguishing itself by remarkal
majority, thanks to Senator Coke, W
organized and led his party there.
In accounting for the greater apatl
on the part Of the Democrats, or Il
greater interest of the Republicans
the elections this year, considerable
must be had for the fact that the Repu
licans instead of being depressed by II
Ohio result, we're quiCkeued by it
grave apprehensions for their tenure
power in the country, and it served, lF
the Maine election in September, 1850,
sOlidiiy them and make them fight MOI
desperately. The continuance Of the t,
ira legislative session at HarrshuI
overshadowed the real appOrtionmel
issue ; upon the policy Of the Lcgislatu
remaining in session the Democrats We
at least divided, the Republicans uniteC
upon the merits of the main appOrlioI
ment issue the Democrats were unite
and the Republicans divided. Unfort
nately the issue of lesser 1ortance wa
by the circumstances of the case, ma
the popular question to the advantage
the Republicans.
There are, however, in PennsyIYani
about 30O, 600 voters who did not 60
the polls on Tuesday. The party whic
can get the larger proportion of these
support il during the next twelve month
will carry Pennsylvania in 1854
Post the Books
The Republicans are inclined to /