The Forrest City times., 1898-04-29
LESSONS OF THE ELECTIONS.
Democratic Victories Portend =
Great Triumph Next
November.

preSage success for the democratic par
ty in the congressional and state elec-
tions next fall. The most notable dem
ocratic victories took place in Presi-
dent McKinley's own state. Three
fourths of the cities and towns of Ohio
in which elections were held changed
from the republican TO the democratic
column, with not IA single change in
the other way. Fusion between the
allied forces prevailed all over the
Buckeye state.
In the grand old state of Michigan.
the birthplace of financial reform, the
democrats made gain of 40 per cent.
over the splendid record made year
ago. Not a single important town or
city in the state is now under republic
an rule. In Grand Rapids, the second
city of the state, the republicans were
routed, horse, foot and artillery" not
even electing a single candidate. The
republican party leaders of the state
are aghast at the democratic gains.
They actually cannot see the cause for
it all. Next fall Michigan will be en-
tirely redeemed from republican mis-
rule. All the democrats need to do is
to readopt the Chicago platform and
nominate men known to be in sympathy
with il.
In Illinois the victory, excepting Chi
cago, was generally as pronounced as
in other states. Everywhere gains were
made over last years record, and many
towns and cities have gone democratic
for the first time in their history. In
Chicago there was q loss, / am grieved
to say, as compared with last year, but
the loss was not great enough to give
the city over to republican rule. In
1897 the democrats carried Chicago by
$4,000 plurality, electing mayor and %
cut of "a aldermen. This year the plu-
sality is reduced to 10000, and only 10
of the "a were elected as democratic
aldermen. The council is still demo-
cratic by safe majority. This year the
democrats did not have the leadership
of ex-Gov. Altgeld, who for the past six
months has been in the south endeavor-
ing to recuperate his health. He re-
turned on the eve of election to find
party affairs in bad shape. From now
on, however, he will take hand in af-
fairs. And this is all that the demo-
Gratis of Chicago want to know; they
will follow no other leadership. Mr..
Altgeldis very much improved in health
and will remain in the harness until
there is not vestige of goldbugism in
Illinois.
In Iowa several important victories
for democracy are recorded. Twelve
towns will have democratic mayors for
the first time.
The elections so far held in Indiana
are the most encouraging of all. In
some towns the republicans did not
cast single vote. Look out for In
diana next fall. With the fusion idea
successfully carried out not single
republican congressman can be elected.
II is safe to predict that the democrats
will also have an overwhelming ma jor-
ity in the Legislature. The democratic
executive committee has been in the
harness for some time, and splendid
work is being done in the way of car
rying out the fusion plan.
In Wisconsin the democrats swept
nearly everything in sight, notwith-
standing the fact that "gold democrats
and middle of the road populists''
Joined hands against them. The Mil
waukee Journal ("gold democracy bit
terly opposed Judge Rose for mayor of
Milwaukee, but he was elected by a
majority OF over 5000 and a plurality
OF nearly 10000. The victory of Judge
n mr. f,I Il
shows that the opposition of the "gold
democrats" and middle of the road
populists" and their organs is very
desirable condition in any campaign in
which true democracy seeks the suf-
frages of true democrats.
The next campaign of Importance
will be the June elections in Oregon.
State officers, congressman and legis-
lature will be chosen. Complete fusion
has been arranged in every district, and
the republicans have given up the
struggle in advance. The allied forces
will not lessen the force of their cam
paign on this account, however. They
will go right ahead until election night.
when, it IS safe to predict, there win
not be a republican official elected to
office, national. state or local. in Ore
gon. The fusion plan in operation is
very gratifying to Chairman Jones. OF
the democratic national committee.
During the days of Clevelandism there
were no democrats in Oregon. In 1898
there viii be hardly anything but Chi
cago platform democrats.
| am in receipt of letter from L. A.
Rosing, secretary of the democratic
state committee of Minnesota, in which
he expresses great hope for success in
November. Brother Rosing is one of
the most earnest workers in the party.
Right after the repulse of '96 he got
down to business and the result is az
almost impregnable organization III
every county. Such work counts, and /
now predict that Minnesota, too. will
swing into the democratic column in
November.
With Ohio. Michigan, Wisconsin. Illi-
nois. Indiana ard Minnesota in line for