The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-04
FIFTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
HOW THE SITUATION LOOKS AT
WASHINGTON.
Clarkson Admits the Chances OF Demo
cratic House, and Democrats Are Conf
dent-Gains Anticipated I'm the south
and West-Other Capital News.

WOIk VI luc pthuiuS Nah'"o' h""' h'-
tional headquarters is completed and
the workers who have been 50 ac-
lively engaged for several months have
gone to their respective homes to vote. So
far as the signs can be read they are favora-
BILE to the Democrats. General ClarksOn,
who remains here, claiming TO have been
broken down by his labors, is seek
ing excuses for the inevitable Re-
publican defeat. He admits that ad-
vantages of the canvass are with
the Democrats, aud says that anything
short OF a sweeping Democratic victory
will be virtually a Republican triumph.
HIS peculiar reasoning is that this being an
of-year, the Republicans are indifferent and
apathetic, and that the Democrats Will
carry some Congressional districts by a
minority vote. Then, too, he considers that
discomfort at the distribution of Federal
patronage will aid the Democrats,
aud reluctantly he comedies that 1.-THE
immediate but only temporary ELECTS OF
the tariff law is beneficial TO the DemOc-
racy. Ii is manifest that ClarksOn is pre-
pared Tor Democratic majority In the next
House. or course he lays great stress upon
democratic gerrymanderng," cOntending
that but for the redstricting in Ohio, Mary
land, and Kentucky the Republicans would
have carried the election.
PROSPECTIVE DEMOCRATIC GAINS.
There is no apparent reason to revise the
recent Democratic estimates published in
The TINES unless ii be to enlarge the tig
ures, for the latest reports are even more
favorable than those formerly received. In
stead of gaining two members in new York,
the indications now point to at least four.
These are encouraging prospects OF solid
Democratic delegation from Maryland. In
til recently the Democrats counted upon only
five out of the six members from that state.
gain Of two over the present delegation;
but now il looks as if McCOmas, Republican,
of the Sixth district, Will be beaten by Nc
Kaig, Democrat. Not only is Mckaig eX-
ceptiOnally popular. but McComas Is UNI
usually weak in this fight. In dispOsing OF
Federal offices McCOmas has made some
enemies within his own party, who are now
openly and aggresslyely OppOsin- him.
Among the number are the editors OF several
Republican newspapers, who allege that
McCOmas deliberately broke pledges
made to them. Another element OF
weakness 10 McComas proceeds from his
advocacy of the Force bill and his author
ship Of the bill to deprive States Of the
power TO regulate legislative districts, and
vest that authority in Congress, Hitherto
McComas has had the support of COnserya-
tive Democrats, or, rather, Of men who call
themselves Democrats. and who, though
sympathizing with that party, have no
very decided political convictions or prefer
ences.
This class of voters is quite numerous in
the Sixth Maryland district, and they have
voted for McCOmas on the ground that
having had experience in Congress he was
more seryiceabe than any new man could
be. In the pending fight these voters are
against McComas, and they VIII cut his
vote down considerably. There are also
Republicans who declare themselves
against McCOmas because Of his adj
yocacy of the Force bill. 1t is claimed
that Mckaig, who has never been defeated
for office, will carry Allegheny county, one
OF the Republican strOngholds. AT all
events, McCOmas and his friends are very
much alarmed. Two years ago. at the Pres
idential election, McCOmas defeated his
Democratic opponent by 1854 plurality, but
he only got l,ls2 majority. Now his work
ers are only claiming that he will be elect
ed by from 800 10 jOj.
In the Fifth Maryland district Mudd, who
now occupies seat to which Compton was
elected, IL already beaten. In past contests
is was the practice Of the Republicans to
the Maryland counties adjoining the Dis
trict of Columbia. But for these fraudulent
votes the district would never have been in
doubt. The new Maryland registration
law eiiectually puts stop to this fraudu-
lent practice, and Compton is sure of elec-
ton by majority so decisive rs TO render
contest out Of the question. The other four
Maryland districts are conceded to the
Democrats.
THE OUTLOOK ~ VIRGINIA.
So far as Virginia is concerned, THE
TIMES has furnished its readers with an ac-
curate account Of the situation. In the
Eighth district there is every reason 10 be-
lieye that the Democracy will win signal
victory in the return Of General Lee, as the
Republicans are not giving Hume solid
ard earnest support. Many OF the pledges
made him by men of that party were hollow
and insincere, and Hume will get fewer
Democratic votes than he counts upon.
NORTH CAROLINA POSTAL CHANGES.
Mail messenger service has been estal
lished from the Richmond and Danyille rail-
road to Marion, Mcdowell county, North
Carolina, as often as required. The star
service from Wilmington to southport has
been increased to daily except Sunday.
leaving Wilmington at 3 p. NJ. and South
port at A. NJ. The trip Is made in tive and
a half hours. The Star service between
Yadkinylle and East Bend will be twice
per week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays each
way.
NEW YORK's RECOUNT.
Secretary Noble to-day, in note to Mr..
Denny, supervising inspector Of the New
York City police census, told him that If
he would not leave Mayor Grants dOcu-
in no
carry them away, and that he would decide
the case without them, Secretary Noble
to-day also answered Governor Hills re-
cent letter, urging recount OF the city
of New York, with long COM
municatiOn. in which he criticises
with the harshest language the Governor
for speaking as partisan and I'M
putting corrupt purposes TO the Federal GEN.
sus enumeratOrs, for the purpose OF se-
curing party advantage by diminishing the
count Of the city, This imputation, he
charges, is so entirely gratuitOus AS 10 be
slanderoUs, and ne adds that the Governor
should know his abusive course could not
tend to promote that fair and judicial con-
sderation that he (the Secretary has been
disposed to give 10 Mayor Grants applica-
tiOn for recount. The Governors "early
and continuous partisan assaults upon the
census" the Secretary ascribes to impure
motives 10 secure unjust ends. Referring
10 Governor Hills veto of the New York
State Census bill in lSS5, required by the
State Constitution, he says: "lt is reason
able TO suppose that the patronage you
seem to think SO influential in political az
fairs would not have fallen into your hands,
or judging you by the standard you apply
to others, your official action would
have been just the opposite of what
it was. | regret the necessity OF
addressing the chief magistrate Of
the leading state Of the Union in the terms
have employed. but find my justification
in the reckless Importance Of language you
have seen fit to use-language which is
lacking as much In truth as Il 10 IN the dig
nifty betting your treat Office, which in the
past has been filled by eminent men OF both
political parties Of New York. Upon the
merits Of the Mayors application | shall
reply 10 him.
CAPITAL MOTIFS,
President Harrison. accompanied by At
torney- General Miller, left over the Penn
sylyania railroad for his home in Indiana
at 10 O'Clock this morning. The President
is expected to return by Wednesday.