New-York tribune., 1897-11-04
GENERAL RESULTS.

The elections this year are not satisfactory
to Republicans. Without dwelling upon de-
tails. which present some bright and encOur-
aging features II may be said that Republican
majorlties of a year ago have been reduced or
extinguished in most Of the States voting. II IS
not an Unprecedented phenomenon. For many
years the first State elections after great Pres
idential victory have usually resulted In more
or less reaction, and this year there We're some
forces operating to make the adverse movement
rather greater than usual The normal Repub-
lcan strength was swelled materially In many
States last year by the uprising Of business men
and loyal citizens against financial dishonesty
and threatened anarchy, and the return OF such
voters TO their accustomed party associations, as
the danger appeared to have passed, accounts
for a considerable decrease in majorites In
some localities. In concentrating all possible
forces last year for the rescue OF the country
the Republicans necessarily pushed aside many
local difficulties and controversies, which were
certain TO return as soon as they could have
attention without endangerng control Of the
Nation. The recurrence OF these IN Ohio and
some other States was quite enough to cause a
decrease Of majorlties.
The most common suggestion OF politicians IS
that no distribution Of offices by n new admin
istration can satisfy more than n fraction Of
the aspirants, leaving many disappointed and
soured. little too much importance Is gem
orally attached to this reactionary influence, II
Is probable, because most Of those who are can
dldates for places are and continue to be sin
cere and earnest Republicans. Not many are
capable of being turned into malignant enemies
of Republican principles by failure to get col
lectorshp or other office But disappointment
undoubtedly affects the activity and zeal Of
many, and just at the time when, the average
voter being inclined to Indifference, more than
usual depends upon the efforts Of the workers.
After every general distribution OF offices there
may be about quarter Of a million disappOint-
ed workers, and after every great National vic
tory many Of the voters seem to think that
everything will 90 well without any more voting
for four years or so.
There is also a danger that the effect Of such
Indifference and division in "off years. may
prove greater afterward than any anticipate.
Doubtless some effect Is produced by the prompt
outcry Of the opposition that the election has
condemned everything for which Republicans
have contended, and rebuked them for declining
to administer government according to the
wishes Of their foes. There is voclfcrous out
cry just now that the Dlngley tariff is con-
demned by the people, particularly in this city,
where the very journals which now set up that
pretence have been Zealously advocating de-
clson Of municipal apart from National qucs-
tons. Dishonest Interpretation does not go far,
since every voter knows for himself whether
lie was thinking about National affairs when he
voted on Tuesday. Votes against the Raines
law, against n police which has tried to sup
press vice, against the entire reform which dis
turbed corruption comforting to many power
ful interests, can be counted In condemnation
of Republican National policy by those who
wish to cheat themselves.
The main fact Is that. except in the few States
which have United States Senators to elect soon,
the voting this year did nothing TO shape the
next Congress. Congressman will not be elect
ed until next year, and then National issues
will indeed test the opinion Of voters. 1t Is safe
TO say that, with continuing prosperity, Repub-
lican principles will again command majOrtics
in many Congressional districts in which on al
together different questions the majority this
year has been adverse. 1t must be taken for
granted that the voters are not all idiots, and
do not cast votes about the tariff question when
there are no Congressman to elect and other in
terests engross attention 1t Is to be observed
that Notwithstanding factonal contests In New
Jersey, Maryland and Ohio, the Republicans
appear to have secured majorities on joint
ballot In each Of the Legislatures. That they
have also recovered South Dakota, which gave
a fusion majority last year, and made gains in
Nebraska and Kansas over the free-silver vote
Of year ago, indicates that advancing pros
perity has already turned the scale in the West,
and thus gives promise Of a considerable gain