New-York tribune., 1900-08-15
OUTLOOK IN MAINE.
BOTH PARTIES TO MAKE AN ACTIVE
CAMPAIGN-WHAT THE FIG
URES WILL MEAN.


Augusta, Me, Aug IA (speciaD.-The election
for Governor in this State. which will occur on
September 10. is now absorbing the attention OF
the rank and file and leaders of both OF the
great parties. The best speakers. both Demo
cratic and Republican, from August 20 when
the campaign formally opens. will speak
throughout the length and breadth OF the Pine
Tree State; no village therein is so small as 10
be overlooked. no hamlet tiny that the votes
Of its inhabitants are not considered Of impor-
tance, or where speakers Of both Of the great
parties do not seek 10 instruct those voters IN
the way in which they should cast their ballots.
It is, in fact. house-to-h house canvass to bring
out the full vote OF both parties From now
until the election is over Maine will ahsorn
popular attention throughout the country ana
the returns from the State will everywhere be
eagerly scanned on the morning after Election
Day.
The Importance that both parties attach 70
this election is an Importance not measured
by the size of the electoral vote Of the
State, but by the influence that the stare
carries in National politics. Thes comes from
a double cause. First on account Of the sys-
TEN that here prevails Of selecting the pest
men possible for the House and Senate and OF
keeping those men there continuously. In this
way the State has always held commanding
position and influence in National leglsIauon'
On the roll Of names OF the men who nave
represented Maine in Washington are TO oe
found some Of the greatest in the history OF the
Republic. This it is. coupled with the ract tnAt
the election here occurs in September. that gives
TO the Maine election for Governor its great
prominence in Presidential years This II is
that causes the leaders of both parties TO re-
gard this election for the time being Of para
mount Importance.
If when the votes are counted on the night OF
September 10 1t is found that the mighty Re
publican majority Of 1896 has been reduced the
Democratic press throughout the land will make
a great and joyous oUtcry. They will seek from
| such reduction to draw courage and comfort
They will indulge in predictions OF Democratic
success in November, and assure their readers
that this reduction Of d Republican majority in
a rock ribbed Republican State like Maine IS
but the presage of better things elsewhere for
Democracy. II is the straw which shows which
way the wind blows. they will say. If we can
reduce the majority IN such hotbed of Repub-
licanism as Maine. what will not be able to
DO in the closer and more doubtful States?
Then they will answer themselves by saying
Why, carry them, to be sure; and with that
they will point to cunningIy prepared and de-
lusive tables, IN which they will seek to prove
that which they so ardentIy desire.
All this will probably come to pass, for there
can be little question that the Republican ma
jortty in Maine in 1900 will fall below that given
in 1896. But II will not be brought about
through any decrease IN the Republican vote
or increase IN the normal Democratic vote, 1t
WILL be solely and wholly because the normal
Democratic vote in the State will probably be
poIed. When IN 1895 the bear garden that as
senbled in Chicago wound up what II has been
wont TO term its deliberations % by putting
forward William Jennings Bryan as its candi-
date. standing on anarchisticaI platform that
Democracy turned sick at heart. They did not
believe in the silver dogma they loathed the at
tack on the Supreme Court and there was little
or nothing about either the platform the
candidate for which they did care. There was
nothing paIatable about the dose, and they re-
fused by shoals to swallow It In fact, no at
tempt was made to get out the Democratic vote.
The reflection Of this state Of affairs was found
on Election Day. Ordinarily the Republican
vote in Maine is about 5000 while the Demo-
cratic vote ranges around 30. 900. Yet in 1896
with q slightly increased Republican vote
LleweIIyn Powers carried the State by no less
than 1885 plurality over Samuel Lord. again
the Democratic nominee this year This year
the Democrats are working hard TO get out a
full vote
The following tabulation Of Names September
votes preceding six National elections Will be Of
interest at the present time: