New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-15
TIE REPTBLICIN G1INS.

Democrats would have been encouraged. aftcr
the large gains made by the Republicans III the
town elections "A year ago. if there had been
something like a reaction this year and fall
ing off in the Republican vote. Last year the
town elections were influenced very largely by
the feeling of resentment and indignation when
So generally prevailed mt the high handed acton
of the Democratic Legislature in the passage OF
laws whose sole purpose was To strengthen the
hands of Democratic Bosses and pcrpetuatc the
partvs control of the State. Mr.. Cleveland had
not been inaugural the Democratic Congress
had not vet entered upon the task which mas
since engaged it-of promoting National pros
Dcritv by striking down the industries OF Inc
country The results of the town elections IN
1893 could hardly be called IN Indication Of 4
change in public opinion upon the National pol
lev of the Democratic party or the capacity OF
that party to administer the Federal Govern
mcnt Though pointing. perhaps. TO Il slowly
dawnnS perception on the part of The people
that they had made Il mistake in November,
1sg2 they were not of National significance.
They meant primarily n popular uprising
against Boss rule and Boss legislation to per-
pct,atc Boss rule in this State.
If this demonstration had been followed by
apathy it would have been in accord with the
natural law of action and reaction. And 1t
is unusually significant. that after the large
gains of last year the tide of opposition to De
mocracy should continue 10 rise. AMI that the
results of the town elections on Tuesday should
show not only no falling on in the Republican
vote. but still larger Republican gains over
those Of 1893. it acccntdatcS the verdict Of last
year against the local miSruc Of III" Bosses
and adds thereto the Judgment Of popular con
dcmnation upon the National policy of the Ad
minstration and the Democratic party in Con
grcss II may. and undoubtedly will. be- said
that the election Of supervisors and other local
officers has no bearing upon National affairs
and that considerations of tariff or currency or
the foreign policy Of the Administration do not
enter into il. But all the same IL Is an undcni
able fact that the estimation in which the party
in power in the Nation is held by the people
Is shown i'm greater or less degree by their atti
tudc toward the candidates Of that party In the
local elections. If they have lost confidence IN
the party they are quick 10 show ii NJ the first
opportunity. The vote of last November was
an emphatic condemnation Of the National Adj
minstration and the party in control of Con
crcsS rs well aS of the Bosses who had mis-
governed the State. tn" little elections of
Tuesday give further emphasis 10 that vote
II means that the people realize how great
a mistake they made In 1892. and that they do
not intend Ia stop with administering Singl"
rcbukc 10 the party in power. but 10 follow II
UP with unmistakablc proofs Of Heir utter
condemnation From III" day Of Mr.. Clcvc-
lands Inauguration the tide Of popular disap-
prevail Of his policy and his party has been
rising without interruption or ebb. Never III
the history of the country has IN Admnisra-
ton encountered in the first year of lis exist
cncc such succession of defeats and disasters.