The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-14
Lesson Worth Considering.

The Hon, LAFAYETTE GROVER, Demo-
cratic member OF Congress from oregon
during the period when Oregon was repre-
sented by a Democrat, also for seven years
Governor Of that State, and for six years one
~ its United States Senators, has been In
town for few days and has been inter-
viewed, regarding the politics OF oregon oy
the NeD York Times.
Atthe election which happened week ago.
Oregon chose Democrat to be her cover
nor by a majority OF $500, and at the Same
time a Republican member Of Congress by
majority of 5000. This Is referred to by MIR.
GROVER as an odd result which, he says,
"seems to show a curious discrepancy"
The Democrat who has Just been elected
Governor Is a veritable Democrat, who
has decided views In favor OF protect
ing American labor" He has also de-
clared himself very strongly for the equal
ization OF taxation. A bill passed the
Legislature providing for the establish
ment Of water works for Portland, and ex-
empting the water bonds from taxes. he
vetoed the bill and defeated 1t on the
ground that "all taxation, under the Con-
stitution, must be equal and uniform
acts. In other words, Governor PENNoYER
is a Democrat Of the DAVID BENNETT HILL
school, an able and courageous representa-
tive OF the peoples interests, watchful
guardian OF their rights. an intrepid ana
resourceful leader OF their forces, and
Democrat who Is not ashamed to avoW the
political faith which he entertains.
This explains clearly enough, one would
think, how 1t is that on Democratic issues
Oregon went Democratic. 1t might indeed,
always go Democratic on these, for as Tar
back as 1868 1t gave a majority for the DEM
ocrstic electoral ticket, while in 1875 the Re-
publicans had a majority OF but 1850, and
in 1880 they barely succeeded by 672.
In 1884, however, when GROVER CLEvE-
LAND was the candidate for the first time the
Republican majority rose to 2,266. and In
1888 it went still higher to 6769. AT last
weeks election the Republican candidate for
Congress had majority even larger than
that; and thus, 80 far rs Federal elections
are concerned, the Democrats Of Oregon are
going down hill, the margin OF majority
increasing against them, while on ordinary
Democratic issues they are still able to
carry the State. What Senator GROVER
calls "a curious discrepancy Is not at all
curious. Exactly the same condition has
been seen to exist In New York.
The defeated Democratic nominee for Con-
gress. who was showed up under majority
Of 5000, is "a bright young man, who" we
are told, made an able canvass on the
national issues and helped to arouse in
terest in the study Of the tariff" "Our
people," adds Mr.. GROVER, with distinct
sarcasm, "are Just beginning to take up the
tariff question. There has not been much
systematic study OF 1t yet by clubs or socie-
ties, but the campaign Of 1892 will be pretty
sure to bring it prominently before them"
The study OF the tariff question does not
seem to have promoted the prospects Of the
bright young Democratic candidate who
traversed the State proclaiming his faith In
0 theory which was afterward confronted by
an adverse majority OF 5000. But the still
brighter, though older, Democrat who had
the satisfaction OF the voters Of the State,
was reelected by majority Of $500.
The SIMPLE SIMoNs OF contemporary
politics have not fully recovered from the
surprise which overpowered them in 1883,
when on the same day, New York elected
4 Democratic Governor by 10000 and de-
Ieated the pretensions Of an alleged Demo-
cratic candidate for President by major
ty of 1900. Yet that result, so surprising
to some. has now been duplicated on the
Pacific, and voters are indebted to the Times
Tor calling attention to the interesting and
Instructive fact.