The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-19
RESIDENTIAL GUEssWORK.

Since the recent election il has been in
order for the press of the country generally
10 indulge in guesswOrk as 10 the outcome of
the presidential contest next year. OF course
! these speculations have ALWAYS been cOlored
according to the political bias Of the papers
making them, but really from q conservative.
and apparently perfectly just. outlook over
the field 1t does appear that the Democracy
had good cause to feel greatly encouraged.
Since the new rotten borough Northwestern
States were admitted into the Union for the
purpose Of enabling the Republicans to retair..a
very shghtsupremacy in the United States SEN
ate, the electoral vote Of the country has been
increased TO Al. Of which 1t takes DEB TO elect.
OF these the Southern States have l59 votes.
which, Of course, will 60 solidly to the Demo
cratic presidential nominee, whoever be may
be, leaving g. 10 be supplied. New York has
just elected the Democratic State ticket by
$4,000 plurality, although the Democrats
were contending against bitter fractional fight
in their own ranks and the opposition of the
Mugwumps. There is every reason, there
fore, for counting the SO votes of New York for
the Democracy, and this will leave the party
with only % wanting.
Now the question is where can these % be
looked for Z Michigan. under the law of that
State, can divide her electoral votes and
cast them in accordance with the majorit in
her respective congressional districts. As at
present constituted her delegation to the lower
house of Congress consists of Democrats
and Republicans. so ii the Republicans
carry the State and control the two senate.
rial electors. the vote of Michigan in the cleo |
tOral college will stand 10 and |
the Democratic strength will be added to by |
those votes. Last year Indiana gave q 900 /
Democratic majority at her State election,
and this year the capital Of the State Gndian-
apolis) gave an increased Democratic majority.
showing that the anti-Repubican tide which
set in in 1890 has, so far from beginning to re-
cede, grown stronger. SO the Is votes of the
State can also be expected to be placed in the
Democratic column. and as Connecticut has
given its vote for the Democrats for several
elections past. there is no reason why the re-
naming needed by the Democrats should
not be counted on from that State.
If this forecast as TO the prospects Of the
Democracy next year proves correct-and
certainly the present situation fully justfes
THE Democrats will elect their President
without any further help. but there are other
states which may be classed as doubtful. with
hances favorable to the Democracy. These
re; Illinois, with a votes Iowa. with her
,; Massachusetts, 10; New Hampshire f.
thode Island, A. Wisconsin, u. and Montana
. In all Of these the Democratic chances are
t least equal with those of the Republicans.
nd in some much better. {
1t would be absurd to say that the great bat
10 of 1892 is free from doubt, or that the De- {
locracy can count on winning with absolute {
afety; but the most conservative estimates /
ertainly show that they can enter upon the !
impaign with every prospect Of success. I