The Osceola times., 1888-05-19
SOUTHERN ELECTIONS.
4 Vh,iesons Lesson Taught by the he-
cent LonI.Iana Victory.

, VIII h,lesom, Lesson Taught by the Re-
cent LouIsisns Victory.
One of the staple Republican cries
/, that the South maintained its solidi-
ty against the Republican party be
cause there ia not free and fair vote
in that section. They assume that the
number of colored votes in n Southern
State represents the number OF the he
nublican votes. and that a relatively
iight vote is Indicative of a suppression
of Republican votes. Mr.. Vest, in the
United States Senate recently, showed.
by comparison of the vote with the
whole voting population in number
of selected Southern and
Northern States. taking in the whole
range from the lowest TO the highest
percentage of vote to voting popula-
ton, the Southern States chosen out
ranked, one by one. the Northern
States with which comparisons were
instituted. As Mr.. Vest explained.
the comparison was not wholly fair.
but it was in keeping with the Rcpub-
lican line Of argument Comparing
the general average of the vote in
Northern and in Southern States. and
there is an excess in favor OF the
former Of about six per cent
Thesfullness or want thereof OF the
5ote in any State, be it Northern or
Southern. depends upon the earnest
ness with which the political contests
in such State are waged. Michigan
was more hotly contested in 1884 than
in 1880, and the vote in comparison to
population was therefore relatively
larger in 1884 Ohio has voting pop
ulation but little in excess of that of
Illinois. yet the popular vote of the
former was 10, 900 larger than that of
the latter in 1884, and there has been
as great or greater disparity at every
election in recent years. According
to the Republican theory, as applied to
tho South, this would indicate a terri
bio suppression OF Democratic votes in
Illinois. 1t simply indicates, however,
that Illinois has not been in recent
years canvassed from end to end with
the vigor and persistence that have
been shown in Ohio.
The recent election in Louisiana is
noteworthy as having brought out by
far the largest vote ever polled in the
State. II fullness of vote is represen-
tative OF freedom and fairness. it was
exceptionally free and fair. The vote
is from 60, 900 to 70. 600 heavier than it
was in the Presidential election OF
1884, and 40, 600 to so. 900 heavier than
| that cast at the election for Governor
in April four years ago. The Demo
cratic vote in the State is nearly, il
not fully, twice that given for Clevc-
land, and $4,000 to 10000 more than
MeEncry polled for Governor in April.
1884. The Republican vote in num-
Der of parishes is heavier than it was
in either April or November, 1884. and
the aggregate in the State will be as
large rs at either election. The great
Pr fullness resulted IN an increase OF
the Democratic majority from Is, 00C
for Cleveland to so, 900 for Nichols.
One of the parishes most conspicu.
Gus for the increase in vote was that
of Orleans. containing the city OF
New Orleans. The vote of this parish
for President in 1884 was; Cleveland,
II, $50; Blaine, 6,S2S. The New York
Tribune is authority for the statement
ihat the election in New Orleans was
absolutely tree and fair. There was
an exciting contest for municipal Of
iicers, which had the effect of bring
ing out a vote nearly twice as great as
that cast in November, 1884 There
was the greatest vigilance on both
| sides. What was the result OF this
full, free and fair vote' Warmoth re-
ceived 4, 800 more votes than were
| poiled for Blaine. but the total OF
| Nichols was ii, 900 in excess of that
| for Cleveland, and his majority OF
nearly 1900 is larger by nearly 5000
| than the entire vote cast for Cleveland
in the parish. A full vote it will thus
be seen, is even less conducive to Re-
publican happiness than light one. -
Detroit Free Press.