The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-05-11
A TEST VOTE
TO BE TAKEN.
Result of the Oregon Election
May Mean Much.
THE ISSUES ARE MADE UP.
Democrats Have Declared Against Wars
OF Conquest and Colonial Possessions
-Othsr States That Will Be
BarOmetors.

Special to News-Democrat.
Washington, May 9.-Politicians here
are awaiting the result Of the Oregon
election next month with considerable
interest. In olden times there were
several states which always held their
election before the general November
election, and on whose vote very accu-
rate representations as to the final
result in the country could be based.
Instances occur as when Pennsylvania
and Illinois used to be barometers of
popular feeling and further back still
when Maine went, hell bent, for Gov.
Kent, and Tippicanoe and Tyler too"
But these days have passed, Ohio
and Indiana being almost the last i'm
portant and doubtful states to abandon
the practice. Oregon, and to a lesser
extent Maine and Vermont. are the
only important states that adhere to
1t, and only the first named is at all
doubtful. Oregon votes next month
for a justice Of the state supreme court,
two representatives in congress, and
rs members of the legislature. Ordi-
narily the election would not attract at
tention, except so far as the political
complexion of the legislature will effect
the choice Of a successor to Senator Nc
Bride, who Is Republican. In 1896
Mckinley carried Oregon by a plural
ity of 2117. Two years later the Re-
publican candidate for governor was
elected by a plurality Of 1852. This
year the Democrats and Populists have
combined on a state ticket. and IL the
full strength of the combination Is poll
ed for the fusion ticket, the Republicans
will have all they can do to avert de-
feat.
The platforms of both parties are
drawn on national lines. and the re-
suit may be expected, in some degree,
to indicate the sentiment of the Far
west toward Mckinley and imperi-
alism. The Republican platform in
dorses President McKinley's admins
tration and the action of the party
in congress, and favors the renomina-
tion Of President Mckinley. The Demo-
cratic platform opposes wars Of con-
quest and colonial possessions" and
advocates the ultimate independence
Of the Filipinos. with protection from
outside interference" The platform
also opposes militarism, and denounces
the doctrine that IAN executive or
congress created and limited by the
constitution can exercise lawful author
ity beyond the constitution and in vio-
lation Of It," The platform further con-
demns the Porto Rican tariff and the
Dingley tariff act, expresses sympathy
for the Beers, and indorses the Chicago
platform "in whole and in part, in let
ter and in spirit. Whether this decla-
ration will have any effect In the result
remains to be seen.
Maine and Vermont vote In Septem-
ber Both are Republican states, but
the elections may throw some light on
public sentiment In the east. A Republic
can member Of the house OF representa-
tives from Maine was one Of the
strongest opponents Of the Porto Rican
tariff bill, as was Republican senator
from Maine. In 1896 Mr.. McKinley's q
plurality in Maine was 45.7T while the
Republican candidate for governor was
elected In 1898 by plurality Of nearly
$4,000. If there should be any marked
falling Off in the normal Republican
vote in Maine. the result might be in"
terpreted as indicating Republican dis
affection In the east There Is unques-
tionably some anti-imperialistic senti-
ment among the Republicans of the
New England states. Possibly the
September election in Maine may be a
political straw" showing that in the
east the wind will not blow next Mo-
yember altogether to the liking Of the
administration.
Other states which will hold elections
before the presidential contest Is set
tied in November are: Alabama, in
August: Arkansas, In September;
Georgia. in October; and North Caro-
lima, In August These are all Demo-
cratic states spd, the results win have
no special signif cancs - 1t 10 = fore
gone oonciusion Now they win vote.