St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-17
Villas on the Situation,
Especial Telegram to the Globe. !


CHICAGO, Oct. 16.-Wm. F. Villas, mem
Der of the national Democratic committee
from Wisconsin, was at the Palmer house
yesterday, and talked freely with the GLOBE
correspondent regarding political matters,
especially the prospects since the recent cleo
tion in Ohio
81 am neither cast down, deceived or dis
appointed" said he, ''and, on the contrary,
feel very we'll satisfied at the result. AS a
member of the national committee 1
was opposed to making Ohio in any
sense the battle ground, or test, and al
though it may have been so regarded by over
sanguine Democrats, in no sense is it true.
The feeling that was abroad that we had
some chance of carrying Ohio was born and
grew more from wish than the possibility of
it. AS an important election approaches we
are liable to let our hopes overcome and
cloud our jud gments. 1t is this
this tendency that spread abroad
on the eve Of election the idea that victory
was possible for US. However, the result has
greatly relieved me, and / see in it pre-
sage of ultimate triumph, and 1 regard the
election OF Cleveland as certain as anything
can be that has not already taken place.
confess that am somewhat disappointed at
the actions of the Germans, but there is
great deal of consolation to be drawn from
the outcome. Take the last seven October
elections that have taken place in Ohio, and
average the majorities, and you will find
that the Republicans have had little more
than 20, 200, SO that this year shows a falling
off Of more than one-half. Then take into
consideration the means employed to gain
this result. The letting loose of the most no.
torious rascals in the Republican party in the
state and the employment by them of means
that it is but mild to characterize as un-
scrupulous, the Blaine procession through
the state, the putting into the hands of lot
Of negroes and scoundrels, club and the
revolver as they did in Cincin natl to oyerawe
and intlmidate the voters-all these methods
and means were employed with pitable
result of 10000 majority. No, sir, there is
nothing to discourage in that, but let US
look at the general drift. Seven states have
held elections since the nominations were
made, and each and all with the exception
OF Maine-show Democratic gains. Maine
should not be considered, as all are aware of
the means used to force its verdict, but in
Vermont, where the voting was done without
outside influence, there was a fall
ing off of the Republican majority
and West Virginia, which Elhins said was a
mere question of finance, more than doubled
its majority, and that in the face of the cor
ruptionists and their money. There are
drifts of popular opinion that cannot be ig-
nored and sufficient reasons for the faith
that is in me-"
"Then you are confident that Cleveland
viii be electedl' interrupted the reporter.
''More tnan confident. / am certain, and
will demonstrate to you why We start
with 153 votes from the south. No one will
dispute that fact since the West Virginia ell
ection, and add to them those of New York,
New Jersey and Connecticut, which are all
sufficient. 1 do not estimate in this caIcula-
ton Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and
California, which are reasonably certain.
New York and New Jersey are so sure
that one need not give reasons for
his belief in their verdicts. The sentiment
Of New York invariably overfows into Con-
necticut and carries it into the same chan
mel. Then, to make it still more positive,
the Prohibition vote is very large in that
state this year, while the Independents are
very respectable number, enough to insure
to US, evep If not affected by the feeling
mentioned, those three states. Then
with Indiana possibly included, make
the battle ground with the portion
reserved from what it was in Ohio, as they
must fight to dislodge US, and it can't be
done.n
''How will Ohio effect you in Wisconsin,
''It certainly will do US no damage, for we
discounted it beforehand and the Republi-
cans are the disappointed ones, not We. The
same influences that impelled the Germans
with the Republicans in Ohio,
will send them in an opposite
direction in Wisconsin. affirm
and am willing to stand by my words that 80
per cent Of the German vote formerly Re-
publican is solidly for the Democracy in our
state to-day. There is serious detection in
the Scandinavian vote. We have no such
thing as loss from the Irish, and Wiscon-
sin cannot be termed doubtful state On
the contrary, it is to-day and will be in No
vemoer, Democratic by a fair majority.