New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-13
THE GENERAL SITUITION

THE GENERAL SITUITION
The elections in Maine, Vermont and oregon
show conclusively that the Republican party
is stronger at the North than it was in 1884
or in 1880. In Oregon the majority has never
been anywhere near so large in any other cleo
ton as it is this year; in Vermont it has noo
been so large at any other time since the war )
in Maine the Republicans were defeated IN
the State election of 1880; and even with Mr.
Blaine the candidate. and with all the advan-
tage of his personal popularity and leadership,
they had in 1884 a plurality scarcely as largo
rs that of this year. So much being known,
let us see what it means.
The Republicans gave to President Garheio
the votes Of every Northern State excepting
California and Colorado, which were barely
carried by the Morey fraud, and New-Jersey'
which gave Hancock only 1000 plurality. They
gave to Mr.. Blaine the electoral votes OF every
Northern State except Indiana, Connecticut
New-Jersey and New-Y ork and in New ork
n change of 500 votes would have defeated
Mr.. Cleveland If the Republican party is
stronger now than It was in either OF these
elections, is il not plain that it has the better
chance of SUGGEST For the pride OF west
ern State is a candidate of its own, and the
personal character and popularity of General
Harrison appear TO insure success in Indiana,
which the Republicans also carried at the last
State election. If the Republicans also carry
Connecticut, as they did in 1880, while Mr.
Cleveland had only 1875 plurality in 1884,
Il would make no difference If the Democrats
should then carry both New-Jersey and New
York And again, if the Republican strength
is greater than it was in 1880 or 1854, as re-
turns thus far indicate, what reason have the
Democrats to count upon holding their scanty
plurality of 9 900 in New-Jersey in 1880, or
the microscopic difference of one vote in
thousand in the New York election of 1884
1t is the latest Democratic scheme that some
thing must be done at the West, and speakers
and money are being sent thither for vigor-
OILS campaign, it is said. Democratic man
ayers could not waste force in any other way
more satisfactorily to the Republicans. The
pluralites in Western States at the last Ma
tional election were 80 900 in Ohio, $4,000
in Michigan, $4,000 in Illinois, $4,000 in
Wisconsin. 10000 in Iowa, 1000 in MIN
nesota, 80 900 in Nebraska, and $4,000 In
Kansas The railroad presidents and the wall
Street spectators who are running the Demo-
cratic campaign know very little of the west
if they think it an easy task to overcome heavy
majorities such as these They count upon re-
suits in recent State elections in some Western
States. but are careful to forget that the Re-
publicans on that test would carry Virginia,
North Carolina and New-Jersey, with the best
iDio and
nessee. The truth is that on National issues,
and with full vote. the Western States are
more strongly Republican than in State cam
| pagn with a light vote just as Southern States
are more strongly Democratic.
Probably the Wall Street spectators fancy
they can deude Reput licans by pretended
change Of tactics, and intend to make noisy
fight at the West, while really concentrating
all their efforts on New-York New-Jersey and
| Connecticut. That is their only chance of
success, and it must he presumed that they
will see it. SO the campaign comes to turn
upon New York New-JerSey and Connecticut
| Just where shrewd men have seen from the
first that it must be decided. But the enOr-
nous advantage of Republicans is that either
one of these three States would in all prob
ability elect General Harrison, while the Dem
ocrats have to carry all three in order to elect
President Cleveland. New York and New
Jersey fall short by three electoral votes New
| York and Connecticut fall short by six electoral
votes. And IN these three States President
Cleveland has to deal with workingmen who
know what the tariff question means for them
To help them, if they are in doubt, Henry
George is crying aloud for " cleveland and
Free Trade"