Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-11-18

had 2l4 electoral votes In 1864 to RI
for the Democrats, while in 1868 the
republicans again secured 2l4 cleo
toral votes, where the Democrats had
so. But in 1872 the Republicans
administered such drubbing to
their opponents that Grant received
2S6 electoral votes. Greeley died
before the electoral college met, but
his running mate on the ticket re-
ceived AZ votes for Vice President.
Minnesota, with her new Demo-
cratic governor, johnson, elected in
the face of Landslide Republican
votes, refuses to be outdope by either
Massachusetts with Douglas, or Mis-
souri, with Folk. Massachusetts, aud
Missouri have already been heralding
their governors as Presidential ma
terlai; Minnesota is doing likewise.
John A. johnson, editor of a news
paper at st. Peter, and born of
Swedish parents, is native of Min
nesots. johnson ran about 100000
votes stronger than President Roose-
Welt, who, nevertheless, received a
phenomenal majority in Minnesota.
Johnson's career rivals even that of
Lincoln. He came from humble
origin. The Republicans, during his
campaign, distributed an anonymous
circular pointing out that Johnson
mother was washerwoman, and
that his father, addicted to intoxi-
cants, died In a poorhouse. These
attacks created sympathy for him, as
1t was shown that he had been almost
the sole support of his family from
the time he was fourteen years old.
Investigation by the party managers
showed that his mother had at times
taken in washing, and that his
father had wandered away from home
to die In State institution. The
governor-elect made his own way
under great difficulties, but had been
elected to the State senate and become
well started on his career as a news
paper publisher before he was noml-
mated for governor, as was supposed,
to lead forlorn hope.
Eugene Debs, candidate of the
Socialist Democratic party, polled
over 100000 votes in the recent cleo
ton, or more than 4 per cent of the
total vote. Four years ago Debs re-
ceived 97,73O votes for the same
office. Over 100000 Debs votes
were cast in Illinois. Speaking of
the future Debs said: ''Senator
Hanna prophesied truly when he
said shortly before his death: 'The
next great political struggle will be
between the Republicans and the
Socialists Republicans are cha
grined at their huge victory. Ii
brings responsibilities they cannot
meet Their power is absolute
The trusts are beyond restriction
The outcome is known. The trusts
will own ca-economically,
politically. Then will come transi.
tion, swiftly. Socialism may SWEEP
the country four years from now,
Womanhood seeks escape from CAPT
talistlc thralldom. Women are active
in the propaganda. They are in
revolt"
The Washington Post says editor
tally: "The present outlook for the
Democratic party is all but hopeless
and were it not that the party has
shown remarkable vitality in the
past in surviving ruin and wrcakage
one might imagine that the crushing
defeat of Tuesday would be its
deathblow. Secretary Taft is right,
however, in suggesting that at the
next election the people may take il
into their heads to administer re-
buke to the Republican party by q
majority almost as large as its vote
of confidence. Under these circum.
stances it behooves the Democrats to
place themselves in position where
they will merit public confidence
and approval. 1t is easy enough tc
tell the minority what should be-
done, but it is extremely difficult tc
point out the path to be followed in
securing the desired result. The
trouble is that the Democratic party
consists Of two we'll de6ned factions,
each holding Numerically opposite
views. One faction is radical, the
other conservative"
| Following the authorized state.
ments that President Roosevelt will
inaugurate no sensational politics in
his settled determination to conduct
a beneficent administration, working
in non-partisan manner always to,
ward better government and mater
ial prosperity at home and lncreas
commercial prestige abroad, this re-
mark was made by a personal
friend of the President: "More than
ever, henceforth he will be the
President of all the people of the
| United States and not the President
of partisan faction" This can
not be accepted as promising tina
the President will throw ava,
the reins of party control. The
overwhelming character Of the vot,
is partial assurance that the Presi
dent will not be fettered by part,
prejudice to the detriment of wha
he considers sound policy. There
were more votes for Roosevelt Oh
Tuesday, it is stated, than there ar,
out-and-out acknowledged RepnblI
cans in this country. There were
fewer votes for Parker than Their,
are men who call themselves Demo
Gratis. For this reason it is believed
that President Roosevelt will exer.
else freedom to appoint Democrat
to office if Democrat is much better
qualified for office than Republi
can recommended by Senators ant
party leaders. Having declared b,
will not again accept the nomina
tion, President Roosevelt feels a
liberty to do things which before tn,