Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-07
Now York Evening Post Special.


Democrats, on the issue of opposition
to the expansion policy Of the Nc
Kinley administration, in the special
election yesterday in the Eighth Con-
grossional District, to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Representative
Bland. The Republicans had, from
the opening of the campaign, been full
of confidence that they would greatly
reduce the Democratic plurality of
$500 when Mr.. Bland was elected last
year, while many hoped that they could
elect their nominee, a strong and popu-.
lar man. The Democrats had very
bitter fight over the nomination of
their candidate, two days and two
nights, with 4S6 ballots, being neces-
sary before choice could be made, and
much hard feeling remained at the end
Of the struggle.
The Republicans, on the other hand,
made the hardest fight ever known in
the district. They had plenty of money,
and besides holding many campaign
meetings, they employed every device
to get out the vote. = The chairmen
of the county committees mailed per-
sonal letters to the voters. by the thou
sand, telling of the opportunity to elect
the party's candidate, and urging
great number of Republican riders
we're in the saddle all day Monday, 60
ing from farmhouse to farmhouse, rally
ing the voters for Tuesday. Mr.. Vosholl,
the Republican nominee, said on the
eve of election, II don't know how
Things could look any better.
The issue of the campaign was the
expansion policy of the Mckinley adj
ministration. Judge Shackleford, the
Democratic candidate, stood boldly on
the platform of his party, which de-
clared that i've are unreservedly OPP
posed to the militarism and imperial
ism of President McKinley.'' Mr..
Vosholl, the Republican nominee, and
the Republican press of the district
and the State, under the lead of the
Globe-Democrat of this city. heartily
supported the Presidents policy, and
maintained that the election would de-
eide whether Missouri endorsed or re-
buked the President
The result is victory for the Demo-
Gratis by a larger majority than was
given in 1893 to Mr.. Bland, whose per
.sonal hold upon the voters was some-
thing extraordinary. Last year Mr..
Bland received l,674 votes, against Is,
S3l for Mr., Vosholl, with 271 for Popu-
of 2,S43. Returns from four fifths Of
the district and close estimates for the
other fifth make the Democratic total
yesterday 1880, the Republican 16,
sol, and the Populist eliza Demo.
cratic plurality of 3,029 on an un.
usually large poll for special election
in an agricultural district in the busy
season for the farmers. The Republi
cans are simply stunned at this un.
mistakable rejection of the expansion
policy and rebuke of the President il
the first election anywhere in the
country where that issue has beer
directly raised.
CONFEDERATION IN WASHINGTON.
Washington, Aug. 80. - The frs
perialists and their opponents ha
taken place in the Eight Missouri Dis
trict, where special election was helC
yesterday to choose successor to Mr.
Bland, with results that administration
6ympathizers here are vainly endeavor
ing to explain away. If that district
which comprises Is counties in contra
Missouri, is representative of the senti
ments of the great Southwest, the Re
publicans now feel that they will no
have SO easy victory next year as the
had been anticipating
This district is naturally close, an
had been carried by Mr.. Bland largel
by reason of his great hold upon tn
farmers, but even he was defeated i
it in 1894. In choosing his successo
both parties by common consent droppe
the silver question - they had ha
enough of that-and made imperialisi
the issue. The Republican papers {
the district, under the lead Of the s.
Louis Globe-Democrat, declared ths
the defeat of Mr. Vosholl, tho Republ
can candidate, would he distinct +,
Duke to the President in his philippir
policy, and would show that Nilsson
was not backing up the war in til
East. This was the burden of all NJ
Vosholl's speeches on the stump.
The Democrats readily accepted tn
Interpretation of the contest, and nom
mated an anti-imperialist of the Q,
tremest type, in the person of Jud,
Sbackleford, who declared for gettir
out of the Philippines as soon as 20
sible. With lines thus clearly draw
both sides awaited the results eagerl
and political observers here BEGAN
greatly interested in the first test
the strength of the Mckinley doctrin
in the great Southwest.
The national Republican leader
realizing the drift of the contest al
the Interpretation which would
given to its results, put forth the
utmost energies in behalf of the par
candidate. He had been made Gems
supervisor for the district, in the d
vision of the State which allowed S
Democrats and seven Republican supe
visors. 1t was argued that this pos
tion, carrying as it did much pot
patronage yet to be disposed Of, wou
strengthen his congressional candidate
besides inducing all the political
who would like to succeed him as ce
sus supervisor to work hard for b
promotion to Congress. Besides thi
the Democrats were not in perfe
harmony. Shackleford got his non
nation after a prolonged contest al
many ballots. Mr.. Bland had for
many years been the undisputed Dem
cratic candidate that at his death
goodly number of aspirants, who h
been long time waiting, came to t
front. Shackleford's nomination, or
reached after a long contest, was tn
not universally acceptable, and II
fact, with the census patronage a
other Federal assistance, as thought
be sufficient to elect the Republic
candidate in a district which is q
very unevenly divided.
Conditions were favorable for an il
perialist victory. 1t has not con
Reports received here Indicate th
Shaokleford has been elected by
plurality of 5000, or more than N
Bland had last year. The Republica
had prepared for solemn annount
ment of the winning of the Southwt