The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-14
A Study Of the Election Figures.

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
Two or three lessons may be learned
from the figures of the late city election
which are interesting, if not profitable
First-The aggregate vote for Mayor has
increased from 26,246 in 1891 to 3O,O4 In
1899, an increase of IA 4-10 per cent, which
is not a bad showing as to the increase OF
the city's population in two years.
Second-The Republican vote has in
creased from 1883 in 1891 to 1928 in 1893.
an increase of 40 40 per cent. in two years,
which is not bad for a minority party,
which, without repudiating or evading q
single national issue. tackled every local
issue resolutely. In other words whatever
support local issues have afforded, those. If
any who are not Republicans on national
issues have declared that they prefer to
leave the management OF purely local mat
their own party
ThirC-The Democratic vote fell off from
1890 in 1891 to $50 in 1888, falling of
of 1,07O or $40 per cent, not very
encouraging showing considering its chief
aim at this election was to preserve the
strength of the party in view of the bear
ing of this election upon their national
organization.
Fourth-The Prohibition party has fallen
off from $50 in 1891 to 301 in 1898, loss of
$40 per cent, whereas it should have cast
377 votes to have kept up with the growth
of the city. The figures show that after
twenty-one years of existence as national
party it commands already just l per cent.
of the vote of this city Not so bad a
showing, however, as to discourage It's
friends in keeping up the organization. The
special significance of this vote is that ii
was taken the national platform eX-
clusively, no interest being attached to
any of the local issues 1t is not at all
discouraging that after a most vigorous
campaign they lack seventy-six votes of
holding their own, considering the growth
of the city.
Fifth-The Socialist vote numbered 1s0
As this was their first vote this Is clear
gain, and as il shows six-tenths of / per
cent. of the voting population there is rea-
for them to hope that by the time
they have been as long organized as the
Prohibition party has they may success
fully contest the claims OF that party to be
called the third party.
One result is a great surprise. but very
significant in it's teachings. Judge Buskirk
ran only SOB behind Mayor Sullivan and one
ahead of the average Democratic vote cast
for councilmen at large. When it is remem-
campaign entirely upon his record as the
friend of the law breakers of the city Ii
Is surprising that he ran ahead OF the city
ticket for councilmen at large. There is
more apology for the moral elements vot-
ing for Sullivan, who claimed to be a
remotely responsible for enforcing the law.
Buskirk even run forty-Seven ahead of
Coy in the Ninth ward, showing that he is
more popular with the element which sup
ported him than Coy is himself This Is to
be accounted for by the fact that the cam
paign on the part of the Democratic party
was purely on the national issue, and all
good Democrats either ignored the local
issues or indorsed Judge Buskirk's pro-
lection of law breakers we'll as the
financial policy OF the party In it's city
INDIANAPOLIS Oct T.