Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-11
The Republican Victories.

Three years ago the Republicans had to
fight with vigor and earneStness for the
possession of Rhode Island, natural
stronghold of protection. Now the field is
theirs virtually without contest SO COM
plete is the Generalization of the Demo
cratic forces. Governor Lippitt has plu'
rality of 1l,000 and the legislature is Re-
publican by overwhelming majority.
1t is the same little state in which MT
Cleveland opened the presidential canvass
of 1872 by quoting the eighth command
met against protection, and in which also
a most determined effort was made to de-
feat the reelection of Senator Aldrich; but
the political conditions have been trans
formed. Only little while ago Rhode
Island was a doubtful state, with two
Democratic congressman and Legislature
evenly divided. 1t is now as heavily Re-
publican as it was in war times.
The west is answering the signals set in
the east. The spring elections in Michi
gan have been carried by the Republicans
with oldtime pluralities ranging between
40, 600 and $1,000. Chicago elects u Repub-
lican mayor by plurality of over $4,000
and buries out of sight corrupt gang Of
mercenary politicians. 1t is victory for
municipal reform as important as the cleo
ton of Mayor Strong in New York last
November and since there is no need of
legislation for securing the removal OF in.
competent officials, it will be followed by
an immediate improvement in local adj
ministration. ST. Louis is also heavily
Republican, and the astonishing Demo-
cratic losses of last fall in Missouri have
been repeated and in many instances in
creased. There are no signs of backset
of public opinion in favor of Democracy.
Last years tide of Republicanism is still
flowing with increasing volume and
sweeping everything before it.
The Democratic party was on record in
its radical platform of 1892, and every
pledge save one was broken. The Federal
election laws were repealed, and that was
the only evidence of good faith. All the
other policies to which Democracy had
been committed were either compromised,
tepudiated or reversed The pledge break
,rs had To reckon last year with an out
tagged public opinion. They were con-
demned for their treachery, cowardice and
incompetence. No political party ever re-
ceived a more justly merited rebuke from
the conscience voters OF every section OF
the country. The Democratic leaders had
played fast and loose with their princi
pies, and there was a moral revolt of un-
precedented intensity and magnitude
against party which repudiated its
promises and abandoned its policies.
Six months have passed and the coun-
try is not only resenting Democratic
treachery, but it is also counting the cost
of its own credulity and folly in entrust-
ing its business and productive interests
to the direction and control of incom.
potent and reckless party leaders. Re
Election has convinced the majority of
thinking men, south as we'll as north,
that the Republican party is the only ono
that can conduct the finances of the ma
ton successfully. The contrast between
Republican administration with abun-
dant revenues, unrivalled credit and re-
sources for reducing the national debt,
and q Democratic administration con
fronted with deficiencies, borrowing
heavily and at the mercy of foreign bank
ers in the maintenance of the resumption
act, has impressed all serious citizens.
The Republican vote steadily increases be-
cause the public conviction has been
deepened that the continuance of Demo.
cratic rule Is runious. New York Tri.
bune.