Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-14
THE CAMPAIGN TO DATE.

The campaign is now far advanced: and
it is within truth to say that in no Presi-
dental contest in the memory of the pres
ent generation have the political managers
upon both sides possessed, at correspond
ing date, less positive knowledge to base
predictions upon. The Republicans rely
on the strong sense of the country in
favor of sound and tried business policy.
This undercurrent is always powerful. Il
is often much stronger than there are sur
face indications to show. To manufact-
urers, merchants and skilled workingmen
the maintenance of conditions favorable to
cur various industries is very vital mat
ter; and they will be little likely to favor
changes under the influence of 'hurrah"
oratory. Unless convinced that there is a
prospect of bettering things, they are
usually indisposed to change If, in all
of the generalized denunciationS of pro-
lection, these classes have discovered yet
any writer or speaker to tell them def
nitely how, or how much, free trade OF
tariff for revenue only" in place of pro-
lection, can help their pockets, we are not
aware of the fact. As late as yesterday
Mr.. Cleveland was still talking of the
.'iniquities" of the Mckinley bill; but he
has not yet announced the schedule he
proposes to set up to better that Act.
But while in this campaign, more than
ever, the sound and conservative business
sense of the country is invited to range
itself upon the Republican side, it remains
to be seen whether the Republicans have
the effective organization for electiOneer-
ing work which they had in previous can
vases. The illness of Mr.. Blaine has been
serious loss, as his presence on the stump
would have been of eminent value. The
ability of Quay as an organizer also was
factor formerly to be taken into account,
no matter whether one chose to estimate
the man from the standpoint of supporter
OF foe. The silver dissension in the West
is also of some consequence, though proba-
by the feeling about it has been greatly
exaggerated; and the possible loss of few
electors in Michigan is another feature
upon the cards 1t is encouraging, how
ever, that the Republicans recognize these
points, and the renewed energy in New
York, and other doubtful States, during
tine past few days, is healthy sign.
Meanwhile, though the more hopeful
Democrats are indulging in an unusually
large stock of rainbow prospects, the real
mathematicians of the party cannot be
m sled by mere dreams, as they were in
1883. They know that they will have to
carry New York State if they expect to
win, and there are too many complications
there for Cleveland and Hill to feel sure
about it, even if they were more heartily
united. The seeds of bitter disSension
sown in factional fights among the New
York Democrats have an awkward habit
of Towering effectively in Presidential con-
tests. The Tammany "tiger" is not yet
so fully domesticated in the fold of the ma
tional leaders as to warrant much faith un-
til the returns are counted. But even with
united opposition the Republicans will
have an excellent chance of carrying New
York upon the sound business policy
which that party represents.
There has been little work in the can
vass by the rank and file of either party
up to date; but from now on the public
interest and curiosity as to the outcome
will grow ndousy-increasing in
direct proportion as uncertainty prevails.