Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-09
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 9. 1899.
THE ELECTIONS.

Returns Of Tuesdays legislative cleo
zion in Virginia received yesterday con-
drm the first reports of an overwhelming
Democratic victory. The Independents
and Republicans who were elected will
not together exceed half a score.
McLean's defeat in Ohio is fairly Offset
by Smiths victory in Maryland. We were
never very hopeful that our party could
capture the Buckeye State, knowing as
we did its political history for the past
ten years, and not being unmindful that
MIR. Hanna had campaign money 10
burn" And then, too the State is proud
Of President Mckinley, and the argument
was used with good effect that if the Re-
publican State ticket were defeated il
would be injurious 10 his secOnd-term
prospects. AS for Jones, the Independ-
ent candidate. on "the Golden Rule"
platform. it seems that his candidacy did
the Democrats very little, If any. good,
Notwithstanding the fact that. PERSONAL
ly, he preferred Mclean to Nash.
Both sides are still claiming Kentucky,
the Republicans rather more confidently
than the Democrats. However, Joe Black
burn stated yesterday, in a telegram to
Mr.. Bryan, that the Goebel ticket would
win. but some other prominent Demo-
Gratis are not so confident as he is. Being
the chairman Of our party in Kentucky,
and knowing the state as well as any
man living Mr.. Blackburn ought TO be
well qualified 10 form a correct judgment
as 10 what the result will be. 1t may be,
however that his view is another case Of
the wishs being father to the thought.
In the light Of recent events it seems a
great misfortune that Mr.. Goebel insisted
upon forcing himself upon the party as
its gubernatorial nominee If he had got
ten out the way and allowed a popular
man to be put up. the Democrats might
have carried the State by 5000 majority.
Now his election, and perhaps Black
burns chances for the United States Sen
ate. are in doubt, TO say the least.
1t is a question whether the visit of
Mr. Bryan TO Kentucky did Goebel good
or harm. but positive answer it is inn
lOSSlDlc 10 ulu.
The most formidable opposition that
Goebel had TO contend with was that Of
the louisville and Nashville railroad sys-
TEN. Its influence in Kentucky politics
Is great, and no attempt was made 10
conceal the fact that it was hostile to
Goebel For his part Goebel said very
hard things about that and other railroad
companies. lie was pursuing that line OF
discussion when he aroused the ire OF
General Basil w. Duke. causing that
veteran Of the civil war" to make a re-
ply. in which he characterized Goebel as
liar scoundrel, and assassin.
Altogether, our Kentucky brethren have
had some very impressive political les
sons Of late, and It is to be hoped they
will profit by them. When they come e
nominate a Governor next time It would
be wise for them TO defer less 10 so-calle'
leaders. or bosses. and moro to populal
opinion I'm their party.
Nebraska steadfastly stood by her fa
vorite son on Tuesday, and we canno
see that his position in the presidential
race is changed from what ii was befor
the elections We had no right 70 coun
upon carrying Ohio. and Il Kentucky ha
been lost it has been lost not upon ma
tional issues. but because of revol
against Goebelsm.