Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-04-15
PROGRESS IN RHODE ISLAND.

While the Democrats did not elect their
ticket in Rhode Island at the recent election,
they have no cause to feel dissatisfied with
the result of the fiercely fought battle. The
offices at stake went to the Republicans,
but the moral effect Of the victory Is with
the defeated Democracy.
Never ence In presidential year has the
State been won by the Democrats Never
before have the Republicans carried It In
presidential year by so small majority
over all or so small a plurality over the
Democratic ticket Never before have the
Republicans fsught with greater advantage
or the Democrats under greater dlsadvan.
iages. Sc far from there being occasion for
Democratic encouragement at the result
there is good ground for ielicitation.
Rhode Island is one Of the most highly
protected States In the Union. The Nc.
Rinley bill paid especial heed 10 the wishes
Of the manufacturers Of that little State and
Whatever they desired was granted. In re.
tura the Republicans demanded every pos.
sible aid from the protected interests In the
Spring Stats election. because Republican
defeat would be likely ~ have disastrous
effect upon the interests Of the party In the
national elections 10 the Fall. There was
not much chance for the party losing the
legislature and with TIA United States Sena.
torship, because under the rotten borough
system In force 10 that as well as some other
New England States Republican legisls.
ture is assured under almost any conceiv.
able circumstances, although the aggregate
vote Of the State might be heavily adverse
10 the party. 1t was not of much conse.
quence who held the Office Of Governor,
but II the Democratic candidate should get
plurality Of the votes the effect on the No.
vember election, not only in Rhode Island
but In other States also, would be serious, as
Il wsuld show the progress Of tariff reform
sentiment in one Of the most thoroughly
tariff protected States.
From the beginning OF the campaign To
the last hour the Republicans did not relax
their efforts 10 carry the State, and pile up
as large majority as possible. Money was
contributed from all directions. The fat
was fried out Of the beneficiaries OF the Nc.
Kisley tariff and employed to grease the
wheels Of the party machine. The most
prominent mes Of the party were called on
to address the people and counsel with the
managers Of the campaign. Mckinley left
his guberuaiorial. Office at Columbus, Tom
Reed left his seat in Congress, other mem.
beers 81 Congress were drawn from the House
and Senate, and the administration con.
tributed To the speaking force in addition
TO using its influence In ether ways. With
abundant means and plenty Of men 10 work
the State was thoroughly orgaaized in the
interests Of the Republican party. On the
other hand the Democtats had no money and
could neither organize the State as II should
have been done nor could they provide
such an array Of speakers. When they at.
tempted 10 held meetings In the chief city
Of the State, where they counted most on
making gains, the Republicans, with un.
limited funds at their disposal, hired all the
halls In the city until the day Of election,
SO that TO get place for single large meet
ing they had 10 buy off dramatic company
and use the opera house fer an afternoon
meeting. Had the Republicans thought Of
this they would undoubtedly have secured
that building also and left Grover Cleveland
nc place In which 10 speak.
What was the resulti The vote was the
heaviest ever cast the history Of the State,
exceeding by 10000 the largest preceding
vote The Republican majority was the
smallest ever gained In u presidential year.
The same is trse Of the plurality over the
Democratic ticket Thus we sec that the
'ause Of tariff reform Is progressing steadily
n Rhode Island where Il had least ground
or hope. Even the lavish use Of prolec.
onlst Doodle, and protectionist mlsrepre
entation could moi stay Its march towards
ictory. j