Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-03
The Contest in New York.

general election of 1898. A few states.
Maine among them, have already
| elected their state officials and repre-
sentatives to Congress, but in the rest
| the election will occur, November 8
The great Importance of the election
lies in the question oftthe control Of
the next House, and the election Of
new senators by the Legislatures, but
in most states the matter of state OFF,
GERS and various local issues add zesr
| and diversity to the campaign. OF all
the states the most interest from out
side centers is New York, where a
vigorous campaign will soon be under
way as the result of last weeks
nominating conventions. Colonel Theo-
| dore Roosevelt. strong in his civil and
| military records, standing upon a
sound party platform, is backed en-
Enthusiastically and loyalty by the united
Republicans of the state. Opposed 20
him is Judge Augustus Van Wyck, a
| brother to Greater New York's iliput
| mayor. who was finally put in the
field at Crocker's orders, and who had
candidate before the convention
opened. He is upon platform which
lodges the great issues and behind him
is a split party. Surely Republican
prospects look bright in New York, and
the gallant Rough Rider is a grand
leader to point the way to victory
The Importance of the vote of New
York in a national contest cannot be
overestimated, and as the election OF
1898 is accepted as pointing the way to
popular sentiment in the Presidential
election of 1900, it is interesting to note
the conditions now existing in the En-
pire State. By an overwhelming ma
jority the Republican convention pro-
claimed Theodore Roosevelt it's choice
for governor. The friends of Governor
Black failed in their effort to secure
for him a denomination, but they ac-
cepted the result philosophically and
will give their cordial support to the
ticket The Citizens party had indi-
Gated their intention to accord MIR.
Roosevelt an independent nomination.
but he objected to such nomination
unless his colleagues on the Republican
ticket We're similarly honored. Mr..
Roosevelt has invariably stood by the
party organization, notwithstanding
his efforts for reform, and displayed
political sagacity in declining to place
himself in position which might give
offence to the organization. AS the in
dependents would have preferred to
endorse him, they cannot very we'll
make a vigorous contest against him
with any other candidate.
Practically the Republicans are har-
monious as to their ticket and plat
form. They have blunted the arrows
of the opposition as far as any state
issues are concerned, by presenting
candidate for governor of whose
honesty, courage and public spirit
there can be no question. TheMplat-
form ,commends the ADMINISTRATORS Vt
President Mckinley. and congratulates
the country upon the triumph of Ameri
can arms; expresses confidence that
the President will conclude peace upon
terms that will satisfy the conscience,
the judgment and the high purpose of
the nation; declares that the Antilles
and the Philippines cannot be returned
to Spain; ratifies the annexation Of
Hawaii. renews allegiance to the St.
Louis platform, and denounces the
PopuMstic declarations made by the
Democrats at Chicago; urges that the
election of a Republican Legisla ture
and Republican members of Congress
will mean that New York shall stand
for the maintenance of the gold STAN
dard and for such revision of the cur
rency laws as shall guarantee the
parity Of Federal obligations with
gold: favors the upbuilding of the
American merchant marine, and en-
dorses the record of the state admins
tration and of the Legislature.
| While the New York Republicans are
| thus united the Democrats are at sea.
| Their convention had multiplicity of
candidates, but there was no clear call
| for any Individual. The party is. IN
bad shape on the financial question,
and the refusal of the convention to
endorse the Chicago platform and
Organism may result in an independent
ticket by the silverites. The party
evades national issues, but this will
not bring it back the popular conf
dence it lost by surrendering to Pop
ulism in 1896. Any attack it can make
on the Republican candidates is bound
to prove a boomerang. The indica-
tons are that Colonel Roosevelt and
unwavering Republicanism will have
an overwhelming victory in New York,
this fall.