New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-28
THE OUTLOOK IN IOVA.

Iowa is one of the States which Eastern Dem
ocrats boast they are sure to carry this year.
At the West no doubt they boast in the same
way about Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. But
there ought not to be any doubt whatever about
the decision of Iowa in such a contest as that
of this year. The State is essentially agri-
cultural, and its farmers last year lost no.
600, 900 bushels of their corn, third of their
expected crop. Many of them were disheartened
or in trouble. False ideas of new tariff, which
had just been enacted, were industriously circu-
lated through the season. 1t is not at all strange
that more than 10000 Of them stayed at home,
and the Republican plurality for State officers
was small, for Secretary of State only 1856.
Yet the State cast but few more Democratic
votes than 1t had given TO Cleveland when he
was beaten by 81, 721 plurality.
A full vote ought to make Iowa safe beyond
question The Republicans this year have much
to favor full vote particularly the natural In
dgnaton of men who were cheated by Demo-
cratic falsehoods last year, and who know now
that retail prices of everything they need from
the cradle to the grave" have not been adj
yanced They know that they get manufactured
products as cheaply as and most of them more
cheaply than they did one year ago or two years
ago. For instance, they pay less for farm i'm
elements, haryesters costing $40 less than in
1890, and not half what they paid ten years
ago. while mowers cost them 80 or SO less than
a wear ago and about $40 now, against S75 in
1880 They get cotton cloth and woollen cloth
ing cheaper than ever before. They pay about
So per family less for sugar than they did a
year ago. Meanwhile they get good prices for
their farm products, and have enormous crops.
Another thing which tends to bring out full
vote is that Governor is to be elected, and a
Presidential election is near at hand, and the
Democrats are openly Boosting that their vic
tories this fall will make their success next year
certain. The Republicans have candidate who
is himself successful farmer and man Of
character and ability. A year ago it was be-
lieved by many farmers that a new political
party had arisen, which would command their
support by wise measures for their interests
But it has committed itself to vagaries so wild
and dangerous, and to farmers so sure to be in
furious, that multitudes who went into the move
ment have abandoned it. The voters of Iowa
have opportunity this year to show whether they
will suffer themselves to be cheated by this
pretence of party oontrived by Southern Dem
ocrats for the purpose of dividing Northern votes
A year ago there was much anxiety about the
currency. Because money was scarce where
crops were short many believed that new legis-
lation was necessary. But there is now no part
of the country where money is not in fair sup
ply for all legitimate needs The farmers OF
Iowa are paying off their debts. census has
shown that there has been stupendous lying
about the amount of their mortgages and that
most Of those that were outstanding were given
for the purchase of land or improvements. The
Silver Act passed last year has added to the
circulation SOS, POI 900 currency, and mean
while good crops are bringing from Europe mill
ions in gold 1t is hard to find excuse for the
pretence that the Republican policy has unduly
restricted the currency, but it has saved the cur
rency from debasement, so that the farmers and
the laborers get their pay in dollars as good as
gold.
The Republicans of Iowa need only to get out
their full vote, but the earnest personal effort
necessary to that end they owe to the Repub-
leans of other States. They cannot feel that
they have done their duty unless each man makes
sure that his neghbor and friend will vote with
out fail, that the will of the people may no long
er be hidden by the indifference or neglect of