St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-04

majority OF over 4U, UOO was cut down to the
vanishing point. and the Democrats elected
three out of the five congressman. This is
certainly one of the most astounding
political revolutions of modern times,
and there is much speculation as to the
causes. To say that the Republicans of Min
neSota are aSTOniShed is putting it mildly;
to assert that the Democrats are congratu-
lating themselves on getting a little more
than they expected, is simply telling the
truth. The victory is so great and sweep
ing that it will take some time for every
body to recover from their amaZement.
What brought it about? A review of the
causes brings out some interesting features.
Minnesota has always been considered one
of the reliable Republican states, and the
idea of electing a Democratic congressman
from any of it's districts has hardly even
been dreamed of. The whole country will
receive with astOnishment the Intelligence
of the wonderful transformation. The
DECLINE OF REPUBLICAN SUPREMACY
in Minnesota began with the election of
Cleveland to the presidency. The Demo-
Gratis had been so long accustomed to de-
feat-to waging hopeless conteSts-that
they were hstIess and discouraged, and
took no interest in the elections, except
upon local issues. In no presidential or
state canvass since the war has the full
Democratic strength been polled. But
when a Democratic administration came
into power the p&Tty in Minnesota became
infused with new life and ambition, and
began to grow in vigor and strength. 1t
has steadily increased ever since, until the
results of Tuesday have been brought
about. The factors in this revolution have
been the Scandinavian, the laboring and
the farmer vote The soldier vote added
good deal OF strength to tie canvass of the
late Democratic candidate for governor;
but the three first-named elements have cut
into the Republican ranks with disastrous
effect within the last two years. The Sean
dnavians have oeen rather lukewarm in
their support of the Republicans for some
time. and only the influence of their leaders
has kept them in line. They gave evi-
dence of this feeling of dissatisfaction in
1883. when large numbers of them bolted
Hubbard, the Republican candidate for
governor, and voted for Biermann. the
Democratic candidate, who is of that ma
tionality. Hubbard's majority was only
14.211. There are a number Of able and
influential ScandinavianS now acting with
the Democrats, and they are gradually con-
vincing their cOuntrymen that the support
of the Republican party is not for their
best interests. After the gubernatOrial
election in 1888 the Scandinavians went
back into the Republican ranks and sup
ported Blaine. Bat the election of Cleve-
land had perceptible effect upon them
ONE OF THEIR CARDINAL TENETS
being LOYALTY to the one at the
head Of the government-and, besides.
they have become very much dissatisfied
with the conduct of state affairs by the
Republicans. They are, in fact. ripe for
breaking away and coming over to the
Democrats. AS rule, they are agricul
turists. and the burdens Of the wheat ring
and the elevator monopoly are keenly felt
by them. Republicans generally control
these public vampires, and that party has
fOStered and protected them and enabled
its favOrite members to build up per-
nicious system which has entailed an
endless amount of hardship on the farm
ing classes. The Scandinavians recognize
this, and consequently their party ties are
not very strong Their support of Ames
in the present campaign-which was eS-
pecially pronounced in the Fifth district
was due to this cause. They looked upon
McGin as the tool of the wheat ring. the
elevator men and the Millers' association.
and they set the seal of their condemnation
upon these evils by supporting their candi-
date. This was one of the elements which
contributed TO the large increase or the
Democratic vote. The snubbng of Charlie
Gilman in the Republican convention had
good deal to do with the Scandinavian de-
lection. He is great favorite with them,
and his intimacy with Congressman Knule
Nelson adds to his strength. Nelson was