Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-06-13
The 1899 Stale Elections.

Tue tOSJ Statt CieCtUHS.
The recent Republican state conven-
ton in Ohio, which placed in the field
one of the strongest tickets ever nomi-
mated in the state, marks the opening
of a campaign the results of which are
invested with more than ordinary
political Importance, because the cleo
tion closely precedes the national cam
paign. For the same reason especial
interest attaches to other state cleo
tions that take place this fall, although
Ohio will be the focal point of political
interest because it is the Presidents
state, because il has more politics to
the square acre than most other COM
monwealths to the square mile, and al
so because it has a fall state ticket to
elect. including governor and six other
state officials.
states this fall, six of which-Ohio,
Maryland, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ken
lucky and Mississippi-will elect gov
ernors and other state officers. Penn
sylvania will elect a state treasurer
and judges of the superior and supreme
courts, while Nebraska will also elect
justice Of the supreme bench. New
York. New Jersey, Virginia and Missis-
sippi will elect state Legislatures.
Next to Ohio public interest will CEN
ter most largely in the contest in New
York by reason of its possible indica-
ton Of the drift Of the state in the
presidential election. With Roosevelt
in the executive chair at Albany. with
a radical reform in taxation in the
shape Of the Roosevelt Ford franchise
law placed on the statute books by
Legislature, and with Tam
many in power on New York city the
contest in the Empire state presents
complications and possibil- |
tiles that will defy the shrewdest
prognosticators.
In Maryland the gubernatorial con-
test promises to be the warmest one in
the history of the state. The financial
issue and the good record and popu-
larity Of Governor Lowndes will cut an
important figure in the fight. The last
elections. as well as the
presidential election Of 1896, demon
strated that Maryland is a sound
money state. and if the Democrats
name a candidate to oppose Governor
Lowndes and place him on a silver
platform there can be little doubt
about the verdict of the people Of
Maryland The result Of the Maryland
election is apt to have an important in
nuence upon the national campaign in
the Southern states next year.
In Iowa, although a governor is to be
elected, the chief interest centers in the
senatorial campaign. Iowa not only
has a solid Republican delegation in
Congress, but is absolutely free from
party factional dissensions Such
marked party unity does not often pre-
vail in the dominant party in a COM
Iowa will show its politi-
cal wisdom as we'll as its high appre-
citation Of character and clean public
service by nominating and re-electing
Governor Shaw. 1t will also elect a
Legislature, which will
meet next January and will doubtless
re-elect United States Senator John H.
Gear.
In Massachusetts it will be another
contest between a Republican ticket
headed this year, by Mr.. Crane,
and a ticket named by the
George Fred Williams machine.
in which the Bay state will
swing into line as usual for the sound
money ticket. 1t is going to be a great
year all along the line for Republican,
sm, and 1900 will be a greater one.