The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-30

sold democratic vote of the state
will get the support of the
railroad employees, who feel that
in his hands their interests will be safe. Gov
ernor Oglesby beat Carter Harrison in 1884 by
just 24,599 votes out of total poll of US, 429.
Leaving Cook out there are one hundred coun-
ties in Illinois, and it was in these counties
That Oglesby got his majority, as Cook was
practically even, Harrison having 1903 plurali-
ty. Consequently it is figured that if these
one hundred counties will show an average
democratic gain of 145 General Palmer can go
UP to Cook county even, and as, outside of
Cook, the Blaine and Oglesby vote in
1854 was practically the same, there being but
5000 difference, President Cleveland can DO
the same thing. That this will happen the
state committee has no doubt. 1t has made a
poll OF the state, which shows enough gains to
bring General Palmer up to Cook with 5000
majority The prohibitionists are expected to
poll at least 10000 votes, which will detract
from the republicans. The democrats and the
labor vote feel confident of carrying Cook
county by from 5000 to 5000. Ii these figures
hold good, they would carry the electoral
ticket also. A revolution is certainly ahead.
Either the state will swing back to its old re-
publican hopelessness, or, stirred up by the
labor issue, and Palmer's popularity, it will
wheel into the democratic column.
Iowa and Wisconsin have become the battle
ground of local problems, which sometimes
oyershadow questions of national Importance.
The grangers first disturbed the political Sc
renity of these states, and later the greenbaok
and prohibition issues have conspired to break
up the states made by party leaders, and from
being states casting $4,000 to 10000 republican
majority, they have become close enough to be
N An &c -,
the last two elections is full of interest, but
hardly enough to afford solid consolation. In
1880 Iowa voted: Garfield, 1873, 9O4; Hancock,
105,S46; Weaver, (greenback) 32,327. This
was republican majority of 1912, and a plu-
rality of 7S,o59. In 1884 Blaine received 1877
0S2 votes; Cleveland, III ,266; scattering. 1861
being plurality of 1876. In the election for
governor, held this year, the vote stood, re-
publican, 169,666; democratic, 1853, 526; scatter
ing, 1900. This gave the republicans ma
jority over all opposition of only 1850, as
against majority of 1912 eight years ago.
The percentage of the democratic vote in 1880
was 1928; in 1884 it was Alb; in 1887 it was
1913. There the vote of Iowa seems to stand
and that is about the way it will be cast next
week, with slight variation from the repub-
lican figures in favor of the prohlbitionists.
In Wisconsin in 1880 the republican plurali-
ty was 29,763 in 1884 it was II ,698; in 1886 for
governor it 1S,718. Making liberal allowances
for an increased prohibition vote, the republic
cans can still.carry Wisconsin by handsome
majority. Mr.. Villas will have but very little
influence in increasing the democratic vote.
1t would be just as we'll, then, to say no moro
about these two states, for they are welded to
their idols.
OF the prospect in Michigan, there is not
oh IN 4J,nro Al
position Of the passenger who is Just too late TO
catch the train; it may not be far ahead but it
is ahead Of him all the same. An analysis of
the voters in that state for the last eight years
does not indicate q great change of votes,
only increased votes for all parties.
Garfield had a majority in that
state of $3.50, but the democrats were
slaughtered all over the union that year. In
1880 there was total vote cast of 352, AL, out
of which 1S,5190 went to Garfield; 800 to
Hancock, and "a, 795 to Weaver, the two latter
combined making 166,095 In 1884 the total
vote was 1864 which, divided, gave Blaine
Q2,669; Cleveland and the greenbackers 1885,
361 prohibitionists IS, 403. This was trial of
strength between the opposition clements TO
republicansm, and reduced the republican
plurality to 3,308. In the state election of
1886 the total vote cast was 3S0,6S7, of which
1S1,471 were republican; 174,042 were demo-
cratic and fusion, and % liza were prohibition
The republican majority in Michigan this year,
based upon the history of the above figures
will be a fraction over 5000 votes.
Democrats Must Depend Upon Themselves
These figures lead me back to the point
which started out to illustrate, andi.that is
that Mr.. Cleveland must depend upon demo-
cratic votes and democratic influences solely
for reelection. 1t was the purely democratic
states which elected him four years ago, and it
is upon the old guard Of democracy that he
must rely now. With Connecticut rendered
doubtful, and with Doodle at work in New
Jersey, all eyes are turned towards the stall
wart democracy OF Indiana to crown with VIC
tory the democratic standard bearers. That
Indiana will vote for Cleveland and Thurman
is conceded, but the fight there is close and
full of exciting interest. The nomination Of a
citizen of that state by the republicans appeals
to state pride, and carries with it social,
family, and business influences. OF the situa-
ton there, the.party leaders and their hopes and
fears, shall have more to say hereafter.
Realizing the desperation of their cause the
republicans are now sending enormous sums
of money into West Virginia. The republi-
cans first pose as the friends of the working
men, claiming that they are the principal BEN
ehciarieS OF the protective tariff, and upon
this ground appeal for their votes and then
deliberately insult them by importing into
West Virginia carloads of silver dollars with
which to buy their votes. Tho Commercial
Gazette, day-dreaming over the prospect of
carrying West Virginia, says:
Thus it will be seen that there is at least well
defined hope aud excellent grounds for it, that
Harrison and Morton may carry the state. Should
such be the case its bearings upon the general re-
suit may prove of significant Importance 1t might
decide the result. Two hundred and one electoral
votes are necessary to elect. Il tie republicans
carry New York, West Virginia would not be neces-
sary, as they would then have 218 votes.
They could even afford to lose Michigan, for
they would still have 205 votes If in addi-
ton TO New York they had West Virginia
they could afford to lose California IN addition to
Michigan. Indiana, Connecticut and New Jersey, for
tncy would even then have 203 votes. Suppose
again, they should lose New York Co ineciicut and
New Jersey and carry Indians and West Virginia.
they would have 2o3 votes Thus this little state Of
West Virginia, with its six electoral votes. beeones
important factor in the situation. 1t is worth
while TO make a desperate effort 70 wipe out its
small remaining democratic majority
The democratic majority in West Virginia in
1880 was II i4S; in 1884 it was .2Zt in the con-
gressional elections Of 1856, it was sos. This
is close shaving, but it can be depended upon.
Tho Coutroarafal hos .f..1r-