The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-10-20
GUESSING ON THE GENERAL RESULT.

COnceding that they have no show tor q
single southern state, the only show for
republican success in the pending presi
dental contest lies In their carrying all the
Northern states including either New
York, Connecticut or New Jersey With
out one of these three their case is hope
less, though they carry every one of such
doubtful states as Indiana, Michigan, Min
nesota, Nevada and California.
Can the Republicans carry Connecticut
The state gave Cleveland 1874 majority
four years ago, and since then, at each re.
curing election, has shown Democratic
majority on the popular vote. The only
reliance to change that vote at the pen
ding election Is on the free trade scare.
Gan such flimsy device be expected to
succeed with people so exceptionally
shrewd and intelligent? The manufactur-
ers of Connecticut are largely engaged In
the wooden business, which for the last
few years has been greatly depressed and
they look longingly towards free wool to
help them out. The late town elections In
Connecticut showed that every closely con
tested locality the Democrats more than
held their own. There is then no fear
among Democrats of the loss of Connecii-
cut
How about New Jersey? -Four years
ago Cleveland's majority was 4,4l2, and
the Democrats have held the state steadily
since then 1t is largely manufacturing
state, and the free trade scare has been
worked among Its laboring classes with
uncommon assiduity, but with what effect
was shown by the recent charter election
In Newark. A square political issue WAS
made, and every factory voter was sup.
piled with Republican ticket with a
warning printed on its back that a vote for
the Democratic Candidate was vote for
" tree trade and lower wages Yet the
Democrats succeeded by 600 majority,
though the city heretofore had always
given majority of from 600 to 1900 the
other way The Republicans no longer
claim "a fighting chance in New Jersy,
Then as to New York, state in which
a revolution indeed, is their only hope.
With Blaines recent revolution in his
own dear state OF Maine showing clear
Democratic gain of 3 per cent on the pop
ular vote, what encouragement can there
be for revolution" that shall show vast
republican gains In New York The state
has been almost constantly reliably demo
cratic for the last 25 years, the only notable
exception being In the Hancock campaign
of 1880 A year ago the Democrats carried
1t by 1900 majority. The lightest Repub-
llcan claim is that they will be able to GO
to Harlem bridge with 10000 majority, to
overcome which Cleveland must have over
70 600 south of that bridge, where he had
but 63, 900 four years ago. But 1t is to be
remembered that Cleveland lost at least
10000 votes In New York city four years
ago through the treachery of Boss Kelly
while at this election no such trouble Is
anticipated. Then what ground is there
for the Republican hope of getting to Har-
lem bridge with 10000 msjority9 They
have not come within $4,000 majority Of II
at any election In the last ten years, That
Gov. Hill himself is not alarmed about
New York Is shown by the fact that he Is
now following up Blaine In Indiana. 6
state about which he Is evidently more
concerned than his own. Thus the Demo
Gratis feel entirely sure Of (p all the south.
ern states; (2) New York. New Jersey, and
Connecticut; and (3) Of more than q fight
Ing chance In Indiana, California, Michi
gan, Nevada, and Minnesota, though they
really don't need one of the last named