The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-18


the situation very differently and
much more to their own advantages.
They do not beleieve that every Re-
publican will place protection para
mount to silver; or that the disaffec-
ton in the Democratic franks is any
thing like so great as the Republicans
would wish to make it appear; fur
thermore, they assert that fusion is
SO strong that they expect to poll for
the Bryan electors-ewho are all for
Bryan, no matter whom they may de-
eide to vote for for Vice-President-
almost the total of the vote hitherto
cast by the two parties separately.
This would be an overwhelming defeat
for Mckinley.
A conservative view of all the various
elements entering into the campaign
on the Pacific would lead to the con-
clusion that the contest will be reason
ably close. with the majority in each
case on Mr.. Bryan's side. Give the
Republicans everything that they claim
except only that fusion is failure, and
they cannot possibly win. And nothing
in either of the three States bears out
the statement that fusion is loose
iointed, and that Populists who were
Republicans once will so vote again in
the coming month. Bryan suits the
Pacific coast Populists, and they do
not care a California fig whether Tom
Watson gets his feet into the United
States Senate chamber of continues to
write windy editorials down in Geor-
gia.
LEGISLATION / CALIFORNIA.
California has many local issues,
,ssN
campaigns, notably, the general hos
tility of the people of the State to the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company
and its millionaire president, G. p.
Huntington The latter's warm advo-
cacy of Mckinley viii not help the Re
publican ticket particularly, On the
other hand, it seems likely that a Re
publican State Legislature viii be
chosen for the purpose of returning
George G. Perkins 10 the United States
Senate.
Oregon holds its State elections in
June, and nothing remains 10 influence
the vote on Presidential electors save
national principles. A complete fusion
between Democrats and Populists was
formed, sanctioned by the State COM
mittees of each party. and to strength
en- it. the original Democratic and Pop
uliSt electoral tickets named by the re-
spective State conventions were taken
down and an entire new fusion cleo
toral ticket substituted, consisting of
two Populists, one Democrat and one
Silver Republican. Each elector is a
man of political strength, and outside
of Republican papers, no word of fault
has been found with the new ticket,
Senator Mitchell has made an active
campaign for the Republican ticket,
but as he has been one of the most
radical free silver men in the Senate,
his present speeches seem to be stul-
LITIGATION of his record. However, the
next Oregon Legislature, which meets
in January, is strongly Republican.
Senator Mitchell has placed himself
squarely with is party and will be re-
elected, probably without opposition,
for another six years.
ISSUES IN WASHINGTON STATE.
Washington has more local issues
mixed up with the national than either
of the other States. Fusion, however,
is strongest here. Tt was brought
about not by State committees, but
by three conventions, with delegates
elected directly from the people, meet
ing in the same city on the same day
Democrats, Populists and free silver
Republicans tremendously agreed to
fair division of the State offices and
two Congressman. The Populists got
the Governor and the best of the State
offices, while the Democrats and free
Silver 1aAn,ilalicans each took a Con-
gresham. If every Democrat and eY-
cry Populist of two years ago vote the
fusion ticket, the Republicans will be
beaten by $4,000 ballots, Taking out
Ali the gold standard Democrats and
the dissatisfied Populists that can be
counted up, there will still be goodly
majority for the Bryan ticket. The
Republican State leaders do not really
hope to carry the State for Mckinley.
They are bending their energies to the
reelection of the two Congressman.
Doolittle and Hyde, who are free silver
men, and whose popularity on account
Of past services is expected to pull them
through. Notwithstanding the platform
on which they stand. A Republican
State Legislature is also ardently de-
sired. for Senator is TO be elected in
january to succeed Squire. The latter
left the Republicans to Become a fu-
sonist. and hopes for fusion Legisla-
ture, which would probably result in
his being returned to the Senate.
Special to the Washington Post.
JACK AND JILL.