The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-05

CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
SEATTLE. FRIDAY, nov. ..
rnEr SILVER aor GROWING.

FIRE SILVER spG saeNbss.
Chauncey N. Depew is az far from
being correct in his judgment upon the
harm for the Republicans 10 be on their
guard against the political ambition OF
the free silver leaders, but 1t Is mis-
take 10 suppose that the cause has at
tanned any accession OF adherents.
Bryan declares that free and unlimited
coinage al Is 20 / Is nearer now than
II was a year ago. The fact of the
matter Is that the only state in which
the silver question was square issue.
apart from all other local questions.
was kansas. and there there have been
great Republican gains. Ii may be nee
essary TO make an exception of Nebras-
ka. but We viii not do that until We
get the total vote for each ticket. 1t
may be that while there Ia a greater
plurality for the fusionists. there is
greater proportionaie decrease in the
number of ballots.
The disappointment OF the people of
the United States-of all people who be-
lieve In the capacity of Americans TO
govern themselyea--is much greater at
the result in New York than IL Is in
any of the state elections. There the
question was entirely between good
government and corrupt government.
xr.f.a 70 Tap ch
that the mass of the people are at least
selfish. and that they see a greater OPP
portunlty for self-aggrandizement I'M
der such an administration as Croker
Will afford. than they could under an
administration OF which either Low or
Tracy was the head. So far as the state
elections are concerned. the Repub-
lican administration is not on trial
During the few months 1t has been in
power there has been "a most wonder
ful advance in the prosperity of the
country. There Is nothing In this land
today in the way OF advantage COM
ing from Republican rule that il could
secure under Populist rule, and Ii Is
free from all the disadvantages which
would follow that calamity. The time
is too short for II to have been demon
stFated that the people were mistaken
Ia electing Mckinley.
The reaction is precisely what oc-
ours after any great party victory. In
1899 New York gave Cleveland
plurality OF $4,000. and the next year
gave the Republican head OF the ticket
plurality of l0l goo: although there
was falling of In the vote Of 10000.
Il was worse in 1894 when the Repub-
lican governor was elected with plur-
atty OF over 166. 600.
Ohio in 1892 gave Harrison a plural
ity Of only about 900 votes. and. In
deed. gave one electoral vote for Cleve-
land. while in 1898, it ran MeKinley's
vote up to about s.. geo FOR governor.
and in 1895 gave Bushnell over $4,000
plurality.
In Iowa. where the Republican nomi-
nee has been elected. bu. with reduced
figures. there could be but very little
interest in the result. which was so GER
tain. There was no national issue. and
people feel less interest. In Pennsyl-
vania free silver has certainly not
made any gsins. aud New Jersey.
which IN 1892 save Cleveland a plural
ity 81 $4,000. and has always been re-
gareed as a Democratic state. now
gives again Republican majority in
tie legislature of = votes on joint bal
lot. From 1872 NATL IS93. the head Of
The ticket was always a Democrat and
IL the free silver movement had made
any gains It should have swung New
Jersey hack into line.
The situation IN Colorado is n little
more complex than in some Of the other
states. lat the free silver Republicans
Joined the sJalwart Republicans against
the Popuiss,s and Democrats. and II the
Official count shows the Republican
net 70 &c elected it viii only be by
very small vote Il IS admitted that the
vote OF the stalwarg Republicans IN the
principal county IN the state vas
great surprise from IFS unexpected
strength. This S something Of
change since 1882 when Weaver was
given plurality Of about l5.0oo votes.
Waite had for his support in his fight
for governor the combined votes OF The
three parties bound by the silver tie.
aud be secured > plurality of above
-c00. Sach ehsnge in the home OF
Teller. the areh-priess Of free sllyeElsm