New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-06

rO.D4Y'S ELECTION IN RHODE ISLAND.
That an election in Rhode Island should have
National Importance and require the most
vigorous efforts on the part of the Republicans
is an anomaly that can he easily explained.
For q long period the State was strong
" and surely Republican as Vermont. II 1t
has become a doubtful State which the Demo
Gratis believe can be carried by them, and which
the Republicans can only hope to WIN by ire
mcndous effort, the altered conditions seem to
imply marked decline of the Protection cause
This is a superficial view. 1t was the restrict
ed electorate which made the state strongly
Republican for twenty five years II there had
been no property qualifications nor any DIS
examinations against forcign-bOrn citizens, the
State would have been a doubtful one like
Connecticut, which during the Civil War elect
cd q Democratic Governor, and has been close
" contested by both parties for many years.
1t is the change in the electorate effected by
Republican legislation few years ago which
has transferred Rhode Island to the column OF
doubtful States.
Since this constitutional reform was deferred
for long period, the Republican party in the
State suffers there to-day from the prejudice
and resentment of foreign-born citizens who
have a feeling that there was an unfair dis
elimination against them. This has been part
" overcome by the excellent record OF reform
legislation made by the Republicans during the
last decade. They are to be credited with the
extension of the suffrage, the introduction OF
the Australian ballot system, the ten-hour law
and other measures III the interests OF work
ing people. There remain, however, traces OF
this foreign-born prejudice and Democratic
leaders do everything they can to intensity this
feeling. 1t is probable that Rhode Island will
be a closely contested state for many years TO
come. lust as Connecticut is. The enlargement
of the electorate and the changes IN population
constantly going on have made it doubtful
State without reference to the fortunes OF the
Protection cause.
Another cause which has operated in favor
of the Democratic party has been the iniiu-
ence of THE Providence Journal" which dur
ing recent years has taken strong ground
against Republican tariff legislation. A large
body of Independents or neutrals has been re-
cruited, and few woollen manufacturers have
strengthened the movement by loud clamors
for free wool. The Republicans, being de-
prved of the support of that powerful news
paper, have been placed at marked disad-
vantage in educating the electorate IN tarlii
questions. This year The Journal" is throw
ing its influence upon the Republican side, al
belt not on account of the tariff question, and
the wool gathering manufacturers have recov-
cred from their infatuatiOn and arc exercising
selfrestraint
After a careful survey Of the situation we
are inclined to believe that the Republicans
will carry Rhode Island in to-day's election.
They deserve to win, for they have made
vigorous educational canvass, have not evaded
any National issue, and have reSolutely refused
to take advantage of the technical irregularities
by which the Democrats could have been de-
prived Of the privilege of voting 6r their can
didates in hoty contested towns. The Rcpub-
licans have conducted an honorable, upright
and wholesome canvass for Protection and hon
est money and have fairly earned the re-elec-
ton of Senator Aldrich and the election of their
State ticket On the other hand, the Demo
Gratis deserve to be beaten. They have eyaded
the silver question, muzzled the Democratic
Congressman voting for the Bland bill, and
brought Mr.. Cleveland into the State to blind
the eyes of voters to the inevitable tendencies
of Democratic silver legislation. They have
allowed demagOgues like Ex-Governor Camp
bell to appeal to class prejudice by urging poor
men and foregn-b born residents to vote against
the Republican party because they are poor
and foreign born. Instead of discussing Ma
tional issues they have sought TO array work
ing people against their employers, acclaimed
idly and wickedly against Republican boodle,'
and at the end in sheer desperation have had
recourse to low trickcry in distributing circu-
lars of the Burchard ALTERATION order. They
have affronted the intelligence and morality Of
the State by their craven, ignoble canvass, and
deserve to be buried out Of sight by a Repub-
lican majority of the popular vote.