The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-19
VOTE OF LARGE CITIES.


Henry Litchfield West in Forum.
The conventions which nominated the
tickets for the fall campaign were interest
ing because they again demonstrated the
prominent participation of large cities in
the politics of each State. This was par
ticularly true of Ohio; while in Maryland,
where a factional quarrel in the Republic
party led to bitter contest, the strug-
gle for the control of the delegation from
the city of Baltimore was of the most in
tense character. 1t is. easy to appreciate
the fact that large. well-organized masses
of society, compact and actuated by COM
mon interest, dominate a scattered and
remote population. This situation confronts
the politician in the development and man.
agement of a state machine. Occasionally
the building up of an organization in the
rural districts will be effective. A striking
illustration of this fact occurred when,
during the four years which interviewed
between the first and second terms Of Pres
ident Cleveland's administration. his man.
ayers secured the Endorsement and coop
Grafton of the country press. They ignored
the city influences almost entirely. New
York city, it will be remembered, was Bit
terly hostile to his renomination Mr..
Bourke Cockrans remarkable speech just
this opposition. This instance, however.
is the exception which proves the rule.
The fact is that more and more the cities
are dominating state politics, so far as
nominations are concerned; and to a less
extent, but still to an appreciable degree.
they are deciding the political complexion
OF the States in which they are situated.
In Maryland. to cite one State, the total
vote at the last election was 263, 065. of
which Baltimore city and county cast 129,
357. or practically one-half and yet Mary
- x.t. -
1000 square miles and includes twenty
three counties. Illinois is another State
Of large area and dense population; and
yet the vote OF Chicago last year was &c.
600, or "a per cent. of the entire vote of the
State. The Importance of the vote OF
Greater New York when compared with
the vote of New York State above the
Harlem is too well known TO require more
than a mere reference.
Without going further into detail 1t is
merely necessary to remark that St. Louis
in Missouri, San Francisco in California
Milwaukee in Wisconsin, and, in fact, the
largest cities in all the States the pivots
upon which the political affairs in those
States revolve. 1t is condition which
will become more marked as time progress
es; for the number of delegates is based
upon voting strength and the population OF
the cities is increasing in ratio far ex-
ceeding that of the rural districts. The day
will come, and ere long, when the people OF
the counties will simply be the automatons
to register the will of the political bosses
who rule the city wards, unless indeed
the farmers and other rural voters com
bine in order to secure for themselves a
voice in political control. This combination
will be difficult to effect. Diversity of in.
terest, loyalty to local candidates. impos-
sibility of compact and disciplined organi.
zation-all these will be obstacles to pre-
vent any concerted effort to overthrow
the power of the great cities. The fact Is
that we are approaching. if we have not
already reached. a condition which means
that the cities will govern and control
| Mi tc- mfr rfr at aers
of honesty intelligence and independence
is very high in the rural districts.