The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-10
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 10. 1898.
THE LESSON OF THE ELECTION.

Tn all candor we fail TO see any special
significance in the election OF TUESDAY
last We observe that several Of our
northern exchanges, notably the Ne"
York Times and the Baltimore Sun, say
that the election was a singing rebuKe
TO the Mckinley administration.
we do not so regard it. That there Is
dissatisfaction in certain quarters win
The Mckinley administration and that the
Great body of Democrats and many Ike
nublicans are opposed TO this poilcy Oh
territorial expansion, that many people
are not satisfied with the manner in
wbhh the war was conducted, we have no
sort of doubt. But for an off year the
so called rebuke to the administration
seems TO us to be very gentle.
In McKinley's own State Of Ohio, the
Republicans scored great victory elect
ing as many congressman In the on
wear as they elected at the last Presl-
Dental election, while they more than
doubled the plurality Of $500 for Bush
nell for Governor last year.
There are large Republican gains IN
california and the Legislature VIII elect
a Republican senator TO succeed senator
White. Tie Republicans lost several
congressman In New York but they car
ried the State for Roosevelt VINO was
distinctively n representative Of NC
Kinley administration.
Afaiorities have been cut down in some
of the western states but the Repup-
jicans have not lost solitary state OF
any consequence, except it be the State
of Minnesota. which seems TO have beer
carried by the Fusionists. Mr.. Lind
the Fusionists' candidate for governor
was formerly a Republican member OF
Congress, IL we mistake not. one the
other hand the Republicans have carried
the silver State OF Nevada, and they have
made a wonderful revolution in Nebraska
the State of Colonel VIM. j. Bryan, The
silver question seems 10 have cut little
figure In the campaign and was In many
communities ignored altogether. The
silverites are rejoicing that they have
apparently gained control of the next
House Of Representatives. but they must
not overlook the fact that some OF the
Democratic congressman elected are SOUND
money men and as much opposed to free
silver as any Republican.
We have no idea, even though the Dem
ocrats shall have majority in the next
House. that any free silver measure can
mass that body, and as for the Senate
that body will herafter have majority
of sound money members.
In short we do not see any reason why
the business of the country should be un-
settled or disturbed by the result of the
election on Tuesday. There Is certainly
nothing TO indicate that the free silver
cause has gained any strength, nothing
TO indicate that II will triumph in the
year 1900. 1t will be twelve months be-
fore the Congress elected on Tuesday
will convene and In the meantime bust
ness Will have a rest even from the agita-
ton OF free silver In the halls Of Con-
f,ress The business situation is quito
satisfactory and we hope and expect to
see great industrial activity and general
prosperity throughout the length and
breadth of this great land. There is no
comfort whatever in the situation TO the
pessimists and TO the calamity howlers.