The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-09
NEW "PIVOTAL STATES"
The Distinction Of New York and Indiana
Has Ceased In This Regard.

1t has been pointed out frequently by stu
dents Of American national politics that New
York and Indiana are two States which have
oscillated between the two parties for many
years. Indiana was Republican In 1872, Dem
ocratic in 1879, Republican in 1850, Demo-
cratic In 1884, Republican in 1883, Democratic
In 1892. and Republican in 1898. on the electoral
ticket. while New York. going back further.
was Republican in 1884, Democratic in 1858.
Republican in 1872. Democratic In 1879. Re-
publican in 1880. Democratic In 1884. Repub-
llcan In 1883, Democratic In 1892. and Repub-
lican in 1896. On this showing IL would ap-
pear that the two States of New York and In
diana. one in the East and one in the West.
were important If not pivotal States In ma
tional elections and that by a study of political
conditions in them n view Of the probable re-
suits of a campaign would he attained.
This view of the case. however, does not
take into consideration the fact that the I'M
certainty Of these two States does not arise
from ordinary, but from exceptional, causes.
They have been abnormally favored In nom
nations by the two parties. the Republicans
having had an Indiana candidate for Presi-
dent in 1855 and 1892 and the Democrats having
candidate in 1910, 1880 and 1884. In 1872 the
Republican candidate for President. and in
in 1854 the Republican candidate for Vice.
President we're chosen from Illinois, lndiana's
! Western neighbor, and the Democratic can
didate for Vice President came from Illinois
in 1892. Ohio furnished one or other of the
| parties with either a Presidential or Nice-Presi-
Dental candidate in 1879. 1880. 1883. and 1898.
The politics Of Indiana are to a great extent
controlled by, the sentiment OF the voters in
| Of Illinois and Ohio. and il need be no occasion
for surprise, therefore,, that the special efforts
made by either party TO secure success in Indi-
ana should have had the effect OF keeping that
State for a number of years in the very doubt
| full column. New York, though less influenced
than is Indiana by the domination 10 elective.
| office Of candidates resident within its borders
had a Presidential nominee on one Of the party
tickets In 1893, a President and Vice-President
in 1879, a President and Vice-President in 1880,
q President in 1884. a president and yice-Presi-
| dent in 1888. and a President and Vice-Presi-
dent in 1892.
Changed political conditions, arising from
the admission Of new States and the larger
| representation Of Western CONFERENCE.-The,
as we'll as from the new lines of political divis-
| ion in the United States, have deprived New
York and Indiana Of their former distinction
ton Of 1929 the two closer States in the country
were Kentucky, overwhelmingly Democratic
for many years, and South Dakota, admitted
into the Union as q State in 1885. Two other
| close States in the Presidential election Of four
ycnrs ago were Kansas and Oregon. and two
| probable uncertain States this year are Mary
lad and Wyoming.
There are no longer in important doubtful
States any preliminary elections, such as form
erly made Pennsylvania and afterward Ohio
and Indiana pivotal States. Rhode Island,
lican. hold State elections in advance Of the
national contest. and Louisiana, Arkansas
and Alabama. which are Just as strongly
| April, September and August respectively. but
the withdrawal Of the UNCERTAIN States from
the list Of those in which disputed State con-
tests were held ip advance Of the general cleo
uoh' mas ,csIoreu 70 a great extent the politi-
| cal equilibrium between the States, 40
that a vote counts as much In one "a another,
| The names Of Vice Presidential candidates nv
by the two parties there Ia no undue preference
for any State.