The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-10-23
ILLINOIS.

ALLANV-G
The New York Herald, the leading
newspaper of the world, has had a trained
correspondent in Illinois for some time
past, and in recent issue publishes
the result Of his observations. 1t is the
conclusion of the correspondent that this
state is very likely to cast its electoral
votes for Cleveland and Hendricks In
the course of its remarks the Herald says:
Illinois to day represents field which
lies fallow for democratic cultivation from
now to the November election. Their
are possibilities in the fight for governor,
in the legislature which is to choose Il
United States senator, and if vigorous
campaign were inaugurated and honestly
kept up set of Cleveland electors could
be chosen. The claim of the republicans
is that in presidential years Illinois is re
publican by from 10000 to 10000, Gar
fields majority having exceeded that fig
ure But in Iowa the majority for Gar
field was nearly $4,000, and the leaders
this year are only claiming $4,000 to co.
000 The same figures are gwen by the
leaders in Illinois, who admit that they
do not expect to do near as we'll as four
years ago.
Two causes combine to make Illinois d
doubtful state this year-the disorganiza.
ton and factional fights among the re-
publicans and the natural drift Of politi'
cal events, which has been steadily to,
ward the democratic party. No one
knows the extent of the republican dis
sensions because the management OF the
campaign is a close corporation in the
hands of two of Logan's henchmen
Jones, the chairman, is country politi-
clan who has acquired some notoriety by
refusing to resign his position as United
States marshal in accordance with thu
civil service rules, while in his capacity
as chairman of the state central commit
tee he collects money from federal en-
ploycs.
v hen Logan was nominated for vice
president the friends of eX-COngressmar
Farwell came to the front and were ready
to put their time and money into The
campaign. Senator Cullom, though hos
tile to Farwcll, was also eager for an az
gressivc fight, all the interests agreeing
that they would first secure the legisla'
ture and then settle among themselve!
who should be United States senator
But the Logan people were not satisfied
with this arrangement; they insisted OF
running matters to suit themselves. Ii
consequence they have been practically
without funds, and there has been nj
united campaign.
As to the natural forces which art
Strengthening democrats, Illinois has {
larger per centage of German voters thai
any other state west of the AlleghanieS
excepting Wisconsin. 1t is larger than al
the other nationalitics grouped together
including the Irish. The tendency ha
been steadily away from the republican,
since 1890. In 1882, when two state Off
GERS were to be filled, one of the republi
can candidates was Objectionable to thu
Germans and he was beaten. So in two
years the republican majority of 40,O0C
had dwindled to zero. In the last tive
years the hold of the democrats on tbi
German contingent has been strengthened
and today the German press is a unit 70
Cleveland and the race leaders are on thu
same side. A. G. HesinS, SO long thu
leader of the German republicans in Ill
inois has cut loose from his mooring
entirely and is working day and nigh
against Blaine.
Another element in the democratic pos
sbilties is the new vote For some year.
there has been marked emigration from
the rural regions to Dakota and othe
western territories, which has been draw
almost entirely from the republicans. TIL
vote in the cities has steadily increased
and the increase has been to the advant
age of the democrats. Chicago is of cours
the most striking example. In 1880 Cool
county, of which the city is part, cas-
100000 votes, and gave Garfield II ,00
majority over Hancock, In 1882 it was
practically stand-of between the twt
parties. In the spring of 1882 Harrison
majority for mayor of Chicago was 10000
This year the local managers of both par
, ties agree that the vote in Cook count!
will reach 1875 200, and the county is con
coded to the democrats by ma ority o
5000 which may be increased to 5000 b.
proper effect.
Another reflex element favoring thu
democrats is the stray greenback vot'
which will come back to the fold. Fou
years ago Viewers vote in total
more than 692, 900 was 10000. Three
: fourths Of it was of democratic anteced
ents. Eighty-fve per cent was countr.
vote, a legacy Of granger movemen
among the farmers. This vote is who'll
free trade, and Butler, with his protection
} speeches, cannot capture it. In fact h
has failed to make any impression on il
and the Butler movement in Illinois vii
be confined to few hundred votes cas-
by the Chicago socialists. That the bull
of the greenback vote will drift back t.
the democrats in the coming election
there is reason to believe.