Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1891-10-07

THERE is unusual interest in the
elections this year, though what is
called an "off year." This grows out
of the fact doubtless of its being con-
sidered the preliminary skirmish of
the next Presidential contest. The
first attention was called to the Ohio
campaign which waged all through
September as warm as was the weather,
between Mckinley, Republican and
Campbell for the GOvernOrship. The
Tariff is the leading issue outside the
candidates themselves, though cOmpli-
Gated by the Democrats endorsing free
silver coinage, whereas in New York,
the Democrats declared for the OppO-
site. In Massachusetts, the Democrats
are straining every nerve to re-elect
Gov. Russell, and warmly opposed by
tie Republicans with ex-COngressman
Smith. Likewise, in Iowa, the Demo-
Gratis are hoping to re-elect Gov. Boise.
Warm contests will likewise be waged
in Michigan, Indiana and several other
states less pivotal. In several of these
states the uncertainty rests in the fig
ure the Farmers Alliance will cut.
The following from the New York cor
respondent of the Philadelphia Ledger
shows the unique and very interesting
condition of politics in the Empire
State:
The familiar statement that politics
make strange bed fellows" receives
strange confirmation in the strange
divisions which mark the politics Of
New York city in the present canvass
Even the Mugwumps are divided. The
New York Times warmly espOuses the
cause of Flower. but HGrper's Weekly
opposes him, and the EUening Pos
appears to favor Fassett as a choice o.
evils. 1t interviewed the Democratic
candidate to-day on the question oil
ballot reform and his statement thai
he was for the platform" of the Dem
Ocratic party and had nothing further
to say in relation to electoral reform
is severely commented on and Mr.
Flower is asked editOrially series OIL
questions the trend of which is to show
that no reform of the ballot could b,
expected under his administration
-'In asking these questions" the Pos
says, 1--WE are not defending Boss Plat
or instituting any comparisons, OdiOu
or otherwise, between him and BOs
Croker" And it adds sOmewha
pathetically: 1.-THE situation is Very
TRYING one for honest and independRn
voters" Not less remarkable thai
the division Of the Times from tn
Post is the attitude of the Standard
the organ of the single tax men. THAI
an outspOken advocate of free trade
and an opponent of about everything
the Republican party favOrs should ad
VOcate the election of Fassett is Ger
tainly remarkable, and it proves hoy
strongly assorted the political rank
will be this year. The reason
the Standard supports the Republican
candidate is that in its opinion thi
e4a. hOuld be fought on lOca
sad on the issue Ofchiri in;er,-
TO Mr.. Henry Georges supporter
ballot reform. Mr.. Fassett j. sound 3,
than Mr.. Flower. There has j.. en- COZ
siderable talk of what the Count
DEmOCAatJ WOAlu nU III GuE CdAM BhlkA
and there is still uncertainty as {
what action will be taken al the meetin
of the organization, but it is believed tbs
the State ticket will be neither 81
dOrsed nor repudiated, and the mem
bers left free to follow the dictates (
their several cOnseieDces. The Steck
lers, who head a freelance organize
ton, have been cOquetting with LieT
tenant Governor Jones, and have ne
as yet definitely declared themselve
They may land anywhere. Only Tan
many and the Republican party stan
undivided. All of the minor organic
tons are more or less broken, an
their members are likely to be foun
on opposing sides and joined wit
new, end some cases surprising, ass
cia6es. Tammany and the Times wOrl
ing against Plat and the Post are con
binations as unique as they are allite
alive, and when single land tax frs
traders Join with Republicans in col
test the final touch is added to Il
strange political paradox which Ne
York furnishes to current affairs.