The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-09


ing alarming about it. 1t is merely stating
the situation as it appeared.
But the moment the democrats began
making n careful canvas, they were aGreeably
surprised at what they learned. Instead OF
any inroads on their vote TO speak OF, they
discovered quiet but powerful undercurrent
in their favor. Perhaps it wouldn't be well to
paraphase James q. Blaine and call it q revo-
luton. II is more OF a revelation than reyolu-
ton But 1t is grand change of sentiment
all the same. NOW and then a few working
men are found who have been frightened into
the republican ranks by the protection
bugaboo. But where one such timid voter is
discovered, a dozen more are found who
understand that tariff reform is better than
tariff robbery. This talk about a stampede Of
democratic worisingmen in New Jersey is all
nonsense. It is a sample OF Republican
buster. The worl1ingmen will vote about as
usual If there are any changes worth noting
they will he on the part Of laborcrs who sup
ported Blaine four years ago, but seeing that
they voted for the champion OF monopoly are
now coming back to the democracy-the party
of the people. The. undercurrent already
named is among the intelligent masses.
Chairman Brice was right, so far as New
Jersey is concerned when he said this was
campaign of intelligence. The thinking
voters in this state are for Cleveland. This fact
can be ascertained by any keen observer. 1t has
been ascertained already by the democratic
state committee. The Vest-pocket voter, the
man who does his own thinking, and his own
voting, proposes to indorse the present admin
istlation. Hundreds of republicans are among
this number. They are not announcing their
intention from the houSe-tops. They do not
care to get into the list of converts that appear
daily in the newspapers. But they have made
up their minds. They read q good deal and
no amount of republican talk about the danger
to industry and prosperity will brighten them.
This undercurrent is one of the hopeful signs
of the times. The knowledge OF its existence
and progress gives the democratic leaders the
air OF confidence they wear.
Instead OF being decreased Cleveland plu-
ralty of four years ago ought to be sub
stantially increased in New Jersey. Not only
is the undercurrent of thoughtful sentiment in
CleYeland's favor but nearly everything else.
The German vote will go almost solidly for
Cleveland. II is q vote that is usually largely
republican. The unreasonable and hypocritl-
cal conduct of the republican legislature last
winter has disguised the average Jersey
German with the republican party. Some
Germans will cut the local republican ticket
and still vote for Harrison. But the large
majority, especially in jersey City, Newark,
Paterson and Trenton, will cut entirely loose
from their old moorings. They recognize that
the democrats are their friends, while the re-
publcans simply play fast and loose with
them. 1t is safe to say that the democrats
will gain from 2 800 to 5000 votes from among
the German population of the state
The temperance, or rather the prohibition
A great deal is being printed in the republican
organs about drop in the prohibition vote
1t is asserted that the so-called temperance
legislation adopted by the republican MAORI
ty in the legislature has won over large per-
centage of the prohibition vote. This Is not
true. Nearly every prohbitionist understood
that the local option and high license meas
ures were passed TO catch votes and nothing
else. They do not believe in high license any
how, and that clause alone keeps the prohibit
I,oAI
tive and local tickets are being put in the
field all over the state by the prohibitionists
proved conclusively that their party is as
strong as ever and will be maintained at the
| coming election. Then, General Fisk, the
| prohibition candidate for governor, is i'm
! mensely popular. He lives at Seabright, in
| Monmouth county, and is held in high es-
| TEEN, especially among the Methodists of the
state. The republican leaders know that they
| will be lucky if Fisk doesn't poll more than
| ernor two years ago. There is every reason
for supposing that the prohibitionists will take
! from 1900 to 1900 old republicans over to
/ their ranks this year. There ale 20OO Oh
/ 5000 democratic prohibitionists but in proper
tion to the republicans who have joined the
| third party they are very small.
! Looking the state over carefully it is hard
/ to see how New Jersey can fail to give Cleve
| land close to 10000 plurality. All the signs
| point that way, and every day makes the out
/ look DrISnL8r. ne uarlH scare JlaG ulu pre-
| vail to q certain extent early in the campaign
| has subsidized 1t has almost disappeared. The
! undercurrent of thoughtful sentiment runs
| toward Cleveland. The German detection
from Harrison will be great, and the prohibi
! ton ticket will cut heavily into the republican
vote. Where the republican chances of sue
cess for the national ticket in New Jersey lies
| it is hard to see. Everything points to large
democratic gains and the biggest plurality fol
| Cleveland that any president received in twelve
| years.
The situation is ut present unfortunate fol
| the democracy so far as the congressional dele
| cation is CONCERNED. Owing TO serious defec
tons caused by rival factions in the fourth dis
trict, the republicans may gain member o
congress next month. To give them five mem
bers is simply absurd. Yet foolish local fight
threaten such result. Senator Mcpherson
has takeRhold of the trouble, and he hopes tt
arrange matters in time to prevent defeat
Since the state is safe for Cleveland, it would
be well for the leaders to pay close attention t.
the congressional districts. Harmony ant
hard work would decrease the republican dole
CATION, and it ought to be decreased.