The Monitor-register., 1897-11-05
The Elections.

Repu blican BOOSTERS generally are not
growing much over the re suits of Tues
day elections, for the reason that the
chief gains made are counted in the
Democratic column, and yet this is only
what might have been expected, and has
been the history of parties in this country
from its foundation. There is always a
reaction after a Presidential election. 1t
was 30 following Cleveland's first cleo
tion, as we'll as President H%arrison's.
And as then, the distribution of patron
age, always an element Of weakness,
aroused party ~dissensions, cooled party
loyalty, producing the apathy that has
resulted in the usual disasters to the
party in power in what is known as off
years, that is when no national or State
issues are paramount. This year ma
tional issues cut very little figure in the
contests, they turned mostly on State or
local contests. Pennsylvania, Massa-
chusetts and Iowa are about the only
States to maintain their Republican
allegiance, while Democratic gains are
reported everywhere.
In New Jersey the Republicans have
suffered seriously, a not unexpected
result, in view of the factional fights in
several counties. In consequence the
Democrats elected five of the six Sena-
tors, greatly strengthening them for the
contest next year, when a Governor is to
be elected, as we'll as a United States
Senator. The Republicans, however,
retain control of both branches of the
Legislature, but the Democratic repre-
sentstion has been increased in the Senate
from three to seven, and in the House
from four to twenty-six. The most
deplorable reverses were in Burlington,
Passaic and Middlesex counties. South
Jersey, as usual, maintains its allegiance
to Republican principles, Camden county
rolling up a large maj rity for the
Republican ticket, and County Clerk
Ridgway. in Gloucester, against whom
a special fight vas made, was re elected
by some HOO majority. In Cumberland
the entire Republican ticket was elected,
as also in Cape May, where it was feared
the serious factional fight would endanger
its success.
In New York City Tammany won the
majority fight by a pluality OF SO, 600, a
result made possible by the death of
Henry George and the rule or ruin policy
of Senator Platt. The State was also
carried by the Democrats, though the
Legislature is Republican, but it is more
than likely that Boss Platt has lost his
grip upon it.
Ohio went Republican, though by a
greatly reduced majority. The Repub-
lioan State ticket is elected from top to
bottom and the Legislature will be safely
Republican in both branches, ~ensuring
the reelection of Mark A. Hanna to the
| United States Senate.
Maryland also seems to have gone Re-
publican by a tight squeeze. though
there is some doubt about it. The city
of Baltimore elected a Republican
Mayor by from six to eight Thousand
| plurality, but the rural sections of the
State show large Democratic gains.
Both parties claim the Legislature, but
it looks as if the Republicans would
come out on top. If so Senator German
will be retired to private life and his
place in the United States Senate will be
filled by a Republican.
Iowa went solidly Republican as usual,
though the majority is probably cut
down to something like 20. 600 owing to
the lightness of the vote.
Pennsylvania stands firm with a Re
publican majority of something like
140, 000, and M~assachetts does likewise
by about 10000. Notwithstanding a
remarkably light vote in both States.
Kentucky has temporarily returned to
her Democratic idols and Virginia
remains strongly Democratic. The
silver men have also probably carried
Nebraska by a close margin. South
Dakota has returned to the Republican
column by an overwhelming majority.