New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-13
THE LITTLE SILVER SPOT.

Montana votes to uphold the course of Sen
ators whose action has practically placed them
outside the Republican party. 1t Is gratifying
that in such convention great GOODNESS toward
Governor Mckinley was shown. Senator Teller
reiterates the declaration that he intends to bolt
unless the Republican National Convention does
what he knows it will not do. He is at least
thousand times more manly and honest than men
who try to be delegates in q convention which
they intend to bolt How far this conspiracy
may extend does not yet appear, but its limits
are steadily narrowing. The Dakotas put them
selves outside Of it and in the Republican ranks,
and California and Oregon have done the same.
as Washington doubtless will The contest Is
narrowed to six silver States and of these
Wyoming, If judged by the action of It's Sen
ators. is likely to take stand with the Repub-
lican party. Senator Sh0up is stOutly contend
Ing against the boilers in Idaho, and Senator
Wolcott in Colorado, and Utah is also a battle
field. Montana alone as yet. in uphodng war
fare against Protection, takes position hostile
to the Republican party.
clearer understanding Of the political forces
in orr country may be gained by any one who
will take a skeleton map Of the States with their
boundaries and mark against New England 80
the number Of electors as given In The Tribune
Almanac Then let him note that the three
Middle States-New-Yor New-Jersey and
Pennsylvania-have 70 votes. making with New
England III in the East. Going west he will
find five States east and seven west of the Mis-
slssippi which lie in a solid block, forming the
great central region. The five east of the Mis-
sisslppi have IS votes and the two tiers of
States. including and above Missouri and Kan
sas having Gf votes. in all 152 in the central
region Next he will find the South naturally
divided east OF the Mississippi by the southern
border Of Tennessee and North Carolina, incud
ing with those States Kentucky, the Virginias
Maryland and Delaware, seven States of which
all but one have recently been captured by Re-
publicans These have 81 votes, and below
these and Missouri the remaining eight South
ern States have - votes. making 1i2 In the
South. Beyond Dakota and Kansas there re-
main six little silver States with 10 electoral
votes in all, and three Pacific States with H.
glance at these divisions of territory shows
that the central region, settled by the East and
rapidly developing similar industries and sim
liar elements of society. has power with the
East to govern the country If Of the 269
electoral votes east Wy these sections Is should
diana, the 10 of New-Jersey and others-there
would yet remain enough to control without
any outside help or II New-York and New
Jersey were lost. there would remain enough
with only IA single vote from all the other States.
The natural alliance Of the great central region
with the East would be strengthened at the
West by any Democratic leaning toward an
Eastern policy which might threaten Repub-
". Va \..tt-I ars. nrI
would be strengthened at The East by any COM
bnation Of Democrats with silver men and
Populists which should threaten Republican sue
cess in any Western State.
But the division of the South by the Protec-
tive policy IS not to be forgotten. nor the dt
vision of the Far West At least six Of the
seven border States are liable this year and at
any future time to go over to the side Of Protec-
ton and some OF them will do so almost GER
tanly The three Pacific States, feeling even
more quickly than others the threatened inva- |
sion Of productions from Japan. are rapidly |
coming to care more for Protection than for any |
other issue and are also by preponderating set |
Element and association largely Republican, in |
spite of their leaning toward their silver neigh |
bors. The six little silver States and the eight |
Southern States below the Tennessee line are |
left TO resist the Protective policy as best they |
can And yet the six little silver States pro- |
duce about quarter of all the wool grown in |
the country. and with the adjacent Territories, |
Arizona and NewMcxico. over a third Of the |
whole 1t Is scarcely TO be expected that they will
long consent to be ruled by men who sacrifice |
80 important an industry to the demand OF own |
ers of silver mines. But in any event, their |
course this year is not necessary to Republican
success.