The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-04
A CHILLY DAY FOR REPUBLICANS

A CHILLY DAY FOR REPUBLICANS
Well, Wei!
The old Empire state elects Flower by
a majority Of 30,OOOl
Massachusetts, think OF it, Massa-
chusetts, that old rock bound and
hitherto hide bound republican state
re-elects her democratic governor, Will
lam e. Russell!
And it is more than probable that
Iowa, another old republican liner, has
reelected Governor Boies.
And Maryland is Of course democratic.
The republicans who expected to see a
bare democratic margin in that state are
requested to turn to another column,
which a majority at $4,000.
1t is undoubtedly true that we lost
Ohio, one of the republican three, and
undoubtedly the strongest. Had it not
been for dissentions in the democratic
ranks, that state too might have been in
line, though such a result was almost
too much to hope for. The normal re-
publican majority Of 10000 has been out
down in a way which indicates that de-
mocracy in that state is in a very
shealthy condition. With all his per-
sonal popularity, his prestige as the
high priest of protection, his paternity
OF the bill which is to-day a national
issue, Major Mckinley must be sorely
disappointed when he views the ruins
outside his own territory.
What is the meaning of yesterdays
election?
First, that the McKinleyized repub-
lican party has about reached the end
of it's rope. The best evidence of this
is the majority in Massachusetts, the
figures of which may be we'll regarded as
the handwriting on the wall for repub-
licanism in this country. The issue in
that state was the Mckinley bill and
nothing else. Every township was
fought for and the warriors were the
picked Spartans of both parties. That
this great commonwealth. dotted from
line to line with factories and colleges
alike, should turn down the republican
candidate and the heresy of high tariff
seems to us to mark the end of repub-
licanrule and the beginning of tariff
reform. We regard it as a more
important victory than the great demo-
cratic sweep in New York.
Roswell P. Flowers majority in New
York is greater than that of any guber-
material candidate save Cleveland, since
the day of Samuel j. Tilden. The en-
'phatic endorsement of his candidacy
and the equally emphatic rebuke to
Plattism and republicanism must be
taken as prophetic of next years cleo
ton. The republicans never made a
more vigorous campaign in that state in
an off year, and yet they are suffering
most inglorious defeat. With d full
party vote New York is ordinarily a
democratic state but by no such major
ity as was given Mr.. Flower. The peo-
pie in that state talked right out yester.
day and they have not yet finished the
discussion. It will be renewed next
year.
The result in Iowa is not yet defini-
tely known. The democrats are claim
ing the election Of Governor Boies and
the Indications point to hat result.
The governor and the party we're on the
popular side in local and national issues
and it is more than likely that the state
has reelected her democratic executive.
The results yesterday should open the
eyes Of those republicans who could not
see the meaning Of tho landslide one
year ago. Mr.. Blaine saw it and is safely
out Of danger. McKinley's victory in a
republican stronghold and largely the
result of democratic %treachery is indeed
poor consolation to men who have
blindly chung to the tariff as a national
issue.
Yes, the old high protection boyle re-
ceived a Knockout blow yesterday. 1t
may stagger to the center again next
year but the battle is already settled.
The campaign which closed with the
election yesterday brought to the front
several notable Young men. The record