The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-07-30
INTERNATIONAL
CAMPAIGNS.
Contests Of Great Local Interest id 50
OF the 46 States.

WIN the prevalent interest IN PreSt-
dental and Congressional politics It has
been overlooked generally that this is
to be the greatest Gubernatorial year
probably in half a century. The would
be Governors will monopolize very
large share of public attention in the
campaign. There is no way of avoiding
it. because 30-odd States will elect Chief
Executives of their own Governments.
1t is a greater number than ever before.
In former times States elected their
Governors without much regard to
Presidential years. The politicians, espe-
cially the Republican politicians dis
covered quite a time ago that it was
easier and less expensive to get the vote
out in a Presidential year, and also
that it was easier in Northern States to
elect Republican Governor when he is
running on the same ticket with cam
6idate for President. Accordingly, State
Legislatures and the constituencies
thereof have been gradually swinging
around TO the practice of electing their
Governors either for a four-yearr or a
two year term, and to holding the cleo
ton at the time of the Federal election.
Since the last Presidential year iowa
and Ohio are two of the most notable
changes in that regard. The present
Governors of both these States have
been serving longer than the usual
terms, so that their successors may be
erected next November and start the
following January.
There have been several like instances
in recent years, and this standardizing
of State and Gubernatoriale elections
comes to the point this year when only
13 of the As States viii not elect Gov
ernor the approaching Autumn. New
Jersey is now the only State that has
a three-year GubernatoriaI term. Her
new Governor was chosen last Novem-
Der. Alabama, California, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Neva-
da, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Virginia and Wyoming are the only 9TH
er States that do not nominate and
elect Governor in the current cam
paign- All those States elect for four
years, and most of them held their eiec-
tons two years ago. .-,-.ls.--. 90
Local Struggles.
This inevitably will enhance local in
terest in the general political struggle.
Twelve of the SO States that are to- elect
now have Democratic Goyernors-Ar-
kansas, Florida. Georgia, Minnesota,
Missouri, Montana, North Carolina.
North Dakota, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, Tennessee and Texas Four
of these are Northern States. Ohio real
ly belongs to the list because the Buck
eye voters elected a Democratic Cover
nor three years ago, but on his death
ISsNNN>N~N0
tenant-Goyernor
Several other States had exceedingly
close Gubernatorial contests two years
ago. Albert B. Cummins was elected in
Iowa, but by a reduced majority, and
the Republicans say that if many DEM
Ocrats had not voted for him because of
his progressive views Democrat would
have succeeded him. Gov. E. w. Hoch
had an exceedingly close shave for re-
election in Kansas, as did Gov. Charles
NJ. Floyd, who secured his election by
the New Hampshire Legislature, and
not by popular majority. Gov. Hughes
was the only Republican on the State
ticket elected in New York
Last year Gov. Fort had only a small
margin in New Jersey. While in some
instances the reduced Republican ma
joritieS We're due to dissatisfaction with
the candidate, quite as much as to fac
tionalism, at time when the rest of the
country, outside of the South, was vot-
ing strongly Republican on Federal Off
Gals, the conditions in each locality
will give Zest to the fight on State Off
GERS this year. This fact will not neces-
sarily work for or against either Presi-
Dental candidate. but the politicians are
aware that it will tend to Keep the cam
paign from slipping into the hands OF
that old foeman, Gen. Apathy, who gen.
orally begins to show himself along in
September.
And yet few of the 33 Governors
whose successors are to be chosen this
Autumn are men of anything like Ma
tional reputation Gov. Hughes, of New
York of course, is foremost Gov Hoke
Smith, of Georgia, Secretary of the In
terror under Cleveland, and the son of
a New Hampshire father. is well known
outside his own State. He was recently
defeated for renomina-
ton.
Gov. Joseph Folk. of Missouri. was
for a time, perhaps. the best known
turnout the country of any State head.
He doomed large for season as DEM
ocratic Presidential possibility. His
popularity has been on the wane, how
ever, for a year or two. He is not ELI
gible for reelection in Missouri but is
now running industriously for the Sem
ate.
Gov. Deneen, of Illinois, has been
of a National figure. because
Of his efforts for reform legislation, and
is now in the midst of hard primary
fight for denomination.
Gov. =. Frank Hanly, of Indiana, is
l hero of the Western Chautauqua cir
cult who had a battle with the galleries
and also with the delegates at the Chi
,agO Convention recently in the course
Of a nominating speech. He is rofnd- -
ing out four years in the Governors
chair. and will retire to private life next
January. Js''-~
Reunion Date Changed.