Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-09
....NOvEMBER 8, 1896.
The Results.

The results Of the recent congressional
elections In The United States seem to
have produced paralysis OF judgment on
the part OF the general public. Those results
are accepted rs signifying what cannot
fairly be inferred from all the facts OF the
case. Some Of the results were strange and
startling; hut taking the whole country
over, the changes are by no means wonder
ful, and mark not hall so great revolu-
ton as the Democrats were the benefci,-
rIes OF In the year 1874. not to say in 1882.
We confess that The result in Virginia
Is enough to occasion much comment.
And yet only four years sgo-in lSS2-there
were returned az elected exactly as many
Republicans n were elected at the election
last week-nsmely. six, accepting Dir.
HoPKrys's statement as true land we do not
doubt 10 that he is Democrat. This year
BnoyS IN CARKLL's district was elected as
an Independent, and was supported by
many Democrats. But we count him as
Republican. Have you forgotten your Re
publican delegation OF 1882 Read: JOHS
S. WISE, ROBERT NJ. MAYO, HARRY LIBBEY,
b. S. HOOPER, JOIN PAUL, and HENRY S.
Bowen. MAYO was usseated, We believe.
by the House OF Representatives, but the
above were the cODgre,smen-elect on the
9th day OF November, 1Ss2-ths day four
years ago-snd yet you talk as IL the Demo-
crats OF Virginia had this year suffered an
Unprecedented defeat.
How as 10 the rest OF the country?
Well, a we said last Thursday or Friday,
th re were absolutely no changes worth
meationing anywhere in the South. "The
South is az solid as ever against Republics an
misrule and sectional oppression" The
Democrats OF the South Qeaying out Vir-
ginia) have lost no strength whatever in
the National House Of Representatives. A
loss here and gain tbere-but there are
very few ipdced--is all the change.
Where were the Democratic lOssesf Look
ut the figures. In the present House OF
Representatives we have Isl Democrats as
against 141 Republicaus-43 majority. But
q change Of % from the Democrats to the
Republicans would have given the latter
majority. Ii is evident, then, that they
have not gained % in all the United States
have not gained % out OF 325-baye not
gained one in ten. But the Democratic
majority IN the next House OF Representa-
tives Is between Is and 10, so that the Re-
pubicans cannot have gained even 90.
But the Democrats lost five in Ohio In
consequence OF shameful gerrymander OF
that State. The relative numbers OF the
votes cast for the Democratic and the Re-
publican candidates show that the Demo-
Gratis have lost notLiug in Ohio outside OF
Hamilton county. and that IL the consres
sional delegation were divided according TO
the popular vote the Democrats, Instead OF
having only six members, would have nine
or ten. So there are four or five more TO
be deducted from the assumed Democratic
loss OF congressman.
The Democrats lost as many members in
Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, as
they lost in all the UDIOn-say, seventeen in
all. II We had lost as many rs II in the
Union, that change would make difference
OF 81 IN the House OF Representatives, and
leave the Democrats only majority. But
we have perhaps twice-nine majority. 80
we have gained, and not lost, outside OF
the four States named. Il not that evi.
dent. Where, then, is the Waierloos