The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-11-12
THE ELECTIONS.


it's record in the matter Of giving con-
tinuous news-the first night very
well, the second poor and the sum
total very incomplete. The STATES
MAN, to this writing, has not any
where seen clear statement OF the
election in Ohio-the entire vote or
actual majorities. Yet it was Ill Ihe
election in that state interest for tAe
most part settled. This was SO 1or
two special reasons. First, that state
was made the particular battle held
for the tariff combat; and the nation
was interested in seeing how far
sound reasoning could be made to
prevail against Doodle. Second, 1t
was recognized that the result OF
that election would have an
immediate bearing on the per-
sonnet of one or the other
presidential tickets. Democrats tired
of New York dominance and petty
feuds, wanted western champion
and waited, longing for Campbell to
be victorious. Republicans could not
afford to see their great tariff leader
go down in defeat, and both Blaine
and Harrison wanted to use him as a
goad, each upon the other. Yet it is
about this election the Associated
Press has had the least to say.
AS campaign of education how
has it turned out for the Democrats?
Badly, it would seem at first blush.
The San Antonio Express says:
In Ohio the Democrats had declared
for free coinage, but the great fight
was on the tariff question. Protec-
ton, pro or con, was the burden of
every speech. Campbell Dem.) who
won two years ago by heavy ma
jority, was beaten; Mckinley, who
lost last year, was elected. There has
been q reversal of the Ohio vote.
Is this really SO? Is the Express
fair in it's comparisons? True, Camp
bell was elected and Mckinley de-
feated when last they ran for
office, but what of the conditions
surrounding their respective races?
In his race Campbell had been OPP
posed by man who had made him
self most unpopular, blatant fellow
who thought to float into office on the
ebb and flow of the waving bloody
shirt. He was also aided by the
knowledge of recently unearthed Re-
publican frauds. McKinley's defeat
was in a very decidedly gerryman-
dered district-a district that would
have elected Campbell last Tuesday
had it had the deciding vote. But in
this last election the conditions were
changed. Campbell had a ring ele-
ment within his camp at outs with
him, and Cincinnati bore more heavily
against him on that account. But
above all personal considerations, was
the paramount idea of party glory.
Ohio is really and admittedly Repub-
lican state. When Democrats get
control there, it is more because of
internal dissension among Republic
cans than because of Democratic
strength.
At this election not only was their
party state pride the pledge, but
a national interest was at stake.
Ohio could not afford to go back upon
the Republican party at such time'
nor could the national Republican
party afford to have it do so. The re-
suit is as might have been expected
the protective tariff champion was
elected.
But what of the size of the defeat?
Official figures have not been sent
South, but give the committee the
benefit of its claim, $4,000 plurality,
and what does it show? Ryan, Re-
publican secretary of state, last year
received 1890 plurality, with 24,OOO
Prohibition votes cast. This year the
Peoples party lost heavily, and the
Prohibitionists lost over 1000, or more
than enough to account for the SWELL
ing of the Republican plurality; and
this, without considering the in
ducements of desperation, offered
by a national perpleXed party. The
Campaign of education" was seed
well sown in Ohio and will bring
forth good fruit in time. This. how
ever, has already been realized in
Massachusetts, Iowa and New York.
1t is very noticeable in all.these states
that the country precincts are begin
ming to come out strong for Democ-
racy. Boies' majority this year was
increased end the Democratic plural
itv in New York went up from OH
to 4O,O66-a little matter of 10000
votes. Is not the leaven working
And is it not a matter of time and
education only when the United States
will be one, in great economic and