The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-09-26
THE ELECTIONS THIS FALL.

The state elections this fall prom
Use to be f more than common in
rcrest, for an off year. The close
ness of the division of the new
House between the two great parties
invests with special weight the Octo-
Der results in North and South Da-
kota, Washington and Montana, of
which he frst-named three are
pretty surely Republican. In Iowa
and Massachusetts, where State
tickets are in the field, Republican
victories are looked for, and in Ma
iyland, Mississippi and New Jersey
the Democrats are equally confident.
PENNSYLVANIA cannot be considered,
III any fair sense, doubtful State,
bat it is question of interest how
much the Republican majority will
be cut down, if at all, by the Prohi-
bitionists, who complain of bad faith
on the part of the Republicans in a
recent defeat of the proposed anti
liquor amendment to the constitu-
ton.
In New York, Ohio and Virgil
MIA both parties have chance. The
Republicans, of course, are hopeful
of New York on account of their
victory there last fall and the adroit
use Mr.. Platt has made of the fed
eral patronage entrusted to him by
the present administration. But
they have this year to encounter a
new element of opposition in DEM
oeratic governor who wants to go to
The United States Senate, who is a
politician Of experience and skill,
and who is in position to make
heavy bids for votes to insure a
Democratic majority in the legisla-
ture on Joint ballot. Mr.. Platt also
having the Senate in his eye, will
fight hard rather than let the COVER
nor beat him, and will receive the
hearty aid of Mr.. Depew, who
would be willing to don the toga
himself if a Republican Legislature
should prefer him to Mr.. Plat.
In Ohio, again, the Republicans
feel confidence based on precedent.
The Democrats, however, have for
their candidate for governor a man
Of more than ordinary popularity,
while Gov. Foraker suffers from
whatever disadvantages may attach
to two successive terms in office,
with the factional animosities engen-
dered thereby. There is always a
chance that one party or the other
may deem it wise to sacrifice the
state ticket for the purpose of secur-
ing the legislature and trade votes
to that end. The Republicans would
feel an exceeding joy in winning the
Senatorial fight, as it would break
the force of the tradition in favor of
keeping one Democrat always in the
Senate from Ohio.
The bitterest fighting of the fall
will probably be done in Virginia,
where General Mahone's strength is
to undergo a crucial test. He has
the federal power behind him, the
benefit of a platform full OF consist
ent party principles, and the kno VI
edge that Virginia is coming out of
her old condition as an agricultural
state, and, with her mines and man.
ufactures in course of development,
taking her place in the line of pro-
tection-seekers. The Democrats,
however, have raised the cry of
white supremacy, and by that means
hope to draw to themselves, as pre-
eminently the white mems party,
a good many Republicans whose
partisan allegiance is not proof
against the influence of fear of
negro domination. Add to this the
circumstance that General Malone
has antagonized several former Re-
publican leaders whom he has ousted
from their high places in getting up
to his present eminence, and we
have an array of conflicting elements
in the struggle that will make Vir-
ginia doubtful state till the sun
has gone down on the fifth of No
vember..