Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-09-18
MAINE 48,46l,
Reputation Again Repudiated

by Record-BreRISing PlurOlity---
Candidate SewRlrs own Town Gives
an Unprecedented Republican VOte---
Congressmen Elected by 10000 to
$1,000 Plurality Each.
Maine repudiated population Monday by
IS, ,461 plurality. The result was the story
of Vermont over again, but with even
greater emphasis, as in Maine free silver
sentiment had been visible, and the Green
back record of the state in the past brought
in an element of uncertainty which Yer
mont did not have. 1t will be remembered
that for some time the Greenbackers held
the balance of power in Maine, and one
year, through fusion with the Democrats,
were able to elect governor
The campaign in Maine was fought sole
ly on national issues. State affairs were
not considered by any of the public speak
ers. The Republicans conducted one of
the most vigorous campaigns the state has
ever known, and during the closing days
speeches were made at the rate of 800 per
week. The Democrats were handicapped
in that they had no speakers of national
reputation. Another disadvantage came
in having to call second state conven-
tion to reverse the attitude of the first up
on the silver question in order to harmon
ize with the Chicago convention. This
action was such apparent qualification as
to disgust all men except those who follow
their party, right or wrong
The campaign being upon national is
sues it was to be expected that Names
Democratic nominee for the vice presiden-
cy would be factor in drawing votes, but
Mr.. Sewalrs own town, Bath, gave plu-
rality of 7S2 for the Republican ticket.
This was gain of GG0 over the last state
election and the large stRepublican plural
ity in the history of Bath. Mr.. Sewalfs
own ward went Republican, 17j to 60.
In September, 1888, the Maine Demo
Gratis cast 81, 600 votes. On Monday this
number had fallen to about $1,000,
showing $4,000 missing. Some of these
voted the Republican ticket, and many
more remained at home, refusing to swal-
low the silvered bait. The Democratic
managers were boasting only few weeks
ago of the rapid growth of the free silver
sentiment in Maine.
Before the election Chairman Manley
gave 5000 to 10000 as the lowest posi-
BILE figures of Republican plurality. He
expected thousands more, but the state
was so uncertain that he would not give
out for publication larger prediction than
that of which he was absolutely sure.
The party leaders figured on about $4,000
Republican votes, basng their calculations
| on the highest previous vote in the Sep
tember of a presidential year, which was
about S3,000-the excess being doubtless
composed of Democrats who voted the
straight Republican ticket. The great
change, however, came in the falling off in
the Democratic vote. Returns indicate
that the Republicans have elected the en-
tire senate, carrying every county. There
was no Democrat in the last senate, and
there will be none in this. Returns so far
received indicate that the House of Rep
resentatves will stand 146 Republicans
and Democrats, exactly the same as the
last legislature.
All of the Republican congressman are
elected by overwhelming pluralities. Full
returns from the 1st congressional district
give Thomas B. Reed 1914 plurality ovei
Staples, the Democratic candidate, Reed:
gain is over 2O00 votes. Congressman
Nelson Dingley's plurality in the I'd dis
trct is about $4,000, and Milliken in the
Sd district has $4,000. There are more
missing towns in the 4th district than any
other, but from the figures at hand it is es
timated that Boutelles plurality will bC
almost $1,000.
The Lewiston Journal of yesterday gave
the vote from every city and town in thu
state, the aggregate being: Powers, Re
publican, 50, 749; Frank, Democrat, "a, ,2SS
Bateman, Prohibition, 3157; Ladd, Pop
ulist, 2367; Clifford, National Democrat
567. This makes the Republican pluralit!
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