New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-09
HOPES AND FRUITS.

While some Democratic infants are Still burn
ing verbal tar barrels over their recent victory,
more experienced and shrewd men of that party
confess not little alarm. TO appreciate Their
feelings. it is only necessary to compare their
unhesitating assurances the week before the elec-
ton with the results as they appear week after
In New York, the Democrats had elected Gov
ernOr Hill by $4,000 plurality had Legislature
with two Democratic majority ON JOINT Daliot,
and imagined they were about to hasten the
State impregnaby in the Democratic column.
Their best men publicly predicted 10000 plu-
rality. with both branches of the Legislature sure,
and then they were to make new apportlon-
ment and redistricting, and pass other measures
which would leave the Republicans no chance
whatever; they actually have part OF their ex-
pected plurality for Governor, but have not the
Legislature, and cannot carry any measure OF
partisan character.
In Massachusetts they had elected Demo
cratic Governor in 1890 by 9,053 plurality, and
the State Senate was tie. The Democrats were
certain of re-electing RUSSELL and promised con-
troll of the Legislature. The Governor is re-
elected by much reduced plurality, but both
branches of the Legislature are largely Repub-
lcan. The loss on the popular vote, the small
plurality and the heavy Republican gains in the
Legislature show that the tide here has turned
against the Democrats.
In PENNSYLVANIA they had elected Governor
Pattison by 1864 plurality, and boldly pre-
dicted that they would carry the State by a heavy
majority this year and gain largely in the Legs
lature. In everything they failed; the Legs
lature is overwhelmingly Republican, and the
State gives more than $4,000 majority ON the
State ticket.
In Obi4 the Democrats had elected Campbell
bv 0 s72 plurality, and had carried beth houses
Of the legislature with eight majority on JOINT
ballot. so that they passed an infamous apporilon
ment and such other partisan measures as they
pleased, and elected as Senator rich SPECTATOR
from New-Yorh. The new Senator, Governor
Campbell and their friends were certain OF elect
ing a Governor, and if Mckinley should pull
through by scanty plurality they would surely
have the Legislature, elect Senator in place OF
Mr.. Sherman, and prevent the repeal or their
gerrymander The result is that Major Mchln-
ley's majority is somewhere about 10000; the
Legislature is Republican in both branches, and
by something like forty majority on joint ballot
one Republican Senator, at least, will be elected,
and two if the United States Senate is unkind
enough to ask where Mr.. Brice lives; while the
Democratic gerrymander will never again cheat
the majority out of six Or eight Representatives
in Congress.
In Iowa the Democrats had elected Governor
Boies by 1854 plurality, and with the issue OF
prohibition to help and the rise of the Farmers
Alliance to divert the Republicans were certain
that the Democratic majority would be enormous,
and the Legislature ready and eager to abolish
Republican laws and redistrict the State Gov
ernor Boies was reelected, but not by the ma
jorty expected, while the Legislature is safely
Republican in both branches.
1t is not much that the hopes OF Democrats
have been disappointed in every one OF these
States. But there is clear turn OF the tide.
The five States had been Democratic, and it was
intended to nail them down. Two OF them have
given overwhelming Republican majorities on all
candidates a: in two others the personal popularity
Of leading candidates alone saved scanty pluia-
ties but the Legislature was lost and the hope OF
making them democratic on National issues;
while in the remaining State the Democrats car
ried their State ticket by the neglect OF Repub-
licans. but failed to carry the Legislature and to
get the power to take the State out OF the doubt
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