Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-05

In the twenty years Intervening De-
tween the democratic landslide in the
off, year Of 1874 and the republican
landslide in the "of' year of 1894. the
two principal political parties were so
evenly matched that neither could boast
OF complete mastery except for two brief
periods Of two years each. During the
life Of the Fifty-first Congress Benja-
min Harrison was President and both
houses Of Congress were republican. Dur
ing the Two years of the Fifty-third Con-
gress Grover Cleveland was President
and both houses Of Congress were demo-
cratic. These temporary trfumphs re-
suited in overwhelming disaster in the
next elections. for in those times the
political pendulum was short and 1t
swung quickly.
During that double decade party spirit
ran high. party organizations were high
ly developed. and party loyalty was made
a fetch. It was the era of yellow dog
politics. Republicans respected democrats
and democrats respected republicans. but
both despised the "bOlter.' To be a
"turncoat" was to be subjected not only
to political, but social. ostracism. 1nde-
pendents and 'mugwumps" were almost
as odious as traitors. And yet both par
ties were compelled in campaign years to
sue for .mugwump" favors and to court,
with promises, with demagoguery and
with money, the smiles of the more or
less mythical silent voter.
-
In this era was developed the political
power of public patronage. Both parties
professed at
Public Patronage one time or an
Power Developed. civil service ere, re-.
form, but both were more ardently de-
voted to the principle expressed in the
slogan turn the rascals Quit" Since this
era OF our political history came to an
end sixteen years ago. politicians always
have harked back to this halcyon age for
their profession, and have spoken Of its
political conditions as normal" In
those years there were rev states,
mostly in the east and middle west,
which were described as pivotal. These
states, such as New York, Connecticut.
Indiana and Ohio. are even now, in the
language of the politician, denominated
as normally doubtful states, although,
with the exception of state elections, and
Of one congressional campaign in In
diana, they have been reliably republican
LOT nearly Two OcCdQeS.
In the congressional campaign of 1874
the democrats carried the House, not be-
cause of any positive policy or program
of their own manufacture, but solely be-
cause of the misdeeds and shortcomings
Of the post-bellum republican majority.
Two years later the democrats swept the
country, carrying both House and Senate
and disputing the title to the presidency.
Hayes was seated, however, but he opened
his administration with both houses Of
Congress under democratic control. In
the or year election of 1873 the demo-
Gratis again were successful, so that
throughout Hayes administration the
Congress was always in opposition, an ex-
perience shared by but one other PreSi-
dent-John Quincy Adams. 1t Is worthy
Of remark that these two Presidents, both
Of them much reviled while in Office and
both of them retired to private life amid
the thanksgivinigs Of their partisans, will
nevertheless occupy high places in history.
Adams already has won his laurels, and
when few more years have gone by the
try will be appreciated Hayes removed
the federal troops from the south and re-
stored civil government throughout the
Union, thereby making reunion possible.
He resumed specie payments and restored
the credit of the United States, perform
Alexander Hamilton.
But Hayes was not acceptable to his
party, and there was great scramble for
the presidential
Scramble Was Great succession. FL
,r nally the repub-
other dark HORSE" and another. Ohio
man-James A. Garfield. Gen. Grant had
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