St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-16

1coo-lti1upllCdI III
Iowa has thus been for q quarter of a cent
ury one of the strongest Republican states in
the Union. But detection began to appear
soon after the enormous Republican plurality
OF iS.059 was given in 1850. Financial issues
were beginning 10 replace the passions of the
with the Greenbackers enabled the Demo-
Gratis to cut down the Republican plurality to
19, 713. IL 1SSS, without fusion, the plurality
was kept down to about two-fifths what IT
had been i'll 1880. Ia 1SSS the tariff issue was
for the first time presented, aud INCOMPLETE
as the campaign Of education had bean, its
effect was TO reduce the Republican majority
to less than 10000.
In the next year the Democrats carried the
state for governor by plurality of 6,523
In 1881 the Democrats won again. electing
Gov. Boies By plurality of 7,SI6. The Dem
ocrats lacked but Z, 533 of clear majority and
the Republicans were i'll minority of more
than 1000 on the total vote. The Farmers
Alliance cast 1921 votes and the Prohibition
lists 9I9.
These were state elections only. 1t is Gus
tomary to say that they were determined by
state issues particularly by popular discon-
tent with the prohibitory liquor law, and did
not represent change of party relations
upon national questions. SO far as the cleo
ton of governor is concerned there is truth,
doubtless, in this Interpretation.
But it does not explain the still more re-
markeble result of the last congressional
election in the intervening year of 1890. That
turned exclusively upon the national issues
involved in this years presidential contest
OF the eleven congressman chosen in that
year, the Democrats elected six by pluraliries
aggregating 14.125 and the Republicans five
by pluralites aggregating only 1856. More
significant still. in this congressional election.
test of the states attitude upon national is
sues the Democratic vote was All actual
though small majority over all. Moreover
there was a FARMERS Alliance vote of more
than 5000, which represented Democratic
sentiment upon the main issues of tariff re-
form.
This year there is grave dissatisfaction
among Iowa Republicans That party has
hitherto SO far satisfied tie Prohibition sellti-
ment i'll the state as TO reduce the Prohibl.
ton vote practically to nothing. 1t was less
than 900 in 1881, and has Oniy ouce ex-
ceeded 1900 This year the Republican CON
yentlon was asked to adopt its customary
declaration in favor of the prohibitory law,
and refused. The indications are strong that
q very considerable vote which the Repub-
licans have hitherto held by trucking to the
prohibition sentiment within the party will
be cast for Gen. BIdWell.
There ls:eyerysreason to believe, therefore
that Iowa is now hopeful fighting-ground for
the Democracy. A majority of her voters are
Democratic in sentiment upon the questions
at issue this year, and if vigorous educa-
tional campaign is made in the state its thir-
teen electoral votes may be wreSted from the
Republicans.
Whether this shall be ACCOMPLISHED by q
fusion with the Farmers Alliance upon an
electoral ticket composed of ninS Democrats
and five Alliance men, as some of the leaders
In the two parties suggest or by deter
mined fight for straight Democratic ticket
will be decided by the Democratic conven-
ton next week.
The more cautious Democratic leaders
favor fusion if the Alliance convention now
in session offers fair terms in order to make
the loss of the state to the Republicans GER
tain. Bolder ones are firmly convinced that
the state can be carried for a strictly Demo
cratic electoral ticket These oppose the
surrender of any part Of result which they
deem secure.
Whichever way the question may be deter
mined. Iowa should be fought for vigorously
aud won.
THE NEXT PRESIDENT MUST BIZ DEMOCRAT.