New-York tribune., 1895-07-29


Il look forward to virtual Republican vie
tory in Kentucky In November These are no'
the words of an irresponsible blower of partisan
trumpe's. but Of Richard Smith, the veteran
editor of Cincinnati. than whom few political
observers have had more experience or mani
tested more sagacity His letter on The situation
in Kentucky and Ohio is full Of interest and may
protitably be studied by some political leaders III
those States. Mr.. Smith is not so basscd In his
Judgment that he ignores The possibility or 4
Democratic Legislature in Ohio. and the success
Of Senator Brice But he believes that Demo
cratic division in Kentucky on the silver qucS-
lion. the natural leaning Of many Kentucky
Democrats toward protection. the advantage OF
a secret ballot and the prestige Of success in six
ont Of eleven Congressional districts last year.
give the Republican party a fair chance of "A
safe majority. If not "A very decisive one for
the Republican ticket in that State. The at
tcmpt Of Democrats To dodge the silver question
hy putting a free silver candidate on really
meaningless bu; profcssedly sound money
platform has not brought harmony. and Senator
Blackburn is making his fight for the Senator
ship Oh free silver basis. In def1an' disregard oi
the muzzing mandates Of his Stat" committee.
Looking 70 Ohio. Mr.. Smith sees reason 10 eN
peer il Republican victory but not win such
uaiortics as In 1893 and 1894. and recognizes
that Senator Brlcr has a chance OF securing Il
ma jority in the Legislature. The reasons gwen
by The experienced observer should command thc
attention Of those in charge OF the RcpuDhcah
forces He states that the last and the preceding
Legislatures both largely Republican, "did h"'
discharge their duties to the satisfaction OF tax
pavers generally that the last Increased the local
.ipdcbtetness Of the State $S,WO,WO, and look
.nav for TWO sessions. though holding but one,
| "and that taxes are paid with difficulty owing 10
! .1he hard times" that there l. n great deal OF
unrest and party lukewarmncss. Mr. smith
! nigh: add that party is almost always in some
danger when its majority has become SO large as
70 give every voter feeling that his individual
vote will make no practical difference. While
| about as united as parties usually are the Re
pubcans are resting on their oars, and Mr..
! Smith believes that wise men will discover
that the party. In order TO win, must work.
| Senator Brire hopes 10 secure majority III the
LEGISLATURE through the dissatisfaction Of sev-
eral thousand Independent voters In Hamilton
and Cuvahoga counties on account OF the be
havlor Of .he Legislature. and he has shrewd-
ness as we'll as ample resources. His party Is
|
readily agree in convention August 20. but In
fighting for Legislative candidates will the
more nearly call ont The full party strength. be
cause the Senator insists that every candidate
shall 90 perfectly unplcdged and free to vote as
! he thinks best on the ScnatOrship This Is The
| more shrcwd because, though Mr.. Smith does
not say so Senator Brice has the cnInity OF many
in his own party as one Of the few Democratic
Senators who dictated the "Bill Of Sale and Sur
render" though he doubtless has also the favor
Of some whose interests he helped to save from
| Democratic destructiveness.
The review of the situation In the two central
! States brings ont the fact that the Democrats
| are not fighting under their own flag. but are
/ irving to flch successes In spite Of their real be-
lefs and purposes In Kentucky the large ina
| iority wants free coinage. but consents 70 a de
cepiive platform In order 10 keep Admnstra
ton men In line Senator Brce Is far from
a representative of the Dcmocratic free traders
OF Ohio, but as he can command resources and
votes which another could not. they are content
TO accep, his leadership, and would rather win
in that way than not win at all