The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-10-23
Impr assive Results.

The contest in two of the Congressional
Districts of Ohio attracted good deal of
attention outside of that State. The po-
litical fate. temporarily, of two of the
brightest men in the country was involved
and while, for political reasons. Republi-
cans wished one to be defeated, and Dem
ocrats the other. there was kindly feel
ing and admiration for each by his party
opponents. VIM. McKinly, Republican,
is known as one of the ablest and most
brilliant men of the present Congress,
and one of the staunchest advocates
of the protective policy. The Democrats
had gerrymandered the districts, last win
ter, under q plan they calculated would
give them is of the 81 members, and Nc
Kinly was one of the Republicans who was
to fall sacrifice to this unjust legislation.
He made the issue on the tariff question
squarely, and was elected by 1900 major
ity. securing to his State aud the country
continuance for another session of his
valuable services.
Hon. Frank Hurd stands to The free
trade wing of the Democratic party pretty
much in the same relation that Mr. Nc
Kinly does to the Republican party. He
is an able, honest. bold and aggressive
leader in the advocacy of his opinions. He
had the courage to declare that the cleo
ton of Carlisle to the Speakership was a
free trade triumph that the Morrison bill
was designed to promote the free trade pol
icy that the Chicago platform was good
enough free trade doctrine for him. and
that he supported Cleveland because he ia
vored the free trade theory. He went before
his constituents as free trader: told his
people that if they were for the protective
policy, it was their duty to vote for the
protective tariff candidate, and that IT
they were for free trade, it was their duty
to vote for him. His district was not
changed in the gerrymander, for having over
5000 Democratic majority two years ago,
it was thought by the Legislature which
redistrcted the State, safe. But This ma
jority was overcome, and his Republican
opponent, Mr.. Romeis. elected by near
300 majority.
In both of these districts the tariff
question was the distinct, positive and
unevaded issue, with the. results stated
While the Democratic party generally in
that State, sought to subordinate this i'm
portant and vital question to an issue of
personal defamation and SANDER, The Re-
publicans pressed it to the front and de-
manded verdict. Instead of five mem
hers conceded to the Republicans under
the gerrymander, they won 10, with an ag
gregate majority of 1920, against 24,S00
for the Democrats in the eleven districts
they carried. The injustice Of the gerry
mander is thus seen. A majority of eigh-
teen thousand was given to the Republic
cans, as the vote was cast for members of
Congress, yet the Republicans, with this
excess of votes, have one less member of
Congress from that State than the Demo
Gratis
"A similar purpose to disfranchise Re-
publicans through an unjust Congressional
apportionment was manifested last winter
by the Democratic Legislature of Vir-
ginia. They SO arranged the districts, as
they thought, to secure eight of the ten
members to which the State is entitled, to
the Democrats. They make that claim
now, and even go SO far as to boast of q
chance for the other two. A like disap-
pointment awaits them to that which at
attended the Democratic trick in Ohio.
The Republicans will elect three certainly,
with fair chance for two others, and not
a desperate case in two additional dis
out the State and the vote is counted as
cast, there is a possibility of seven Repub-
licans to three Democrats. Inthe 10th dis
talct we believe Mr.. Tucker will be de-
feated His known free trade sentiments
and his obnoxious record on all important
questions affecting the interests of the
people Of the 10th district and the State,
ought to cause as great revolt as was ex-
perienced in Mr.. Hurd's district in Ohio.
The same reasons for Mr.. Hurd's defeat
exist for Mr.. Tucker s, and if the people
are true to themselves and their interests,
they will administer rebuke to him as
pronounced and expressive as that Mr..
Hurd received. Courage and frmDess
will do this. If every voter who con-
dennis Mr.. fuckers Congressional record,
will indicate his sentiments at the ballot
box in November, a majority as great as
that which retired MI. Hurd will be rolled
up against him. The interests of the dis
trict, of Augusta county and of Staunton
demand this, and if the voters appreciate
the object and mission of the ballot, such
will be the case.