The National tribune., 1892-10-20
POLITICAL.
Notes Relative to The Presidential
and State Campaigns.

Five of the seven judges of the Court of Ap
peals concur in the decision SUSTAINING TIT
New York Legislative Reapportionment Act
The division is on party lines, hence the decls
ion loses some of its value.
Judge Peck ham offered the main opinion
All the minor claims 10 the number OF three
are disposed of summarily. The final objection
to the acts validity was that the Senate DIS
tricts do not contain an equal number oil lnhap
ifarts as nearly as may be- The question O.
ineouality contains in the judicial opinion the
only Gsbatable proposition. The opinion Is tt
the effect that the courts have no power in sucl
cases TO review the exercise of discretion In
trusted to the Legislature by the Constitution
unless il be plainly and grossly abused. The
expression as nearly as may be is direc
ton addressed to the Legislature in the way Of
q general statement of the principles upon
which the apportIonment shall be made.
Although the fairest that has been passed
upon the subject the act is not an absolutely
ideal one. Nevertheless the court decides that
ia view of the great aud necessary discretion
left TO the Legislature in the formation of Sen
ate Districts the Legislature by the alteration
Of the Senate Districts under the act OF lS9.
has not violated the legitimate and necessary
discretion Entrusted to il by the Legislature
As to the Assembly Districts the burden OF
complaint rests upon the anportionment of four
five members of Assembly out OF lbs. The
Convention of lS46 finally framed the provision
without any statement as 10 the fractions OF
ratios or how they should be treated, and the
question thus left TO legislative discretion to
lie exercised in good faith and not TO be abused.
The inference is fair that these changes were
absolutely necessary in order 10 secure the
passage of the bill. When we come to the Ques-
tion OF what law is in force in this State If
the law of 1892 is not, the situation becomes
most alarming. If the act of 1892 is void the
act of 1879 is also plainly void, and 10 election
OF members of Assembly should be tolerated
under it, We are compelled to the conclusion
that this act of 1892 successfully withstands
ali assaults upon it and is valid and effective
law"
Official election returns from Florida now
indicate a majority for Mitchell Of 81 800.
State Chairman Harvey, of the Populists,
claims that the action of the Boards of County
Commissioners in refusing to allow the
Peoples Party representation in the ap-
pnintments of inspectors and clerks OF elec-
tion, although they had positive ASSURANCES
from many Democratic leaders, kept the vote
of the Populists down. they believing that it
was useless to vote while the Democrats had
the count in their hands. The Force Bill "
was pushed great deal by the Democratic press,
which had the effect of keeping many Third
Partyites in the Democratic ranks, as il is
bugaboo easy TO brighten the Southern man
with. He was asked if the Popuists would go
on with the Congressional and National cleo
tors canvass and Col Harvey replied
"Why, of course. We are in this thing to
stay. You don't suppose a little setback like
this last election will brighten US off, do you?
The Republicans will help as out amazingly in
the November election. We shall have inspect
ors, too. There was good deal of fraudulent
counting in the last election, but not enough
20 ffansf ha hat vrhy nGr
ing the big cry of Fraud!' There were Coun-
ties where ] know from rs to 100 Peoples
Party tickets were thrown ana yet the returns
show only dozen or so. or none at all. But
they will show up all right at the November
election. We sha'n't carry the State of course,
but we shall largely increase the vote of Tues
day last"
A. s. Mann, who is running for Congress in
the Second District on the Peoples Party ticket,
says that he is surely going to be elected. He
gives the election law in Florida an awfully
black eve and says that the Democrats them
selves are hound 10 repeal il at the next session
Of the Legislature. q Ii they don't" he added,
their party will go to pieces in less than two
years"
Reports come from New York now TO the
effect that National politics are dull. Both
Chairman Carter and Chairman Harrity are
said to have come TO the conclusion that there
is no use trying to get up much enthusiasm.
The elements that tend TO decrease the popular
excitement over the candidates may be briefly
summarized thus: The lack OF novelty in the
campaign, with new men in the leading
stalls, no new or startling issues to be voted
upon, no new conditions 10 face-for the recent
Southern elections seem to have effectively
wiped out the Alliance as factor; the continu-
alton of the period of unusual prosperity
throughout the country, which makes it diff
cult for either party TO convince their add
herents that they are going 10 the bowwow
If they vote one way or that they are going to
be far richer il they vote the other. The fact
that both campaigns being run by new
men who are not wholly familiar with the
methods of political campaigns Of the past that
have been noteworthy for their scandals. If not
their sagacity, and the absence from the stump
OF many OF tie great leaders.
Every one understands the situation thor
oughly in New York. and the usual electioneer-
ing methods do not count for much under the
circumstances. Matters are quietly simmering.
but there is going 10 De heavy voting when the
time comes, aud not man is going TO he lost
who can be gotten to the polls.
An unusual state of things exists in North
Carolina. The Third Party is doing its utmost
70 secure the negroes votes. II they will not
vote Tor W aver they asked TO vote for the
othtt Callu4nalts, anu III not TINS, linen thew
urged 10 vote for the County and Legislative
nominees. The negroes are unusually reticcnt
now. They feel their importance since two /
parties are after their votes, for although the 4
Democrats 90 not appear TO be soliciting the |
colored vote, they state that they will be so re TO
get great deal Of il, particularly in the towns /
There are also many "Gideonites" in this 1
State, and these are supposed to have taken |
osths to support the Third Party.
There is a scheme TO bring about fusion in |
every part Of Minnesota. To this end the
Populists will withdraw all their candidates in
ST. Paul and Minneapolis and ia return for the
favor the Democrats viii withdraw all their
candidates in the Alliance stronghold in the
northern part OF the State. This plan contem-
plates the control OF the Lower House. with a
view 10 sending Michael Doran Of the Demo /
cratic National Committee 10 Minneapolis to |
the Senate 10 succeed Davis. In order 10 con- I
troll the Legislature the combine will have to I
elect 90 OF the Ia members Of the House,
In written opinion by Jgdge Mcbride, con- /
Cured in by ali the Judges the Supreme Court |
OF Indiana bas disposed Of the various motions /
and petitions in the apportionment case The /
motion of Attorney General Smith TO dismiss /
the appeal is oyerruled.
The court holds that the statements OF the |
PAPERS aud aftiGayits filed on the case snow |
that there is real controversy and that il il |
one which The parties have right 10 wage. 1t /