Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-04

THIS YEARS ELECTIONS.
For many reasons il is very fortunate,
as the Albany Argus points out in SEN
slble editorial on the subject, that the
elections to be held during the present
year are far fewer in number and OF
much less general interest than is
usual even in the so-eaUed ''of-year" OF
politics. Congress is on the point Of as
sembllng, and il is probable that its de-
alterations will be carried well into the
autumn, il, indeed, she special session
does not continue until December. when
the regular session will begin, thus
causing Congress to sis continuously for
nearly or quite year. The work before
il is such as 10 commend the respectful
attention Of the country, and it is fortu'
nate that that attention is not to DO dis
tracted by elections in all the States.
Only thirteen Of the forty-four States
hold State elections this year, and IN
some Of these the elections are relative
~ Of little political consequence.
Governors and the State officers, in
whole or in part, are to be chosen in
November In Iowa, Massachusetts
Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Except
Virginia these five States have all until
recently been counted safe Republican
States, and last year Iowa, Msssaehu-
setts and Ohio gave HARRISON their
electoral votes, Ohio by a narrow plu-
rsllty, which permitted the choice OF
ope CLEVELAND elector. But four OF
these five States now have Democratic
Governors. so that the Democracy have
eyervtbing to lose in them aud nothing
10 gain. In Iowa Governor BoIEs VIII
decline a third term, and in Massaehu-
setts Governor RUSSELL will adopt the
same course, so the party will be with
out the aid which the names OF these
two forceful personalities have brought
10 it during the last few years. Or the
Southern States Virgins has been reck-
oned the most doubtful Of those usually
classed as Democratic, but the collapse
OF Republicap,sm under discredlted
leadership appears to be complete. The
election in all Eve Of these States will
abound f.. dramatic interest, and
Democratic victory in any one Of them
doubtless be accepted as placing 1t Sc
cure'y in the Democratic column for an
ipdsfnite time in the future, while Re-
publican success in any one Of them
could be interpreted only as placing the
State in the doubtful column.
In Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska,
South Dakota and Pennsylvania only
judicial officers are 70 be chosen by a
general vote this year, saved in the last
named State, where a treasurer is TO be
chosen, and 10 such elections the issues
Of national and State politics count for
little, voters always feeling much freer
to 20 outside Of party lines in casting
their ballots for the judiciary than for
officers chosen to carry out party poll
cies or severe party purposes. Mary
land and Missouri will doubtless elect
judges, and Pennsylvania
will elect a Republican judge. The
Populist party in North and South Da-
kota is still Powerful and its influence
will lend an interest to the results in
those TWO States which otherwise they
would lack.
Kentucky will elect legislature TO
choose successor TO United States
Senator LINDsA,Y who will, doubtless,
DO elected for a full term, and Mary
land will ect a Democratic legislature.
Results in these TWO States are foregone
The election In New York State will
be for all the State officers, except Gov
eruor and Lieutenant Governor, for an
entire Legislature under the new appor-
tlonmsut aud for a constitutional con-
vention Of IT'S members. In import
ance, therefore, it will rank with the
States which are to choose governors,
but New York is sOlidly Democratic
The autumn is to be one OF keen polit-
ical discussion, but it will be rather
over the proceedings az Washington
than over contests at the polls.