The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-07
RIVER AT 8 A. M.
Danger Heieht of
1T BEGINS TO WORK.

There is no missing the significance
Of the spring election returns that
have come in from all parts Of the
country. While these local contests
are never decisive in any one case as
to party strength, because minor and
personal considerations frequently pre-
vail, yet the general drift Of them Is
an accurate index Of party relations.
You do not find the vote in city. vii
lage, county or state showing a uniform
and heavy gain for one party and loss
for the other throughout a multitude
OF these minor elections unless the
movement Of public thought and feel
Ing is that way. We have had enough
experience right here in municipal
elections to show that even in an ex-
citing contest, where there are indie
pendent candidates running and where
the feeling in favor of cutting across
party lines is strong and general. about
20 per cent Of those who go to the
polis still vote on party grounds If
they are prepared in general to go
with the Democrats, they vote the
Democratic ticket; and, If thav have
made up their minds that they want
the Republicans in power at Wash
ington, they will vote for the Repub-
lican local nominees.
No change so marked as that which
appears in the local election recordz
Oh the present season can be held in
significant. The revulsion against the
Republican party has already set in
ana 1t is growing stronger and strong
er every day. There are three reasons
at least Which can be assigned for this
transfer OF allegiance Each of them
rests upon a mistake or a breach Of
Ialth of the party that is now so
drunken with power that It fears no+
10 run into any excuses.
Inc nrst is its folly in setting I'M
the prosperity test" 1t prepsred III.
way for its own discontinue when #
made the last campaign on the iss,a
that the election of Mr. Mckinley
and Republican congress womb in
IaIlibly set all the UNEMPLOYED a xro,,l-
put an end to business failures and
create universal boom. The cord,
tions were such that this con1d No.
nave happened IN any event, and tha
laiiure Of the prophecy has DESTROYED
the childlike faith with which tbon-
sands of voters hailed the advanoa
agent of prosperity" who bilIad ~
boards and does not bring on bis .,,.-.
A second reason is because the Re-
publican party has thus far flatIv 20
FUSED to redeem the pledges that -
gave to the people to reform orr 6,,o,,
cial system. The money Question NO.
the commanding issue of the last cam
palgn. More than enough voters n
turn the scale went to the RenuhIioor
slde because 1t was supposed to Ia
pledged to sound money. Not ono
move mas that party made in the
right direction, nor is there the least
reason to hope that it will retire tho
greenbacks, provide a sufficient and
safe banking currency, or do anv "a
GA1~xy
to put our finances in order.
Inc third and greatest reason is tha
spasm OF insanity that has swept over
the party in dealing with the tariff
One has but to go out and converse
with the average Republican any,
Where' not personally interested in rol-
itics, to learn how deep is the dis
appointment and disgust with the villa
Dingley bill. That bill, even from the
protection point of view. is without
excuse or reason. 1t has put haclx oil
the biggest and worst duties and addea
to them. When the country revoIta7
against the Mckinley bill in the fall
OF 1890 and again in 1892, it was sup
posed that the lesson was sufficiently
severe to prevent a repetition of tina.
.QolicY- yAt thu McKinIav hill was mild