New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-02
4 CLOSE CONTEST.

II is well that both parties enter upon the
Presidential contest this year with the con-
yiction that the struggle is to be close ana u''-
certain. If there were good reason to count
upon a Republican victory as certain, no one
who cares for the permanent success oil he
publican principles would wish to turn the cam
paicn from serious study into frolic. Nor
are the Democrats likely TO blunder through
excess of confidence. significant event is
the careful review Of the situation by 1.-The
Brooklyn Eagle" ending in this confession
"Thc chances are more nearly even between
the parties than either like to admit, ana New
York and Indiana are the battle-ground Inc
statement is in part erroneous, for The IRlB-
rNE and other Republican journals have re-
peatedly published the very facts which The
Eaglev submits, showing that Indiana with
either Connecticut or New-Jersey, will give
the Republicans victory, or that New ork,
without either of the other States named will
elect Mr. Harrison. AS "The Eagle" puts II !:
"With New-Yor the Republicans could not
help winning; without New-York they could
win if Indiana. with New-JerSey or Connecti-
cut. went for them"
In Presidential campaigns since the war, In
diana and Connecticut have gone Republican
three times. in 1868, 1872 and 1880, while
they have gone Democratic only twice. IN
1876 and 1884. Indiana was carried by the
Democrats only when Mr.. Hendricks was run
ming for President, first with Mr.. Iliden
and then with Mr.. Cleveland, and his great In
1uence in the State that partT has now lost
The vote of the people two years ago, when
Senator Harrison was candidate for re-elec-
ton. was the more significant because the FRO
hibiton vote was then 5000 larger thar IN
the Presidential election of 1884, while the
labor vote was $500 smaller and yet the Re
publican had plurality of $500, whereas Mr.
Cleveland had plurality Of 5000 over Mr.
Blaine. So far as it is possible to Judge the 1u-
tire by the past, the conclusion is warranted
that Indiana is likely to vote for General Har-
mson. As to other Western States, "The
Brooklyn Eagle'' says:
California IS not seriously TO be considered as
Democratic Presidential quantity Neither are any OF
the other States specially named; they may Vo'o
Democratic some other year. but not THIS year. Iho
snre Republican States outnumber the sure Demo-
cratic States In the Electoral College as ls2 outnum-
bers 153.
If the Democrats have no right to expect IN
diana or any other Western State, the sale re-
publican vote rises to 1877, the Republicans
need only four more to win, and Democratic
defeat in either of the doubtful Eastern States
or in any Southern State would be fatal to Mr..
Cleveland. These are certainly sound reasons
for regarding the coming contest without en-
cess of confidence.
The three Eastern States upon which the re-
suit turns are crowded with workers whose
employment and wages depend upon the pro
tective tariff. The overshadowing necessity
is to make this issue clear to them. President
Cleveland has done his part, and Republicans
thank him. Speaker Carlisle and MIR. Mills
are doing what they can, and the debate on the
bill which they have forced nearly every Demo-
cratic member to support helps to educate
voters every day. Every vote Of the Demo-
cratic majority to uphold and perpetuate the
power of Democratic trust over American i'll
dustrv and labor, such as the bi-chromate
combination which the House voted TO uphold
on Saturday, opens the eyes of manufacturers
and workingmen. The pretence that the DEM
ocratic party seeks to strike off these shackes
from industry is shown to be false when that
party rallies every vote to serve the interests
of foreign producers and Southern agents in
this country. If such speeches as those OF Mr..
Mckinley and Mr.. Reed could be placed in the
hands of every voter and read in the hearing
of those who cannot read, the result would not
long be in doubt. Three Eastern States are
doubtful, only because it is questioned whether
the Republican party has lost the faculty of
educating the people.