The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-06
THE &C. p. IN THEBAY STATE.
JIGH7ING FOR ITS VERY EXISTENCE
IN ITS GREAT STRONGHOLD.


Than $4,000 for Harrison, or 1000
Less Than Four Years Ago-StraininE
Every Nerve 20 Heat Gov. RusseIi-Ths
Fight In the Thirteen Congress Districts.
BosToS. Nov. 5.--The G. o. T. has been fight
ing for its worry existence In Massachusetts,.
and now on tho cvo of election, II looks as
though IL Ind succeeded In keeping Massa-
chusctts In the Republican column for another
period OF four years. But 1t will be by re-
duced plurality. IL the canvass OF the votes on
both sides is trustworthy. In 1888 Harrison
had 1873. 1872 votes in the state and Cleveland
had 15l .S55 This year the most careful can
yass on tho Republican side shows a probable
vote for Harrison Of 2O0.720 and q probable
vote for Cleveland OF 175.S23. Although
these figures give Harrison q plurality
OF 24.S07. tho Republicans do not view
the situation with any degree OF satisfaction.
Four years ago Harrison had a plurality Of
32.037. In tho past four years the Republican
gain has been but little more than half OF the
Democratic gain. According to the figures Of
the canvass. the Republicans claim gain OF
1928. or only fraction more than 8 per
cent. Tho Democratic estimate. which Is
equally conservative. gives Cleveland a gain
OF 23.eGS. or nearly IA per cent. or course.
the voters may upset all these estimates when
they are closeted In the polling booths. but
tho above figures show pretty nearly what the
leaders OF both parties are counting on In the
Presidential contest
1t has been a remarkably quiet campaign.
There hns been but little enthusiasm. and un-
til the registration hooks were opened tho
leaders Of both parties wore really alarmed
at the apparent apathy OF the voters.
But the registration was an eye-opener. The
voters had done little talking. but whom they
were asked to step UP and be registered they
fairly ed about the registration offices
and names were put upon the lists until all
records and all estimates were broken. All
over tho State the result was the same. In
Democratic and Republican stronRholds alike.
This latter fact nonplus sod the leaders OF both
sidea and. more than anything else. led to the
very conservative estimate which has been
made.
The Gubernatorlal contest. however. fur
nishes enough excitement In the latter days
OF the campaign to mako up for all that was
lost in the earlier part OF the fight. Twice has
BILLY" Russell. as he is afrectionately known
by his friends-and they are legion-been
elected to the high Office Of Governor OF the
old Bay State. And Russell Is q Democrat.
His first election was at the time OF the great
Democratic landslide. which gave the Repub-
licans their first taste Of what Is coming by
and by. After they had recovered conscious
ness they put on as smiling countenances as
was possible under the circumstances and
expressed the wish that the next election
might come right away. 1t came oil too
soon for the demoralized Republicans. and
Gov. Russell was his own SUCCESSOR Now
the Republican cry is. How can We beat
Russell2" And that is what tho Republicans
have been straining every nerve to accom-
plish. They have succeeded in getting a big
registration Of voters. but their satisfaction is
tinged with uneasiness over the knowledge
that the Democrats have also been hustling.
Jnasmuch as the champion registry list Is
In Boston. the Democratic stronghold. the Re-
publicans arc scared lest. in their efforts to
arouse apathetic Republicans. they have
aroused the Democrats as we'll.
Gov. Russell is probably the most popular
man in Massachusetts. He counts his friends
personal irieuds-by the thousands and every
time he shakes hand. whether it be at cat
makes new friend. The Republicans realize
his POPULARITY and know that they, must roll
der to ciiset Gov Husssl!'s magnetic infiu-
ence. They feel satisfied that with q. 900 plu.
Ing Mr.. Halle in the Gubernatoria! chair But
they are not ma king any loud talk about Mr..
Ma lis sas .hsy viii ne IL the margin is
paiGn which tend to mako the result Of the
important OF these is the abolshm ent Of the poll
tax tax as a prerequisite for voting: Last year
Constitution. which had been passed by two
successive Legislatures. and the great source
was out Of tho way sy The money Which they
now be turned into other channels. After 1t
attack of ague when they realized that BY far
the larger proportion Of the non pol-tax paying
at first to give UP the fight But Il little inves-
tiGation showed them that there were hun;
Who her
right Of suffrage because they were unable or
unwilling, to pay their real estate tax before
the LIST OF November. and were ashamed to
ask for a division thereof so that they might
Gay tho poll tax and thus qualify for, voting.
able to exercise the right Of suffrage. and they
have helped to swell the rolls OF the registrars
registration is Republican amor or Dem ocratio Il is
euracy:. Each side claims about half. ii the
Republicans haven't got more than half OF the
new registration Gov Russell will he reelected.
The second factor. which puzzles those who
the doubt as to Which Way the ProIibitonists
will Jump. Last year they were largely in
direct votes in his favor. The Prohibition
lenders had secured pledges from their little
anl ts s 99 1oSb
TORY candidate. The remaining 5000 votes
were cast. and. inasmuch as goodly number
voted for Coy. Russell in order to vent their
spite on tho Republican party. it is fair TO pre-
sumo hat most OF the mis- sing votes went in the
same direction. As Gov liussell's plurality last
year was onyU.477. it will be seen tn at he owed
his election as much to The Pr9hHitionists as
said that u large proportion Of tile Prohlbitory
vote will be east for MI Halle, Gov Russell
vetoed tho bill which provided for tho sup
preston o Of the tirHHling sh2Ir, which was
closing hours Of the session. This made the
ProhiDitionists mad. and they propose to knife
Gov. Russell in consequence. The measure
was passed by the Republicans forthe express
and tho object Of tho projectors Of tho scheme
was fulfilled to their entire satisfaction Gov.
Russell WAS certainly in u dilemma when that
bill was presented for his signature. He was
bound to make trouble for himself whichever
attitude he assumed. and he realizes it now
when every vote counts.
The Congressional fight in Massachusetts
has not received tho attention which 1t de-
served. Last year the state was redistricted,
and an extra Congressman was assigned to
Massachusetts. Two years ago. under the old
apIortionment. the Democrats elected seven
Of the twelve C2ngressmsn. This year it
other Way nd TINT tho ltepublcans would re-