The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1888-12-07
Gath on the Election in New
York

Everybody who reads newspapers knows
sGath'' (Geo. Alfred Townsend) who is
acknowledged to be the ablest newspaper
correspondent in America. In writing of
the contest the week after the election he
says:
st is an impressive fact that the manu-
featuring system of the United States was
probably saved last Tuesday by discriminate
ing saloon.keepers. From the commence
ment of the Presidential campaign it was
vel. understood that the saloon men would
hold to Harrison but would cut Miller"
Again he says:
s'In the State of New York the liquor in
terest behaved with perfect consistency.
They supported to large extent the Re-
publican candidate for President and cut
the high license man. il was known months
ago that powerful combination existed in
this State to support Hill and Harrison"
No one of general political information
eyer suspected ''Gath" of being Prohibit
zionist He was in New York watching
narrowly the campaign, and the above are
his conclusions. In plain English "Gath"
says that the liquor party of New York
elected Harrison. When he says they
probably saved the manufacturing system
Of the United States" that is what he means.
Is Gath's assertion true or false? Let us
consult the election figures. Hill was elect,
ed Governor of the State by upwards OF
IS ,OCO majority. Harrison carried the
State by 1900. The difference between
Hills vote and Cleveland's vote, one the
Democratic candidate for Governor and the
dent, is upwsrds of $4,000. That vote is
III he iion II
tirely. Suppose it had been thrown solidly
for Cleveland, as it was for Hill, and might
have been, if Quay had not out generated
Cleyeland's lieutenants. The latter would
have been President. The point we wish
10 illustrate is the immense and dangerous
power exerted in our politics by the sa loon.
1t is fving detachment of the political
forces Of the country, and can shift it.
strength to any important point it chooses
1t belongs to no party but is ready 20 assist
any party that promises it support for the
time being. In New York we find it assist
ing Democratic Governor and opposing
Democrotic President. In st. Louis on the
same day it is busy driving from power
Democratic Mayor and council and every
Democratic officer in the county and city.
and electing by sweeping majority an en-
the Republican ticket, in this Democratic
stronghold. The motive for this was the
Mayor and city officials compelled them to
keep their saloons closed on Sunday in ac-
cordance with the law which is also high
license law, the license fee being $3.50.
The saloon at once struck bargain with
the opposite party, the price Of their sup
port being immunity to violate the law at
will, and open their saloons on Sunday in
defiance of the law.
In speaking of this saloon power in pol
itics the New York Erenimg Post (Indep.)
says:
1t was the casting of the saloon vote in
St. Louis for the Republican ticket which
gave that party the three seats in the House
of Representatives now occupied by Demo-
Gratis, the change in which three seats afford
ed the Republicans the only chance they
have Of gaining the lower branch of Con-
gress. "Our work in ST. Louis has actually
won Congress for the Republicans. says
the St. Louis Tribune. organ of the "Per-
sonal Liberty League" which speaks for the