The Republican journal., 1903-04-23
POLITICS FOR 1903.

In the strict sense, there are no OFT
wears in American politics. Although
theoretically there is lull for two years
Immediately before the presidential
contest. except as regards the maneuver-
ing of each party in Congress for
position in the big campaign. yet actual
ly elections of great Importance take
place a year in advanceof the quadren-
NAL roundup. In November OF the
present wear Ohio, Iowa, Mary land,
Kentucky, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
and other States of considerable import
ance will elect state officers. The con-
tests for governor in Ohio and Iowa are
always exciting. They will unquestlon-
ably be so this year. The fact that
Senator Hanna is to name the candidate
for the Republicans for governor, ana
that he is a candidate for reelection TO
the Senate from then legislature which
will be chosen next November, will be
sure to give this contest great interest
for the whole country, and the interest
will be heightened if, as seems probable,
johnson heads the Democratic ticket.
Probably the Democrats Will carry
Kentucky in 1908. They have an cleo
ton law which leaves nothing to chance,
and it may be relied on to count major,
ity for the party which framed 1t, ana
which intended it to roll up Democratlc
margins irrespective OF the relative
number of Republican and Democratlc
votes actually deposited at the polls.
In MARYLAND the contest will be much
more exciting and uncertain: Inc ne
pub1icans carried Maryland IN the two
latest presidential elections, and they
won. in the contest last November,
four of the States six members OF
Congress. The Republicans began
showing strength in Maryland in the
election of 1895 when they carried the
state for governor. Then followed
Nckinlev's victory in the State in 1896
and in 1900. But Smith, the present
governor, won the State III 1899. 1t is
believed that he will be renomlnated
this wear. The legislature to be elected
this wear will choose a United states
Senator to succeed McComas, Republl-
can. Moreover, German, who has Just
pulled himself out of obscurlty ana Sc
cured new term in the Senate, is now
the titular leader of the Democrats IN
his chamber and he asplres to leau MS
party in the presidential canvass. his
tate III the latter role will be decided oy
the vote of his State in 1908.
Rhode Island elected d Democratic
governor in 1902. and that gave the
Democracy some aid and comfort at the
time. In the election this year the
Democrats are understood to feel CON
siderable confidence Rhode Island S
vote does not bulk very large in the
electoral college but if the Democrats
win Little Rhody again they VIII say
that they are making gains IN New
England, and will begin to think that
they have some chance in Connectlcul
and New Hampshire. On the face OF
things. the situation seems to FAVOR the
Republicans in all the States this year
III whlcli they are normally strong, The
only point in doubt III relation to ONO,
Massachusetts and Iowa is as to the
exact Republican lead. 1t will be long
in all those States In Ohio in 1902 the
Republican candidate for secretary OF
state. who Leaded the ticket chosen
that year, had a lead of 10000. There
Will be no special incentive to make the
plurality as large as that this year un-
less johnson gets the nomination 1or
governor. in which case the Republl..
cans will put up the best canvass OF
which they are capable. In any case,
there viii be some very interesting pol
itics in 1903. Several OF the STATES
which will vote will furnish very tar
barometer OF the direction and force OF
the PARTISAN currents at that date.-St.
Louis Globe Democrat.