St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-20
IOWA VERY CLOSE.
The Republicans, however, Seem to
Have a Slight Advantage.
lspecial Telegram 10 the Globe. |


Dies MONIES. Ia, Sept. 19.-The opposition in
Iowa who hope and confidently believe they can
defeat the Blaine electoral ticket next November
should heed story that Col Bates, of Dubuque,
could tell them. 1t is like this In 1878 the Re-
publcans conducted an unusual listess cam
paign, and Hon. l.. L. Ainsworth, of West Union.
to his own surprise and that of the whole
country, was elected to congress by small
majority. Two years later Mr.. j NJ. Griffin of
Dubuque. was nominated to succeed
Mr. Alnsworth and made vigorous
campaign. He fair stnmper, and supplied
ample funds, bu. was defeated by 1900 majority.
In that campaign, in this, there were reports
OF numerous OBJECTIONS, and there was the same
apparent boldness among the Hayes support
ers. But in 1878 the Iowa Republicans woke mp
late in October and started back fire that smoth-
cred the Tilden crowd out of sight and hearing.
This has been the tactics Of the Iowa Republi-
can managers. They let the opposition have the
field to themselves till they get ready for business
when thcp rush in and give such majority as
they think the occasion demands Last years
vote would indicate that now, with coalition Of
the opposition so tremendously completed the
majority would be 1000 to 1900.
The opposition claim that they ought to carry
the state for these reasons, viz First, that the
Germans did not desert the Republican party
last year, but have now all vowed to
vote against Blaine. The former
part of this statement probably needs
to be accepted with considerable qualification.
Second. Then the Scandinavian vote in north
ern Iowa is in rebellion against the Republican
party because OF the prohibitory law. This
claim also needs qualification. for it must be
that half Of the Swedes and Norwegians are
English speaking brethren on this question.
Third. The Independent vote. 1t is true that
such a vote existed and had the floor for a
month or so in 1872 and again
in 1876, in both of which campaigns
the Republican majorties in Iowa were very
large. Fourth, the coal miners Although little
considered in the estimates, this class of voters
will do the opposition much good as any
claimed reinforcement. Last year Mr.. Cassett,
of Pells, was nominated by fusion in Marion
county for the state senate. He soon found that
the coal miners vote was likely to be against
him because, being banker, they feared he
would not represent their interest fairly.
! When the legislature convened the miners
formally demanded bureau OF labor statistics
and law regulating the weight Of a ton OF coal
aud the size OF screens. The former bill passed,
but the Office was given to a man whose chief
merit is Republican stumper. The second
bin was killed through the heavy onslaught made
by the coal operators, but the models OF the
screens, showing how they had been widened in
ten years from half an inch TO an inch and
quarter, exhibited by Senator Cassatt
made a profound impression on many
fair minded members. These same
screen models are now in the possession of Gen
Weaver and are being used by him to convince
miners in the other counties of the Sixth dis
trict of Republican insincerity. Could the oppo
sition be guaranteed one half of the new vote
they are claiming they would carry the. state By
10000 majority. But the experience of pas
campaigns and the fact that Republicans are tax
ing matters so easily, should teach th'
opposition to reserve some of their bubbiin:
energy for the last week OF the campaign. Thei
present claims are largely based on valid req
sons, but activity and energy are largely needles
to win success even from such hattering circum
stances as now surround them.