New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-08
THE OREGON ELECTION.

In political circles at least the result OF the
state election In Oregon has for the moment
wel.nigh put even the war out OF mind, so Keen
has been the interest In n straight fight between
the sound-money and free-silver forces or
State where the former achieved not wholly
satisfactory victory two years ago This year
the triumph Is complete and remarkable early
returns indicate the election Of Republican
Governor by a majority OF nearly 10000 or
both Republican candidates for Congress with
a large margin to the good in each case and OF
q Legislature overwhelmingly Republican IN
both branches. which will All the vacant seat
IN the United States Senate and add much
needed vote TO the sound-money element IN that
body. This great victory was not due to acct
dental influences or 20 any compromise OF prin-
ciples. A virtually solid fusion Of all the free
silver cont,neents of the State was confronted
and overthrow after a vigorous, straghtfor-
wacd campaign on an outspoken gold platform.
The Republican party offered no inducements
whatsoever to voters unsound In the ralth. Inc
people thoroughly understood the issue. and
knew precisely what their ballots meant. Ihey
had made up their minds on one side or the
other. went to the polls 10 express their de-
clsion. and recorded verdict from which there
Is no escape. Two years ago they gave Nc
Kinley a plurality of 2,040. Yesterday they
gave the head of the Republican State ticket
a majority almost five times as large-a ma
jority proportionatey equivalent TO one or l4o-
600 in the State of New-York
A spring election has not often furnished
more suggestive and gratifying Indication OF
public sentiment. II so many thousands OF
people In Oregon. taught by events which have
not been more convincing there than elsewhere
have learned so much that they needed 10
know, and so many other thousands have been
confirmed In opinions which they formerly held
with hesitation, II Is reasonable TO believe that
the same process has been going on everywhere
during the last two years. and will be not less
impressively revealed In November. The cleo
tion Of Republican House will from this time
on be confidently expected, and there Is more
than a faint prospect that the Senate VIII con-
tain stable sound-money majority IN the next
Congress. The result in Oregon Will doubtless
serve Just at this moment to fort'fy the oppos-
ton to the coinage provision which the Senate
has unhappily attached 70 the War Revenue
bill, and perhaps tend TO weaken the tenacity
of its supporters. Certainly those members or
Congress who refuse TO admit that II IS at least
q serious setback to Organism will Justify the
conclusion that they are blind or wish to
seem 80.
For reasons not exclusively relating to the
financial question this notable victory VIII be
grateful to the President and TO those who
share with him the chief responsibility for the
management of public affairs at this momentous
period There was one chief issue IN Oregon
and 1t was clearly drawn. But its decisive set
Element IS for that very reason an expressive
tribute to an Administration which has been
faithful 10 It's pledges, under which the prn-
cpes which 1t was chosen TO exemplfy have
been indicated. and which, suddenly confront
ed with an unexpected task Of supreme impor-
lance, now truly represents in the eyes OF the
world the majestic spirit and purpose Of
united people.