The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-09-08

The campaign in this State Is practi-
cally over, and little remains but to poll
and count the votes. So far as platform
oratory is concerned, at least, the cam
paign has been carried on almost entirely
upon national Issues. State issues, though
some important ones we've set up In both
the platforms, have received scarcely any
attention there. Yet 1t is a fact that
questions purely local in their character,
are receiving more real attention from
the voters than national. This is due in
part, no doubt, to the existence of
strong belief among the voters that there
is very little doubt as to the result of the
election in November. Ordinarily Maine
voters go into a Presidential campaign
feeling that the result of their State cleo
ton will have a strong effect upon the
national election, and hence the national
election monopolizes their attention. This
year there is much less of that feeling than
usual because, as we have suggested,
there is believed to be much less doubt of
the result OF the national election than
usual. 1t is perfectly clear to any OBJ
server that the sheriff question is exoit-
ing far more interest in this county than
any national question. This interest in
local questions is going to offset any ap-
athy that may exist as to national ques-
tions. from whatever cause, and ensure a
full expression of opinion In regard to
them, for though the question which
may be chiefly Instrumental in bringing
the voter to the polls may be local, when
he gets there he is going to express his
preference as between the parties on ma
tionaI affairs. He will do this by voting
for the Republican or Democratic candi-
date for governor. for though they are
candidates for a State office, it is as rep
resentatives Of the two political parties
that they VIII be voted for. The numer-
Gus local questions win have the effect to
call out a full vote, and viii contribute
TO a full expression Of public opinion as
regards national issues. 1t is clear that
the Repu blicans cannot reasonably expect
so large a plurality as they received four
years ago. Then the Democratic party
was split into factions, with two tickets
in the field, Then there was consider
able body of Democratic voters so dis
gusted with the actions of their party
that they would not vote at all The ire
mendous plurality the Republican ticket
received that year was due not to the
increase OF the Republican vote, but to
the falling off Of the Democratic on ao-
count Of the causes we have specified and
some others. This year there is far less
discord in the Democracy than four
years ago. Many of the Democrats who
then sulked in their tents have returned
and are actively supporting their ticket
Their meetings show that the Democ-
racy are fairly harmonious this year, and
that a large per cent of them are alert
and active. Local questions will be as
effective to draw them to the polls as to
call out the Republicans. 1t Is practi-
cally certain, therefore, that the Democrats
win poll a much larger vote than four
years ago A reduced Republican ma
jority brought about by an increased
Democratic vote without any reduction /
in the Republican vote will mean only
that the Democrats have partially recov-
cred from their apathy and disgust O f
four years ago, 1t Will not mean any
weakening of Republican strength.
though doubtless attempts will be made
to make 1t appear otherwise. AS large a |
Republican vote as four years ago, no
matter If the Republican majority be con-
siderably reduced, VIII show that Mr.. |
Bryan's paramount issue has made no
inroads upon the Republican strength,
and that the people have not bsen fright
ened by the cry of imperialism,