The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1908-10-23

Albany, N Y, Oct. 23--It is not
stretching the truth to say that the
presidential campaign OF 1908 depends
upon the vote of the state OF New York,
just as other presidential campaigns
for years back have centered around
the Empire commonwealth. II you look
back into the political history Of the
United States you will find that the
state Of New York, always possessing
the largest individual electoral vote OF
any state in the Union, has always
been the thermometer by which presi-
Dental results have been read,
The situation today is only little
different from the situation in years
previous. If Mr.. Bryan can carry every
state which Parker carried In 1904 and
which Bryan himself carried in 1895
and 1900 he can, with the electoral
vote of New York. be elected to the
presidency.
Again, therefore, the political COM
plexion OF New York becomes of vital
concern, as 1t has many and many a
day in the campaign calendar Of prev
lous years. When 1t Is remembered
that but three president of the United
States were elected without the cleo
toral vote OF New York in the electoral
college, 1t may be realized what the
electoral vote OF New York means
Buchanan in 1856, Grant In 1868, and
Hayes in 1875 are the only candidates
for ,presidentewho ever received COM
mission without the electoral support
of New York. Not only are these
three the only nominees who ever sue
ceeded with New York but in addition
there are many candidates whom New
York has supported who would never
have won had the New York vote been
changed. For example, In 1884 Polk
received ITO votes to Clay's los in the
electoral college New Yorl<s vote In
the college was IS for Polk Had New
York cast her SO votes for Clay he
would have been elected president. In
1S4s Taylor received 1853 votes TO 127
for Cass and New York cast her SO
votes for Taylor. Had New York gone
for Cass the Michigander would have
succeeded to the presidency.
In 1884 probably the most striking
example In the history of the political
power and prestige Of New York APP
pears. This was the memorable cam
paign between Cleveland and Blaine
In the electoral college Cleveland's
vote was ale. Blaine's was 1872 New
York cast her vote for Cleveland but
Cleveland carried New York by just
1,14s votes in a total far exceeding "a
million ballots. In other words, In
1884 the change OF 500 votes out OF
more than g. million in New York
would have elected Blaine to the presi-
dency instead OF Cleveland. at the time
OF his first term.
With such presidents at hand 1t is
no wonder that the political prophet
comes first to New York for study OF
political problems In 1908 the repub-
lican will tell you that Bryan cannot
be elected even If he carried New York
because of the fact that In addition to
New York he must hold every state
which Parker had in 1904, and which
he himself had In the two campaigns
preceding. But, on the other hand, the
democrat will tell you that Bryan Is
to have not only all this other vote
but Indiana, Illinois. Ohio. Oklahoma
possibly West Virginia, and then SOW
ereign New York in addition
But New York has been quite safely
republican for number OF years past
In 1904 New York turned In 85s.63s
ballots for Roosevelt as against es3,sSi
votes for Parker, and 1t must be re-
menlbered that Parker as well az
Roosevelt was a native son OF New
York In other words, when the inter-
est aroused nationally by the presencs
of a native New Yorker on the ticket
was equally divided between the re-
publican and democratic ticket, New
York choose the republican nominee
by $4,000 majority. This year the
republican ticket offers native New
Yorker for vice president and 1t must