Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-23
Tefegranhtc rerorts from AUGUSTA represent SEN

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Tefegraphtc reports from Augusta represent Sem |
ator Frs as saving, after having made careful |
study the state that he does mot expect Maine
to give 5000 republican majority this year."
The senator's observation, quoted, undoubtedly |
refers To tue state election, which occurs in Sep
tembor, although the report docs not so state. |
But, even with this qualification, the admission |
comes nearer a confession Of weakness than would
have been expected, unless read in the light of the
facts which show the peculiar political situation in
Maine at the present time; and without such know |
edge IT might be regarded somewhat depressing
In its effect upon republicans elsewhere, who nat
urally look to the pine tree state for sign.-and
more than ever this year, when her favorite son |
heads IN national ticket.
Fully appreCiating the moral effect OF her Sep !
TENDER election on the presidential struggle, the
leaders of each party are pursuing line OF tactics
calculated 10 help their own cause throughout the
country generally in November, but one that can
hardly fail To puzzle the uninltiated outsider. /
Thus, shrewd democrats are willing to concede a
republican majority OF fully 1890 more In Sep
temher, on the theory that whatever the majority
may fall below that figure can be claimed as demo-
cratic gain. on the other hand, willy republicans,
like the senior Senator, are quite content to fix
their ma jOTty in advance at 5000 feeling that all
actually realized above those figures can be counted
IS so much additional moral strength in the No
venber struggle.
But making due allowances for local issues and
all complications likely TO affect the result In
Maine II Is still reasonable TO suppose that her re-
publican majority will be considerably larger In
september than the figures attributed to Mr..
Frye With Mr.. Blaine at the head of the ticket, 1t
certainly ought be; and if II is greater, that
fact whether Justly or not, will be very apt to have
demoralizing effect upon his party. and particu-
larry in the doubtful states. In truth, however,
small republican majority in september is not
reliable indication OF the November outcome in
Maine. An examination of the statistics OF the
presidential years for several terms past will show
this: hut It WAS apparently most strikingly Illus
trated In 1890 In September OF that year, 1t will
be remembered the republicans lost the state by
q majority against them, on the popular vote. OF
49,. whereas Garfield carried it in the November
following by majority CT S,633 over Hancock, and
Oycr both Hancock ard the gTteEback candidate Of
4,&s5 Furthermore, comparison of the returns
Since the organization of the republican party
shows even u larger average gain than this be-
tween the first and second elections OF each preS-
DENTAL year The highest point thus reached was
In 49, when Grant made gain in November of
13,lig over the republican majority of September
the lowest gam Was that OF Hayes, in 1S76-his
increase over the september majority being only
irs and the average gatn lor the seven elections
was something over 9.tG1. From these data it Will
be seen that there is no good reason to suppose
that the rule which has prevailed in Maine for so
Intny years viii be reversed now. On the con-
trafy, there il every suppose that the In
crease VIII b. more emphatic this year than ever
before. whatever the politicians may say, or pre-
tend 10 believe, In advance.
The death of Sixth Auditor Ella and resignation
or In;!ian Commissioner Price make vacant two
Important Positions in the midst of the presidential
campaign Already there is good deal OF specrl-
latfon aS 10 what the President may do In making
the appointments. II is said that the selection OF
two 81 h important officials just at this time gives
Inn an opportunity To demonstrate his loyalty In
supporting Blaine and Loan, if he wishes to avail
himself OF IT; that appointments be made
which will help the republican ticket. 1t is sug-
geSted that these places can be used to appease
the discomfort OF some men who worth con-
cfatng, or that by EonOring some close and doubt
1ul state Interrogation the ticket be strength
ened The idea Is that il the President will permit
the campaign managers TO make use of these ap-
pointmentS they can do good, politically with
them But there doubts about his adopting
that course aside from any question OF his sincerity
In supporting Blaine Ii Is said that he believes In
civil service reform. and that he viii not do violence
to his belief and to The principles OF reform by
making political merchandise OF high positions.
At meeting u the executive committee OF the
national labor party, in New York yester-
day, q wedge was driven right through
Gen Buffers presidential prospects. The COM
nlIttee appointed some time ago to attend the
several national conventions In the interests OF
labor submitted report setting forth that the
publca.S and democrats both inserted In their
platforms the principles and policy recommended
by the national labor party, while the green
back and ant-Monopo,iSt conventions posi-
lively refused to take such action. The re-
port recommends that wcrkingnen vote for
either The republican or democratic ticket,
as their judgment or preferences may die
tate aud assures them that their interests VIII be
fily protected by either OF the two leading parties
While Cen Butler was not mentioned, his candid
Rcy and pretensiCns were practically repud!ated
L. the very house OF his supposed friends
Under the law the Ind tnapons Sentinrf is allowed
fifteen days time for Ming its answer TO Mr. Blaine's
Suit Tor libel The proprietor OF the Sentinel yes
terudy had & long conference with Senator Voor-
heeS. and II was understood though not authorfta-
lively stated, that the senator had agreed to take
Charge Of the DEFENDANTS case. With buster
that Is * brutal as was the original attack the
Ser'tI"ei proprietor asserts that he viii insist upon
the presence Of Mrs. Blaine at the trial. as well as
or her husband. IL may that this threat Is de
signed 70 intidate; that the defendant THINKS the
SUI; Wc'Ld be abandoned rather than subject the
iady 10 the dlsagreeabIe duty or appearing upon
tie witness stand In such case But now that
the suit has been Instituted, MI Blaine is not the
man TO be deferred from pushing it 10 an end.
II France stops to ascertain and consider the
continent Of CIVILIZED people, she Will not rush
h'adloHg INTO war with China upon the quarrel at
Issue The demand for eighty million francs in
ue!tniti Tor the "Lang-sen treachery" IS IN some
dis3tsrcsied quarters, thought 10 be excessive
without raising The question as To whether there IS
1uai ground Tor any Indemnity. In pushing mat
ter - extremes France subjects herself to the
cTti@tn or cToWdiac Zoe that's inferior in oil the
arr ard materials cf war. But the prompt orders
fsiHf 70 Admiral Courier 20 lombard the arsenal
at Iuc-ChOw looks as II France does no. intend to
Wa ioT any intervention or Efforts at mediation
Ndr once begun Will probably visit It's dire effects
upon many not Interested or connected with either
OF tie b-liiseren1S
II = enough TO aggrIvatc the democratic con-
FTeSSin.-S. committee TO Ind That They have been
firing lr1adSides which were intended for the enc
my into their own ranks The clerks have been in
duStriOu~ly circulating republican campaign Gocu-
nents among te faithful OF the democratic house
hold Through some sort OF blunder documents
Intended FOR the republican committee were sent,