The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-06-23
SIDE SHOW

There is this year even les originality
than usual shown by some of the leaders OF
the Democracy in their efforts to annoy the
Republicans of Pennsylvania by the estab-
lishment and support of side-slows. For a
time they toyed.Tn fear and trembling with
Mr.. Powderly. and were even more relieved
than the Republicans when informed that he
would not permit hiuiselfor his organization
to commit harikari by running a political
muck. Local efforts were also made to
tempt the Knights Of Labor into the political
arena. but they were likewise unsuccessful,
and the Democrats now console themselves
with the thought that, after all, a Labor
side-show might invite the entrance of more
Democrats than Republicans. and then there
would be a pretty how-dye-doi
II Is the Prohibitory Side-show, however.
which best clings 10 Democratic tancics.
From long use, they think they now know
how to handle this one. 1t i, 81 far from
their own party that it, direction usually
excitcs less suspicion, and So far-from their
principles that there is less than the usual
danger Of constructing a boomerang. And
vet there are times when even Prohibitory
movements. aided and abetted by the Dem
ooracy. return 10 plague them. \ noted eX-
ample l. that of Ohio last year, when Toy.
Foraker, who lad been u~njustly defeated in
a previous canvass. was again a candidate,n
a race analogous to that which Genl Beaver
viii make thi, fall in Pennsylvania. 1t was
known from the first that Foraker would
make the race, and Hoadly knew that the
strength orbis own State administration was
more than offset by the weakness of Cleve-
lands. He therefore made all preparations
10 have Prohibition agitated more generally
than before, in the hope of taking more than
the usual 1900 voters from the Republican
party. counting OF course that every addi-
tioual vote thus diverted would pe a loss to
the Republicans and a corresponding gain Ia
the Democrats.
All men who closely watch politics can
recall the interest with which they watched
this struggle. The Prohibitionists were en-
couragcd 20 place the bc>t possible talent On
their State ticket. and -, great an enthusiasm
was promoted that even the ladies were en-
listed in many parts ofthe State. The Re
publican s~trongholds were assailed, not 10y
Democratic, but by Prohibition speakers,and
assailed with such evident malice, before the
polls closed, that il was apparent 10 all oh
servers thai at least some of the members of
the Democratic and Prohibition state Com
mittces were conducting the campaign with
an understanding, ifnot in complete harmo-
ny. This fingered the more Conservative
liquor elements. who saw their interests
were sedulouSly threatened by L Democratic
trick, the too free practice Of which had be
come dangerous. Ii also angered the more
earnest Republican Prohibitionists. who did
not want 10 pun the chestnuts from the fire
for all forms of discomfort. These rcturncd
to their party, while the more reputable rep
rescntatiyeS of the liquor interests organized
quietly To rebnke what they saw was the
plainest insinccriiy and d-emagogueism. Be
fore the canvass cls>cd Hoadly had left only
the believers in unlicensed and free rum and
the dyed-in-the-wool Democracy, and hcwas
whipped worse than u man in Ohio since
the fall Of the traitor Nallandigham.
The analysis of Ohio 's vote shows results
which the safer Democratic leaders will sean
with dismay, ifa similar campaign is this
fall ~inaugnratel against Gen1 Beaver. Ohio's
previous Prohihitory vote had been 1900.
mostly from the Republican, of course; in
the Forakcr-IIoadlcy contests the Prohibit
tory vote was over 2s.OOO. bit The entire b-
crease, aad lsach ot The original 1900, Jow
caH1c tc0m the Democratic party, aad the Re
pabhouls instead Of iosiag, gained l3,000 yotrs.
Il il well 20 recall these facts in view of the
present Democratic movements in Pcnnsyl-
vania. They should cause no alarm in Re
publican circles, for the conditions are the
same as in Ohio last fall. and the result will
be just ~, gratifying. 1t can be SET down as
a principle in politics. that Side-shows are
most attractive 10 the members of that one of
the great parties which has the discomfort in
it, RANKS, and this year, il i the Democratic
and not the Republican party which is dis
contented and dividcd-Daawarc C,plfg
t,..r,ey.