New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-18
EAIR PROSPECTS.


Good news as to the progress of the cam
paign, it must be admitted. comes from every
quarter The recent accounts from California
and Indiana, the reports of mon who are among
the best informed in these and other Western
States, the canvass made by Republican clubs
IN New Jersey, showing small Republican
plurality, the continued changes from the
Democratic to the Republican side on the tariff
question in New FORK and Connecticut, all
look we'll But the danger just now is that
these and similar accounts will be accepted by
Republicans at more than their proper value.
The time has not yet come, if it ever comes,
for what may be called the silly and shouting
season of the campaign. Dragging and torch
lights waste force and convince nobody. The
campaign thus far has shown remarkable
desire among voters for information. and a
really wonderful indifference to the ordinary
cap-trap of Presidential contests. 1t would be
exceedingly dangerous to Republican prospects,
in such campaign, if any over-conidence Oh
success should cause a cessation or relaxation
Of the labmious effort to inform and educate
the voters. or a relapse into the shouting and
Boosting form of activity.
Here is a canvass, probably more accurate
and trustworthy than any ever made In New
Jersey by either party prior to this year, in
dicating a probable Republican plurality. But
IT does not, for it cannot possibly, take account
of all the unworthy or floating vote. or Of the
probable destination of Prohibitionists or labor
voters who leave the tickets offered to them. or
of the precise effect of the hquor-dea en-
deavors to defeat the Republican party and
thus to bring about repeal OF the Option
License law. Then, if everything had been
taken into account, no one could feel reason
ably confident that the changes during the
| coming six weeks would not exceed thousand
| in State casting 100000 votes. There is
no sensible course but to press faithfully and
untiringly the work of education and informa-
ton.
So the official report that clubs in this State
numb ring 5000 voters for Harrison are found
| TO embrace /, 500 who were formerly Demo-
| Gratis, though undoubtedly true, may easily be
understood as proving far too much. In some
| localities unquestonably more than quarter
of the entire Democratic force has gone over
| to the party of protection. and this is Joyful
| fact. But there are many more localities where
the changes have been comparatively few and
there are some where changes in the opposite
| direction seem to be moro numerous There
| is large body Of Democratic voters who Will
not support Mr.. Cleveland and his free-trade
| policy, it is true though but portion of them
will Join Republican clubs. But there are
some voters on the other hand, who were for
Mr. Blaine in 1884. but will now support free
| trade and Cleveland. Some follow mistaken
L 10 ~
| can ascertain with accuracy how many voters
are changing in either direction. and the only
sensible course is to press the work of informa-
ton. which has thus far resulted in evident
Republican gains.
Let it be remembered that no party manage
ment knows or can possibly know, just how
many new voters there will be this year.
Philadelphia dispatch announces that assess
ment rolls show an increase of 20 600 voters
in that city. The new naturalization in all
Eastern cities will be large The number of
voters coming Of age, in excess of the number
removed by DEATH is about per cent every
four years-that is. about 100000 in the codn-
| try. The party which neglects or fails to con-
vince the new voters may be sure that shout
| ing and the fare Of torches will not make up
for that neglect
The Republican campaign has advanced
splendidly thus far, and the elections held, as
well as the accounts from doubtful States al
ready mentioned. make it clear that the Re-
pubicans can win if they try. 1t remains for
them to try, in earnest, patiently, and to the
very end of the campaign, striving to win as
many voters as they can to the support Of Re-
publican principles.