Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-24
'atch to The EVENING STAR.

Special Dispatch to The EVENING STAR
NEWARK, n. j., Oct. 24.-The New Jersey politi-
cal situation is always peculiar. Under normal
conditions the state is always democratic In the
popular vote and usually has a republican egisla-
ture. Hence, reputation abroad as a doubtful
state, TO which New jersey Is less entitled than
some others considered more certain. There are
two distinct campaigns in progress in the state
this year, both OF national Importance both earn
est, and both In some doubt one consists OF the
effort TO overcome the democratic majority and
give the state TO Harrison and Morton, and the
other TO win enough doubtful legislative districts
from the republicans 70 carry the legislature for
democratic Senator. Just at present It looks II
both endeavors might fail; the democrats carry
Ing the state for Cleveland ana the republicans
carrying the legislature
When Mr.. Harrison was nominated, the republ-
cans thought they could carry New Jersey. The
protective tarin policy had never been challenged
pubucans besides, who had been fghting the air
in 1884 and 1885, believed that the basis OF the
Mills bill they could sweep the stale for Harrison
The democrats however, accepted the issue with
marvellous promptitude. How thorough the party
discipline Was appeared when Representatives
McAuoo and Pldcock gave their adherence TO the
Mills bill The mugwumps or 1854 came into line
as In favor OF tarln reform, while the very con-
reduced the democratic majority In the state TO
1900, was gradually Won back So far as the
protective Issue was concerned, the hopes Of the
repuolcans nave been gradually dissipated; but
they stlll have an issue on which they count. They
believe the prohibition vote will be materially re-
duced under the Influence OF the high license and
local option legislation by the republicans last
winter, and that they may win with this. They
also hope for much from the lack OF energy shown
oy the democratic committee. That the commit
tee is not an especially efficient body is apparently
true, and that so far the leaders have not done
much TO help II is common report On the other
hand, the republicans have an efficient organlza-
ton, and some young blood that has done much
work. Stil there is time enough for the kind of
energy most required from the Democratic mana
on no nrnh
bition vote are not well-founded IL will fall OF
heavily from 1856 but 1t Will hardly be reduced
from 1854; and counting the other influences, the
chances all favor majority OF from A. 900 TO 1000
for the Cievelsnd electors. This is an Impartial
view, taken from the statements OF both parties,
For a week, past the national issues have re-
ceiyed less attention In the state than that OF
TEE COMPLEXION OF THE NETT LEGISLATURE
1t has been borne in upon the politicians that the
majority In the next Senate may depend upon the
vote OF the Senator from New Jersey elected this
winter. Two years ago both parties made the
grave mistake OF having only a single candidate
each for Senator; As result. ex-senator sewell
was defeated, while ex-Gov. Albeit, the democrat
who defeated him, lost the election by a bolt
which resulted In the choice OF Senator Blodyett
Now Mr.. Albeit has a companion TO help him
carry the legislature, Senator Mcpherson, whose
term expires next March, while Gen. Seweil Who
contrary 70 expectation is again In the contest on
the republican Side, has William Walter Phelps
and half dozen Others But Mr.. Albeit has
never been thoroughly confident that the demo-
Gratis could carry the next legislature. The dis
trcting OF the state is against IL, and there are
other factors, outside OF the strength or the
republican candidates. and as for senator McPher-
son, be has been in a curlousy undecided condi-
tlon, and is aware that II the legislature did 20
democratic, he would still have Mr.. Albeit 10
beat and the bulk or the Little democrats, a fac
tlon OF anti-McPherson men, to overcome. In
Short, the democratic campaign for senator has
never been or a cheerful Kind. on the other hand
the republicans have never had much doubt that
they would carry both branches OF the legislature
Their high-lcense, local-option legislation has
helped them, and the natural advantages Of The
contest are with them, while Sewell, Phelps, Geo.
A. Halsey, Frederic A. Potts. and others are all
working with extraordinary vim for the election
OF assemblymen. "The real contest" said a
sharp-signted politician to-day, 'is between
Phelps and Sewell," and certainly the btuerest
features or the campaign have been developed
since the two entered the contest actively. The
nomination OF republican assembymen In this
county has, for instance, hinged almost entirely
on that question. So far Mr.. Phelps appears TO be
ahead; but the warfare Will be waged until the
election for senator Is held In January Mean
while a legislature favorable to one or the other
Will probably be selected In November