The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-11-12
REPUBLICAN, COMMENTS.

L ieess leHiulho tultullhlly. IL Is Hou I
snow storm. 1t is an avalanche. 1t now
appears that the democrats will have {
majority of about 1876 in the next house
of representatives. They have SWEEP
away in large part the republican repre-
sentation of nearly every northwestern
state, and of several eastern and middle
states, and the whole country is strewr
with the wrecks of republican ascend.
ancy. They have captured the state gov
ernments of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts
and Wisconsin and the Legislature OF New
York. Even the solid phalanx Of repub
licans that has for many years defended
the citadel Of protection in Pennsylvani,
has been broken. 1t is a popular revolu
ton and the sky is black with portents
that it will go on till victory shall crown
their triumphs with the capture of the
senate ana the presidency.
Xxx
1t is fortunate for the cause OF politica
education that we are not left in doubt
We do not have to go hunting among
conflicting theories for IN explanation Of
republican defeat. For that defeat is n,
more pronounced than is the issue upol
which it was accomplished. The repub
Iicans who assumed leadership in con
gress assumed leadership also on the
field, They made up the issue, and they
refused to so much rs consider any other
The campaign which closed last Tuesda,
was fought, as far as the leaders couIC
compel it, upon the sole issue of Che Nc
Kiuley Chicago Tribune.
Xxx
We know just what the country thinks
about the Mckinley programme. This
defeat is not the result of apathy. II
was not caused by the stay-at-home vote
1t is a deliberate rebuke from the people,
who believe in protection, but not in pro
lection run mad. The republicans won
on a protective platform in 1888. But
there was not a word or a syllable in that
PialioiLH NAiCn uieatneo Il uiut VI IllSIlel
duties. Such a thing the country never
dreamed of until the bill now a law was
proposed for passage. And the country
repudiates it, root and branch. This is a
chastisement by republican hands. 1t is
flagelation by men whose belief in the
protective system is as strong as it it ever
was. But they will not permit unrebuked
Il wanton increase of taxes and Of prices
not for protection, but for the purpose OF
destroying foreign trade. Doubtfully.
reluctantly, almost despairingly, they
have chosen rather to send a majority Of
democrats to Washington than to ratify
the suicidal work which Reed and Nc
Kinley accomplished. viii the party
heed the lesson?
Xxx
The most crushing defeat of Mckinley
ism will be felt in the next house. The
present house stands 1853 republicans to
161 democrats, or stood that way when ii
convened. 1t now appears absolutely
certain that 100 republican congressman
have been elected to the next house and
213 democrats, with 20 districts in hich
the result has not yet been announced.
In the present rickety condition of dis
~tricts, owing to Mcl<inleyism, it is i'm
possible to say how they will be returned,
but it is fair to estimate that the demo-
Gratis will have more than so majority.
They may have 100.
XIV
There are two ways in which to deal
with the present landslide. One is to do
away with McKinleyism and adopting
Mr.. Blaine's plan at the coming short
session. That is the shortest and best
way to get out of a bad scrape.
Xxx
Minneapolis Tribune: Is the McKin-
ley bill responsible for the change of
power in the house? Undoubtedly it is,
TO a considerable extent. But that proves
nothing against the bill. 1t only proves
that ignorance and prejudice aud scandal
lous misrepresentation prepondcrates.
XIX
Minneapolis looks just as bright and
prosperous as ever, and prices of real es-
late, groceries and dry goods remain
ust the same.
Xxx
At any rate republicans can submit
gracefully to defeat and make frantic
'fforts to look pleasant.
Xxx
Minneapolis journal: The Mckinley
dill, e%mbodying a distinct and reckless
of the pledge of tariff reform,
hat measure, forced upon the country as
he ultimate of republican policy
With reference to the tariff, has been
'nacted to the party's undoing. Forced
trough under the crack of the party
Whip, its unpopularity was assured. In
ain have the congressman who voted for
t endeavored to make the people believe
t was what they wanted. In vain have
he most noted speakers of the party
hampioned the unfortunate measure.
t was repudiated by thousands at the
'olls. 1t stands a melancholy evidence
f duty left undone; Of opportunity. the
most brilliant for the party, neglected
nd ignored.
The Leaders talk about the democrats
pending large sums of money in the