The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-10-07
ACTIVE CAMPAIGNS.
THE POLITICAL FIGHTS IN vARl-
Gus STATES THIS FALL.

THE POLITICAL FI0h ! > IN SNut-
Gus STATES THIS FALL.
Prospects of Republican Success Are
Good, Providing Leaders Do Not
R.come Oyer-Confident-All Events
Tend to Republican Victory.
f. +. PARSONS, Special Correspondent
Washington, D. C.-There is an
awakening this month in the political
campaigns in the various states and an
increased interest in prospective re.
suits.
In Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland,
New York, New Jersey and Massa
chusetts there are interesting elections,
important in one. way or another IN
their relation to national politics. In
Ohio senator is to be elected by the
legislature to be chosen; in Iowa there
is to be chosen portion of the legisla-
ture which will two years hence elect
successor to Senator Gear; in New Jer.
sew a part of the legislature which
elects successor to Senator Smith is
to be chosen; in New York the politi.
cal complexion of Greater New York
City for an indefinite term is to be de-
termined; in Maryland legislature
which is to select a successor to Senator
German will be elected, while in Ne.
braska and Kentucky the currency issue
has drawn the line sharply between the
fat heresy and the sound money men,
of forYnor marty
Naturally, information from all
these states drifts to Washington.
Members of congress and politicians
come and go and from them is had the
best information on the situation as to
their own states, and a consensus OF
the general situation may thus be
formed.
That the outlook for republican sue
css is good everywhere goes without say
ing. That there is still danger to the
party, however, in every state, is
equally true.
Danger in every state? Yes. Dan
ger in Ohio. in rock-ribbed Iowa, in
prosperity blessed Nebraska, in Ken
lucky, Maryland, New York-every-
where.
Why? Because there is too much
confidence. Because the republicans
are throwing up their hats and saying,
"We've got it all our own way this
time, boys" Because there is danger
that the belief that the farmers and
the workingmen are employed and
happy is going to lead too many repub-
licans to neglect their duty. That the
drift is all in the direction of republic
canism is true That the people see
that Bryan and his silver party made a
deliberate effort to deceive them last
year is undoubtedly the fact. But the
democrats are not asleep-they are ac-
tive, vigilant and they are conducting
a still hunt for votes that will surprise
the republican leaders unless they are
awake and plan to arouse every man
and get him enthusiastically into the
fight. The tide is all running in the
right direction, but this very fact is
liable to lead to neglect on the part Of
some republicans and to discussions in
the party ranks elsewhere. And in
this there is danger.
From Ohio comes word that the dem
ocrats are trying to run away from
their platform, made only two months
ago. This is not surprising, for silver
has fallen 15 per cent in value even in
that short time. On July 10th one
ounce of silver was worth in New York
6O.6 cents. Now it is worth only so
cents and still falling. No wonder that
they are ashamed of their platform and
want to get away from it when in two
months after its enunciation the metal
which it advocates as money falls Is
per cent in value. That the republi-
cans of the state will not let them get
away from it goes without saying-if
they are wise. That they will sweep
the state now that they have the enemy
on the run also goes without ssying-if
they are not too confident.
The factional fights in the republican
ranks in Maryland being now over
there is good reason to hope that the
party will fall into line and with the
aid Of the gold democrats and anti-Gor-
man men win the fight for the legisla-
ture. It is now generally conceded in
MARYLAND that German, say whatever
he will, would vote with the silver men
in the senate. This being the case the
sound money democrats in the state are
inclined to again cooperate with the
republicans, as are also the strong ele-
ment which can only be described by
the term "anti-Gorman."
While the fight in New York relates
to the mayoralty, it is for first mayor
of the second largest city in the world,
and to determine whether or not Tam
many shall control Greater New York.
And if that splendidly managed politi-
cal party does get control of that great
organization, it greatly endangers re-
publican prospects in the entire state,
indefinitely. So it is probable that the
republican party in New York City
will decide to support Seth Low, NOM
mated by the Citizens organization.
For unless all those opposed to Tam
many and free silver combine on one
man, they cannot win. By refusing to
so unite they give Greater New York
and probably New York state over to
the Tammany-silver democracy indefin-
itely.
A prize Of about $3.50, the competi-
ton for which is open to all nationali-
ties, has been offered by the Realo
Institute Lombardo Italy, for expert
ments calculating the Maxwell electro
magnetic theory"