Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-27
-spouaence Of T,e Tvenin- Sta.

has been waged in Massachusetts Both parties
have neryed themselves for the final struggle.
The leaders realize perfectly well that many
an election. state and national, has been won or
lost IN the last two weeks. They recall that it
was not until the night before the polls were
opened in 1884 tina: the fatal ALTERATION of a
Burchard doomed the Idol of the republican
party to lead 1t to its first national defeat.
They have caught The spirit of Boston's cham
piOn club and viii '.plsy BALI until the last
man is out
The principal difference between the republic
can and democratic parties in this state today
IL that the former can reduce their confidence
to figures. while the latter prefer to deal in gen.
eralites- here is rational method of political
representation that dispose Of Harrison s
$4,000 plurality over Cleveland four years ago.
The democratic leaders admit this. Privately
they say they have no expectation of carrying
the state for Cleveland.
GOV. RrssELL's CASE
With Gov. Russell the case is different. The
rank and file Of his own party are confident Of
his reelection and thousands of republicans
who have never looked into the question care
fully hold the same view, even while intending
to vote for Halle themselves. But here also
the democratic hope ia not reducible to figures
II Is difficult for an UMPIRE JUDGED person to zee
1t victory for Halle.
Here wo have n democratic governor con-
tronted by n republican lieutenant governor
The former received only 766 votes more than
the latter in 1891. Both then received $4,000
less votes than Harrison in 1885, but {. 900 more
votes than Cleveland These figures show that
the reserve vote il large and that il is republi-
can. To win Russell must get one-haf of
these republicans, who both parties admit are
to come out and vote for Harrison. just a. they
dldIn lsss If they o,won't majority of them
vote for Halle also? Lieut.. Gov. Halle is an
able, clean man. There is no choice between
the candidates ON that score. That brings the
question back to an Issue of party fealty. Will
more republicans vote to promote good republic
can lieutenant governor than will vote to continue
a good democratic governor in office? There
can be but one reasonable answer to that ques-
ton Unless Gov. Russell bears a charmed life
politically be is doomed to defeat this year. In
deed, i, il some superstition like this that lies
bacs OF nearly all the democratic confidence
Iii his success.
FTGUREs AGAINST THE DEMOCRATS.
III admit" said a democratic editorial
writer of prominence today, that on paper
Russell is badly beaten. Yet somehow believe
he will win
The figures are against u.s. that is certain"
said Mr. Josiah Quincy. chairman of the demo-
cratic state central committee, last night but
they have bad Russell beaten by the figures be-
fore election each time he has carried the
state
There are some uncertain factors in the prob
lem which tend to strengthen the democratic
nope. For the first time in a preside ntial cleo
ton the Australian ballot is to be used 1t has
enabled Russells personal popularity to aid
him In other contests-will it be enough to
carry him through this one? For the first time
in any election the poll tax is not required as a
prerequisite for voting This has not only
added thousands of democratic names to the
voting lists, but has also induced TO register an
army Of young men who have reached their
majority since lsSS. but were not enough inter-
ested IN state contests to pay 81 for a chance to
vote. These indifferent young fellows are
naturally attracted by the youthful governors
dashlng personality. the honors he received at
Chicago and the other merited tributes to his
popularity, and viii. as a rule, vote for him,
whatever direction their pencils take in marking
the remainder of the ballot.
Gov. Russell had intended to make a few
speeches in New Hampshire. but the showing
made by the democratic canvass of the state,
now half completed. is such that his dates there
have been cancelled. He will throw all his
strength into the campaign, and will be on the
stump constantly until election day. II any
thing can overcome the odds against him that
will.
THE CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTS.
Beautiful fighting all along the line" would
be soldiers description of the congressional
contests now in progress here. Massachusetts,,
still republican state in national elections, is
represented in Washington BY seven democrats
to five republicans. The state has been re-
districted and one Congressman added. 1t has
been something of task TO look up the votes
of the several towns and counties constituting
the congressional districts as now drawn and
determine what their complexion is when judged
by the vote for President in 1888 and for Com
gressmen and state officers since.
The result Is more satisfactory to republican
chances than many expected. inasmuch as the
redistricting was done by the democrats and
minority Of republicans. The returns show
that every district as now constituted
went for Harrison in 1888 except two
the thirteen showed a republican plurality I'M
der the tidal wave Of the congressional election
of 1890. Eight Of the thirteen, and not the
same eight, were carried by Allen in his defeat
for governor last year. and five by RUSSELL who
won the election. Even Halle. when he ran for
lieutenant governor last year, carried ten of
the thirteen districts against his opponent, Gen.
CorcOran-just twice as many OF them did
Gov. Russell, the man Lieut.. Gov. Halle now
faces in the gubernat0risl contest. There are
only two districts which some republican has
not carried in some election during the last
four years. There are seven which no demo-
cTat has carried either in national, state or
congressional contest within that time.
FORMER VOTES IN THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS.
The first district in 1883 cast Is, 943 votos for
President Harrison and 1883 votes for Cleve-
land. The republican congressional vote for
two years ago was 1852 and the democratic
e.217. For governor in 1891 Russell had IL l2S
ard Allen 1875. but Mr.. Halle carried it by
$50 votes.
In the second district in 1888 the republican
plurality wa 23!2. In 1890 the congressional
plurality was 20. In 1891 Allen carried it BY
400 for governor and Lieut. Gov. Halle by 1850
In the third district the republican plurality
for President in 1888 was 3,079: Congress in
1850. 326 governor IN 1891, Cos, and for lieuten-
ant governor. l.SII
The fourlh district gave Harrison 1894
plurality in 1888. Congress in $780, ,073: Allen
for governor in 1871. LOOP, and Lieut.. Gov.
Halle. 2. 925 plurality.
The fifth district. which Harrison carried in
1855 by l.lOa, in 1850 went democratic by 2.G23
for Congress and gave Russell for governor in
1891 $50 plurality and Cochran for lieu tenant
governor I16.
The sixth district was carried by Harrison in
/ ISIS by 1903 plurality. Therepubhcan plurality
/ for Congress 1851 Allen carried 1t By LOT
ard Lieut.. Gov. Halle by 2,0i5.
| The seventh district IL naturally republican,
Harrison carving it in 1883 by 1000 plurality;
congressi0Galiy, 955; Allen III 1891, 10; Halle,
\ 4,2ll.
The eighth district was carried by Gov. Rus
4 sell in 1891 by 372 plurality. but Lieut.. Gov.
I Halle went Out of IL with l. 3gl and Harrison In