Washington sentinel., 1900-05-12
Oregon and Maine Elections.

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except so lar as the political COM
plexion OF the Legislature will
affect the choice Of a successor TO
Senator Mcbride, who is Repub-
lican. AS this is the year Of the
Presidential election, however, and
the platforms Of both the Demo
cratic and Republican parties in
Oregon refer to national as we'll as
local issues, the result OF next
months election may indicate to
some extent the sentiment Of the
Far West toward McKinleyism
and imperialism The platform Of
the Oregon Republicans indorses
President McKinley's Administra-
ton and the action of the party in
Congress, and favors the renomi-
nation Of Mr.. Mckinley.
The Democratic platform op-
poses wars OF conquest and colo
nial possessions" and advocates
the ultimate independence OF the
Filipinos, with protection from
outside interference" The plat
form also opposes militarism, and
denounces the doctrine hat can
executive or a Congress created
and limited by the Constitution
can exercise lawful authority be-
yond that Constitution and in vio-
lation of it," The platform further
condemns the Porto Rican tariff
and the Dingley tariff act and ex-
presses sympathy with the Beers.
1t will, therefore, be seen that the
State election in Oregon will be
conducted LARGELY on those ma
tional issues upon which the Pres
idential contest will be fought.
In 1896 Mckinley carried
Oregon by a plurality Of a,IG7.
Two years later the Republican
candidate for Governor was elected
by a plurality OF o,ssI. This year
the Democrats and Populists have
combined on a State ticket, and if
the full strength Of the combina-
tion is polled for the fusion ticket
the Republicans will have all they
can do to avert defeat. The Chi
cago platform was indorsed and
reaffirmed by the Democrats OF
Oregon at their State convention
Gin whole and in part, in letter and
IN spirit" Whether this declara-
tion will have any effect upon the
result remains to be seen.
Next September Maine and Ver-
mont, in the East, will have State
elections. Both are Republican
States-Vermont hopelesslY So
but the election in Maine may
throw some light on the Presiden-
tial election in November, so far
as Republican sentiment in the
East is concerned. A Republican
member Of the House OF Represen-
tatives from that State was one Of
the strongest opponents OF the
Porto Rican Tariff bill. In 1896
Mr.. McKinleY's plurality in Maine
was 4s,777, while the Republican
candidate Tor Governor was elected
in 1893 by plurality OF nearly as
900. Ifthere should be any marked
falling of in the normal Republl-
can vote in Maine, the result might
be interpreted as indicating Re-
publican disaffection in the East.
There is un9uestionably some
anti-imperialist sentiment among
the Republicans in the New Eng
land Sta es. Possibly the Septem-
Der elections in Maine may be
political straw" showing that in
the East the wind will not blow
altogether to the liking OF the Ad-
ministratIon.
Other States which will hold
elections before the Presidential
is settled in November are: Ala
bama in August; Arkansas in
September; Georgia in October,
and North Carolina in August.
These are all Democratic States
and the results will have no spe :ial
significance, as it is a foregone
conclusion how they will vote.
The important States like Ohio
and Indiana, which used to hold
State elections on the eve OF Pres
idential elections, now have their
local elections in November. Ore.
gon and Maine, however, may
have some surprises in store, re-
vealing an undercurrent OF feeling
against McXinleYism which would
give the Administration food for
much reflection before the national
election in November.
A CITIZEN Of Porto Rico has sued
the United States Commissioner ol
immigration for damages for ar