New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-05
THE .STTTdTION.

The United States Senate is safe. The Re-
publcans will retain a working majority In
that body during President Clevelands term.
1t is rather RENAL k bic that although this has
been a year of political surprises for both par
ties, only four changes can be made, az to party
relations, in the twenty-five Senatorial cleo
tions of this year. Virginia has elected a
Democrat in place Of Malone; Nevada will
elect a Republican in place of Fair, the Repub-
licans having carried the Legislature OF that
State. New-Jersey and California are both
claimed by the Republicans with apparent
reas n, though the Democrats indulge hopes OF
both. But if they were able to elect Senators
IN both these States, the Senate woud still
stand 40 Republicans to So Democratic MEM
beers, and that circumstance renders it less
likely that desperate efforts will be made to
secure seats IN the disputed States The
decisive defeat of Democratic schemes to
capture the Legislatures of New York, New
Jersey, Wisconsin. Michigan, Indiana and
California is peculiarly instructive; even if
success could yet be attained in tw Of these
States, it would be barren and useless.
The control of a majority in the House of
Representatives has not been desired by Repub-
licans in party point of view. They have
strongly desired to cripple the power of the
Democrats for mischief, and the signal defeat
of the most capable free trade lea lers makes it
exceedingly probable that the industries of the
country will be exempt from raids in the
interest of foreign importers during the session
of the next Congress. Even if the Democrats
had enough votes in the House upon which
they could cDunt for such purpose, their force
l. Al 40 md
perienced leaders, in the face of the tried and
able champions on the Republican side.
Having al tanned this great result, by cutting
down the Democratic majority and especially
by killing off the most effective men on the
Democratic side, the Republicans can regard
with equanimity the pOstpOnement of re-
sponsbilitv for legislation until they can
reckon on the Presidents signature for wise
and beneficent measures, and can have the aid
of the executive departm ents in framing legis-
laticn. The very measures which Republican
majority wOnld consider most needfu to the
public welfare would probably be defeated by
the vetoes of President Cleveland, and fruit
less struggle over them Guild be of no service
to the country.
1t is necessary for Democrats to claim two
thirds of the disputed or doubtful districts,
most of which may be contested in order to
get bare majority of the next House without
the aid of Labor candidates who were elected
by Republican votes and against regular
candidates of the Democratic party. Even
then, the bare majority will include several
Labor and Fusion members, whose votes on
many questions may not be in accord with
Democratic wishes, and whose support in the
organization of the House may even be re-
fused except upon conditions. Bat that is the
affair of the party in power, and the Democrats
must get along as best they can with the
various factions they have nursed so carefully
in order to divide the Republican force.
Before two years m ore of Democratic rule have
passed, the country ought to realize that
Republican Administration and strong Repub
lican majority in both branches of Congress are
necessary to the public prosperity.