St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-08
A REPUBLICAN VIEW.

1t affords Republican papers comfort
to picture to themselves a dire inter-
necine friction in the Democratic party
over the alleged rival ambitions of Mr..
CLEVELAND and Gov. HILL. If it allie
yiateS the gloom that has been hanging
over their camp of late, it would be un-
kind to wish to dissipate it. But some
recall the old adage that means that
when Democrats have domestic dissen-
sions they get more votes into the bal
lot boxes. Then there comes griev0us
apprehension that the Democrats and
the Peoples party may do little pool
ing, in states, for instance, like Kansas,
Nebraska, Minnesota, the Dakotas,
Illinois, and, perhaps, Iowa. These
are all states that the Republicans have
constantly carried in presidential
years, and are essential to any COM
pilation of figures that can afford
them hope. 1t is not meant to intimate
that the Democrats are at all disturbed
as to the outlook, or have any diplomats
in the field seeking this cooperation.
There is nothing, however, irrational
i'll the scheme. 1t would involve no
compromise Of principle by either
sharer i'll the combination. There is a
common cause with the Democrats and
the new party in their opposition to Re-
publican policies. The rising organiza-
tion could have no incentive to induce
its existence if it were in accord with
the party that has alone been able to
dictate government measures since the
war. Its most practicable aims are
substantially the same as those of
the Democratic party. AS rational
men, its leaders might prefer
a partial success by combination to the
futility of isolated effort. LII Kansas
there are recent indications that the
voting is likely to be made effective in
this way. 1t is not a new scheme among
parties. In 1860 the supporters of
DOUGLAS and BRECKENRIDGE had a
common electoral ticket in New Jersey,
and perhaps in one or two other states.
AT later time the Democrats and
GreenDackers in Michigan had all cleo
tOral pool. In all such cases each mem
Der of the coalition has the proportion
of the electors lis voting strength en-
titles it to. In Kansas the Peoples
party seems to have about 100000 votes
to $4,000 Democrats and 10000 Repubi-
cans. By going alone the Republicans,
with 10000 less votes than the two other
parties, would have all the electors. A
joint effort of the minorities would then
give the Peoples party two-thirds and
the Democrats one-third of the electoral
vote. 1t seems to the tremulous Repub-
llcan seer that each of these parties
would prefer to have such a share than
to have nothing. and cut no figure in
the result. In Minnesota the Democrats
might, perhaps, have five of the nine
electors, and the Alliance four. The
Republican reasons that the new party
substantially stakes its future on get
ting into the electoral college next wear.
None Of the other new parties since
the war have been able to get
there. They have carried no states,
and, consequently, have made no
considerable impression upon public
policies, and passed into practical desue-
tude. With the twenty to forty votes
that this method would insure the
young political organization in the cleo
toral c0nvention,it it would have standing
and hope. AS the Republican calculator
puts himself IN the place of the Peoples
party advocate and follows this sensible
line of practical thought, it seems to
HIM like question solved. 1t is not
surprising, then. he hunts about the
Democratic camp for sounds of internal
strife.