Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-11-04
the ELECTION IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

the ELECTION IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
The vote of last Tuesday In this state,
though light and devoid Of enthusiasm,
is far from lacking in significance.
The lack OF interest in itself is signif.
cant, and the change in the political
complexion Of the vote everywhere
witnessed is very marked, and demon
strates that political factors have been
at work which demand explanation.
What are the causes that have led to
republican victory in five out of:the
eight judicial circuits, and have
given substantial and most promising
republican gains In two Of the three
circuits. where the fusionists have
elected judges?
In the first place q decided change
for the better in the market price OF
agricultural products, and the most
hopeful outlook which now pervadee
business conditions, have put an end
to the discomfort and prejudice which
have been the chief elements ia the
populistic movement. Give q mar
actual prosperity. or the certainty Of .
reasonable amount OF it in the near
future, and he will not be u~nreasonably
envious OF some q else who is q little
more prosperous. Then no one has
any sympathy with q man, newspaper,
or party, who Is constantly airing his
grievances and ciinging with satis-
faction to calamity and adverse circum-
stances. The hopeful spirit, which
never magni6es hardship or disaster,
but 10 disposed to make the best Of the
worst adversely even, has something
inspiring about it. Here is q radical
difference between the two elements In
thas contest, and the people have again
shown their preference for hopefulness
and enterprise - opposed TO morose
gloating over calamity and disaster.
The shortages In the auditors Office
we're discovered at just the right time
to haye the greatest influence upon
this election, and the result Of these
disclosures has been regarded with
great apprehension by Ill republicans.
The investigation has shown that the
trouble was due to careless and loose
methods Of Office work rather than to
dishonesty or intentional fraud. The
republican press with great uninimity
has condemned such carelessness, and
the parties implicated have made ev-
cry effort in their power TO remedy the
evil they we're responsible for. In
spite OF this frank and honorable action,
and in spite Of the fact that the popu-
list examiner himself ex0nerated the
parties implicated from any intention.
Vi dishonesty, the populist press haa
with few exceptions tried to manu-.
f~scture great political capital out o.
the unfortunate affair. This has been
60 unfair and 90 u~ncharitable that /,
has reacted with terrible force upon
Its perpetrators. To stamp on y maj
when he 10 down and making every
effort 10 rise again, always creates
sympathy, and In this ase has been nc
exception. The partizan and OK.
travagant conduct Of the populist press
In this matter has made many republi'
can votes. The people have been able
to rightly estimate the situation IL
spite Of the scare lines and frantic de,
~nunciation Of the sinker press, and the
conldence and charity indicated b.
Tuesdays vote will not be abused 0,
misapplied.
Over-confdence In their hold on pub