Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-11
'GRIFFITH'S ELECTION
Why the Democrats Considered It of Much
Importance.
Senator Fairbanks Says 1t Was q
ROck-Ribbed District - His
Prosperity Prediction.

The result of the election in Indiana of a
successor to the late Representative Hol-
man has brought feeling of relief to
democrats, and they are inclined to make
much of the election of Griffith 70 Con-
gress. The significance of this is not that
the election is a victory of consequence,
but that the democratic leaders feared that
they might suffer a reverse there which
VIC uld seriously depress democrats in differ
ent sections of the country. Though the
district is strongly democratic and the re-
publicans had no reason to expect that un-
der ordinary circumstances they could elect
their candidate, the democrats were appre-
hensive. They calculated that should they
lose this election several months after the
new administration entered into power. 1t
would be accepted as indicating popular
approval of republican policies, and would
surely foreshadow defeat in Maryland and
Ohio. For this reason more Importance
was attached to the election than was its
due. The democrats calculated that If they
failed to elect successor to Mr.. Holman
Maryland and Ohio it would indisputably
fcreshadow failure in the future and dis
courage all hope of their being able to
elect the next House of Representatives..
What Senator Fairbanks Says.
Senator Fairbanks of Indiana arrived in
Washington today. In conversation with
Star reporter he said this morning: THE
success of the democrats in the old Holman
district is not a surprise nor a disappoint-
ment to the republicans. This is a rock
ribbed democratic district, and for US to
have carried it would have indicated an
overwhelming popular sentiment in our ia
vor, much greater than we had any war
rant to hope for this early in the admins
tration. The only chance of our success
N,,, t. -, -
lican sentiment beyond reasonable expecta-
tion. 1t is no significant victory for the
democrats Simply they haven't lost dis
trict which belongs to them.
Prosperity Coming.
Speaking of the general condition Of the
country, Senator Fairbanks said that the
outlook from all quarters was extremely
satisfactory. Prosperity" he said, ZAP
pears to be coming on schedule time. There
is every indication that we shall not be dis
appointed in our expectation, and that the
benefcent effect of the restoration of the
republican party to power and the appiica-
ton of republican policies is being felt
earlier than could ordinarily be expected.
Usually, an administration is weakest after
few months in power, but Mr.. Mckinley
appears to be stronger and his admlniStra-
ton more popular now than it was imme
diately after his inauguration. Confidence
is restored, and the people are beginning
to feel that they may lift their heads and
look forward with hope and a feeling of
contentment. Already, the effect of the
tariff legislation is being felt. The outlook
for the republicans is bright. 1 hear a
good deal from Ohio, and the Indications
are that we shall be successful there and
that Mr.. Hanna's election to the Senate Is
assured beyond doubt The sunlight of
prosperity is lifting the free silver miasma
like mist from the earth. I think that we
shall be successful in all the political con-
tests this fall where we have the least rea-
son to hope for success. and that where re-
publicans have been strong heretofore We
shall be stronger than ever