The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-11-16
THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

The hardest thing in the world tt
do is for defeated party to account
for the defeat, and yet no man Oh
party was ever defeated that each
were not most anxious to do that diff
cult thing, show the reasons ano
means by which the defeat was &C
complished. 1t is not at all strange
that the Democrats were beaten all
along the line in the November cleo
tions. This is an off year, which Of
itself produces indifference, but es.
pecially has that indifference been in
tensified this year by the action OF the
Democratic leaders and the apparent
uncertain policy of the party. When
senators OF the United States split
their party action in twain in that
body they encourage split in the
rank and file of the party. The very
first question that confronted Demo-
cratic administration was that of the
repeal of the silver purchasing law,
of the unlimited coinage Of
silver. That question at once divided
the party, especially in the senate,
and it is not strange that even more
than indifference to the result of
the November elections was mani
tested. Unfortunately for the party
the Populists were advocating the
same silver policy as the minority OF
the silver senators, and those who were
with the latter faction were not only
Indifferent to" Democratic organiza-
ton, but went over to the Populists,
thereby contributing to the Republic
all majorities 1t is true that the Re-
publicans differed upon the question
but that difference did not affect their
local organizations. Whatever the
Republican voters may.have thought
of the silver question, they did not
permit it to disorganize their state
action.
While the Republicans went
into the race fully organized
and drilled, the Democrats went
into the race, Indifferent and uncer
tain and often absolutely deserted
and join the ranks of the Populists.
There are other local causes. Tam
many presumed too much on it's pow
er in New York and by putting Judge
Maynard on the ticket sacrificed the
state. In Ohio, Mckinley represented
the protective system while his OPP
ponent LAW ence Il. Neal was way
ahead of his party in advocating free
trade, not a tariff for revenue only,
but absolute free trade, while the
platform of the National Democratic
did not go farther than a
for q tariff for revenue
,nly. The fight in Ohio was there
ore intensified by Meals extreme
doctrines. And as matter of course
won. In the other states
where there were Republican gains
t was attributable more
% Democratic detection and union
with the Populists than any real
growth in the Republican party ex-
,ept that their thorough organization
enabled them in the face of weak
,ned and doubling party to bring out
heir full vote. The people OF this
country are just as much opposed to
tariff as they were when
hey gave Mr.. Cleveland such a large
on that very issue, and as far
rs that main object of the Democracy
Is concerned, a reduction of the tariff,
he party is as strong today as it was
1t the close of the polls in the presi-
iential campaign.
Surprises always occur in an off
year. Very seldom in the history of
politics in this country have the party
N power been able to sustain the ma
critics by which they were put
IN power; on the other hand every
November election has re-
suited In q triumph of the administra-
lion opponents. A greater triumph
This year than formerly for these OPP.
ponents of the powers that be, is not
1t all surprising when we consider
the differences that at once sprung up
in the administration party. This
defeat should teach US q lesson of 10y.
Atty to party and the maintenance at
all times of thorough organization.