Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-10-26
POLITICAL CHAT.
TOO QUICK.

TOO QUICK.
It will be remembered that in the 1ass
legislature the Democrats Of the house
passed bill repeating the obnoxious
features of the Edwards school law, and
that the Republican senate passed bill
as odious as the Edwards law itself.
Neither house would accept the bill OF
the other, and the conference committee
could not agree. so the legislature ad.
journed without anything being done.
Now the Republican senators are claim
ing that they would have agreed to the
house bill if the adjournment had not
come SO quick, and two of them have
made affidavits to that effect.
This reminds me of an incident which
occurred at the soldiers home in Quincy
couple of years ago. One day one of
the veterans came to Superintendent
Rowland with bloody nose, complain
ing that one of his comrades had as
saulted him.
''What did you do to provoke the
assault p asked the superintendent.
Nothing, sir"
''Tell me how it came abouty'
''Why, you see we were talking, and
called him liar, and he knocked me
down without giving me q chance to
take it back"
1t looks as if the Republican senate
got its black eye in the same way.
-------.--z INDICATIONS.
The off year elections in Illinois have
for a score of years proved sure indica-
tions of the presidential election follow
ing. Democratic gains in an off year
always precede Democratic gains two
years later. while Democratic losses in
the off year, are as surely followed bv
Democratic losses in the presidential
election. In the off year of 1874 the
Democrats elected their candidate for
superintendent of public instruction,
and this was followed in 1876 by defeat
that was nearly victory, for Cullom
was elected by only about 5000. In
1873, being an off year, the Democrats
fell back again and lost the state by
st. 900, and this was followed by Han
cocks crushing defeat in 1880. In 1899
the Republicans fell short, Raab was
elected superintendent of public instruc-
ton, and Orendortf was barely defeated
for state treasurer. In 1884 the Demo
Gratis again forged to the front, Carter
Harrison made his great run, and the
party tied for the legislature. In the off
year of 1886 the Democrats got black
eye, and in 1888 were. as the bows saw,
not in it. While Palmer ran Fifer close,
the Legislative and congressional tickets
were nowhere. In 1890 the Democrats
made their greatest gains; they elected
all of their state ticket, fourteen out of
twenty congressman. and n majority of
the members of the general assembly.
which elected Gen. Palmer United State;
senator. The Democratic majorities
ranged 8 1000 to 81. 900. That this victory
will be followed by another in 1892
seems certain. The off year prophecy
has never failed. for there are rea ons
for it. This year. not only the prophecy.
but tn conditions generally, are so
favorable to the Democrats that the re-
suit can hardly lie doubled.
THEY Run BEHIND.
In Illinois the Republican candidates
for governor nave for twenty years in
variably run behind the presidential
ticket. In 1872 Oglesby's plurality was
about 10, 900 less than Grants, in 1876
Cullom fell short of Hayes about 12 200,
in 1880 he dropped behind Garfield about
5000. in 1884 Oglesby failed to keep up
with Blaine by about 10000, and in 1888
Fifer was left by Harrison by about the
same number of votes. This difference
is due to the suspicion of ring rule and
corruption in our affairs. The Repub-
licans have been in control in Illinois
for generation, and the same old crowd
seem to be hanging on the offices. A
young Republican was heard to say
recently that man might as well be a
Democrat as to have to wait for the old
bosses of the Republican party to die or
resign.
AN OBJECT LESSON.
So we are to have a little taste of the
force bill this year. The Republicans
have made application for federal inter
ference in the election in Illinois, SO that
in cities of 20, 600 and upward Republican
workers in the guise and having the
authority of United States marshals will
swarm at the polls and attempt the
intimidation of Democratic voters. 1t
will prove an object lesson in Republican
politics, and we shall lose nothing by it.
The people are jealous of their local
rights, and will resent with their votes
any attempt on the part of the federal
authorities to interfere with the freedom
of the franchise.