Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1886-04-20
ruE FIFrlIrH cOSGREss.

II 4. .lt years since Ihe Republicans OBJ
i.lnci = majority Ia The House OF Repre-
seuiaiiyes. The elections OF ls.Q gave
them q little more than one-hAif OF the
members, BAT In l.sg this was turned inio
q Democratic majority % over scvcriy.
The Democratic strength was rciuceiiwO
years later. bot The party SIN hAs 4 ma
jority OF f~orty.thrcc. Whether this can De
overcome Il the most importAu, political
question OF the year 20 the Republicans.
In discussing this topic much attention
has been given % The great number OF dis
trlcts which were carried BY small ma
~Iorities In isst. There are thiriy.iwO OF
these In which The successful candidate had
less than COO mslony OF plurality. Eigh'
teen OF these went Democratic. aud u has
been demonstrated that 300 or COO votes
rightly distributed would have made the
present House OF Representatives Rspaoli-
can.
~ would be = g-esi mistake, however.
FOR the Republicans 10 base their hopes OF
controlling the nexi Congress on these
slender msjOrlties. They ought 20 De
taken into consideration. bot not be made
the principal factor In planning The on
gressionAl campaign.
nNN ~ kAAu W U.s. W ~" -" -"
comparatively few districts will Dot be the
deciding poln, In the Congressional cleo.
tlous next November. New forces ADD
new elements will enter into the contest
and have the determining voice. Ayear'-
control OF the general government by The
democracy has not Increased the confidence
OF the country Ia that party. The most
blgoted Mu.wumps have been compelled
A. .N-le skN. all. 49, kaga f.Nf Rnn.
strained 10 support the President. The
inefleieney OF the present Congress, the
cloud which 10 has cast over the public
credit and it, refusal 10 DO anything 10
restore confidence In business circles have
uade a profound impression upon the
people. The dissatisfaction with the Pres
dents policy 10 bis own party must Ike
wise be 4 weighiy factor In this years
elections; and the new labor orgAnlEt.
lions and the prohibition question will al
80 be influential quantities.
The most promising neld. however. FOR
the Republicans 20 make Congressional
gains IL In the South. The awakening 10
Industrial activity there has carried with
IL greater independeney Ia political thought
and action. and the result II already mani
Testing itself There Il . pronounced ~
e~ssiness with The old methods OF The de-
moeracy and 80 unwilliugness 10 sacrinc-
ing any longer the material Interests OF
that section ar The sake .ihe party which
does nothing for IL. The eonstan. tinker
Ing with the tsrf has met with the NOS,
decided disspyroval In Southern Demo-
cratic papers. Protective principles have
tsken = strong root and are destined To
control the politics OF the South In the
bear future. The people are also ~dlsgusied
with the nlggardiy policy ofthe Democrats
which would deny them the Blair bill
aud appropriations for their rivers and
hnbors. n the Rspabllcans take al.
vantage OF these conditions and nominate
none bat strong and reputable men for
Congress, the prospect Is good for them
% carry q number OF districts Ia the
Southern States and 80 aid themselves In
securing control OF the next Congress-
HadielpAla Press.