The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-06-16
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Chicago. June 1-More interest is mani
Tested in the Democratic State Conven-
ton to be held at Springfield. Tuesday,
than has been shown in any similar gath
ering Of the Illinois Democracy since the
memorable year of 1894. In that year as
now, a General Assembly was to be chosen
whose members would be required. among
other things, to elect a United States Sena-
tor for a full term of six years.
When the Democrats gathered at Spring
field in June 1894, to nominate a State
ticket and select a candidate for the Unit
ed States Senate, the leaders were absolute
ly confident of victory. The State had been
a Democratic stronghold in antebellum
days, but, from 1850 to 1892, had given its
ELECTORAL vote to every Republican presi-
Dental candidate. whie ali its Governors
during that period, beginning with William
Bissell, who was elected in 1856 and in
clud.ng Joseph w. F1fer, whose term ex-
pired in January, 1893, had been of the Re
publican faith.
Still the election returns had more than
once indicated a wavering Of party al
legiance. This was notably the case in
1870, when the Legislature was a tie on
Joint ballot, in 1874. when the Democrats
had q majority of the congressional dele
cation and In 1877. when David Davis was
elected us an independent candidate to
the United States Senate by the Democrats
and Liberal Republicans in the General AS
senbly.
TWO MEMORABLE VICTORIES
FOR ILLINOIS DEMOCRACY.
In 1880 the Democrats won a sweeping
victory in lllinois-the first to their credit
Tor thirty years. They elected not only their
State ticket, but majority OF the Con-
gressmen. besides securing a majority on
In lat in he [,k,;.,
enabled them to return General John NJ.
Palrne. to the United States Senate. The
success of 1SSo was repeated in 1892. except
that the victory for democracy in the lat
ter year was even more extensive and en-
phatc. The electoral and State tickets
we're carried by large majorities, while
elected Democratic Representatives. Both
houses of the Legislature were Democratic
for the first time in forty years.
Following the precedent established two
years before, which the managers believed
had helped them to victory, the State Con-
yention in 1894 indorsed a candidate for
United States Senator. The man selected
for this high honor was Franklin Mac
Eeagh, a wholesale grocer Of this city Be-
was scholar and a thinker, although he
was rot in sympathy with the views then
held by the great body of Illinois Democrats
on the silver question.
Mr.. MacVeash made a brilliant campaign
and did not relax his efforts until the can
vass was finished. notwithstanding it had
before the balloting took place that he was
leading practically forlorn hope. The re-
suit Of that election was q crushing defeat
for Democracy in this State-a defeat so
overwhelming in its magnitude and so dis
astrous in Its consequences that 1t was al
most a Knockout"
MAY BE AN 1894 SURPRISE.
FOR REPUBLICANS THIS YEAR
While the Democratic leaders were con-
hdent and enthusiastic at the opening of
the 81 campaign, the Republicans were
correspondingly doubtful and depressed
The situation now is exactly the reverse
the Republican managers are very sanguine
over the present outlook and predict the
success of their state and legislative tickets
next November by comfortable majorities,
While the Democratic leaders make no
claims, although they are undoubtedly feel
Ing better than for several years
In another respect there is a noticeable
difference in the situation now as compared
with eight years ago. Then the Democrats
had nominated a candidate for United
States Senator in State convention, but the
Republicans declined to take similar action
insisting that they could make a more ef-
fective campaign by leaving the senator
bers of the General Assembly. This year,
however. the Republican managers have
taken a new tack, and the Democrats will
refuse 10 be guided by party precedent. The
Republican State Convention. held a few
weeks ago, named candidate for Senator,
but the official call for the Democratic State
Convention contains no reference to the
senatorship, and l. Is the purpose of the
party managers to make no nomination for