Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-07
A FAR-REACHING CALAMITY
How the Democratic Leaders Regard the
Results of the Elections.
Particular Significance in the Changes
I'm West Virginia and
New York.

While many democrats express the belief
that the disaster which overwhelmed the
party yesterday will be found an excellent
thing for it eventually on the weli-known
publication by fire and sweetening by ad-
versity plan, there are some who are high
in its councils who regard the calamity as
almost irretrievable. In the first place. ac-
cording to their view, free coal has done
what the republican Iarty, working night
and day for thirty years, failed to accom-
plish. 1t has, they say, broken the solid
south by giving over West Virginia to the
republicans irrevocably. This may seem to
be an exaggerated statement, but the eX-
planation will show that 1t has force.
Every national politician in the country is
aware that the democrats have retained
control Of West Virginia only by maintain
ing one of the most superb organizations in
the Union. This may be readily understood
by taking one county OF the state as an ex-
ample. The county of Ohio, in which the
city of Wheeling is situated, casts l1,UO
votes. For ten years the democrats have
carried it's electors, both municipal and
state, and yet their largest majority in all
that time has only been l6O. Yesterday
Ohio county gave a republican majority OF
LOO. Free coal was alone responsible Tor
the change.
The democrats had won steadily on the
Congress Congressman Wilson made a
successful campaign by referring 10 the
fact that he had secured duty OF 40 cents
a ton or coal In the Mills bill, and the
miners of West Virginia had been educated
to believe that the product upon which
they depended would be protected. The
tariff bill became a law, and not even the
40 cents duty they prayed and pleaded Tor
was granted. The result Is shown in yes
terdays election. What the future -7ill
bring forth may be easily sketched. BY
years of hard work and close figuring the
democrats managed to arrange the congress
sional districts in the state SO as to give
majorities for their party. Geographical
consider ations were thrown aside in the de-
sire to secure political advantage. The
election of democratic legislatures per-
petuated the adopted system. Now, all
this will be changed The republican legis-
lature will elect Stephen b. Elkins Senator
first and redistrict the state Immediately
afterwards. In his new position repub-
ucan leader in the state Mr.. Elkins will
not be backward in spending money to
perfect his party's organization. No man
is better equipped for such action. The
democrats know this, and in their pencilIing
hereafter West Virginia will no longer be
classed as a part of the solid south.
New York Is even more bitter for them
TO contemplate than West Virginia The
adoption of the constitutional amendments
being foregone conclusion, the political
complexion of the empire state will undergo
marvellous changes. The apportlonment
provided for in one of the amendments
adopted cannot be changed for twenty
years. 1t is claimed that this gives the
state to the republicans for that length OF
time almost beyond ally chance of demo-
cratic redemption. The program In the i'm
mediate future is well known. A republi-
can legislature will take away the charter
of New York city and create a commission
to govern it. That will put the quietus to
TamEiany effect Ially, II is hoped. The
same legislature will, without question re-
district the state In such a manner as to
aid in securing a majority OF republican
Representatives in Congress. 1t can be
easily seen what vast Importance will
attach to such action when the proba bill
tiles of preside ltial election being thrown
into the House of Representatives are con-
sidered. In such case the vote of New
YORK would be thrown for the republican
candidate.
So, while reform democrats are expatiat-
ing upon the valuable lesson taught to the
party by yesterdays election, the machine
men IT. 1t are realizing the national ad-
Vantfges that .lave accrued to their op-
poneEts, and the pictures that float before
their minds eyes are full of dark shadows