Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1893 — HARD TO EXPLAIN. [ARTICLE]

HARD TO EXPLAIN.

Results of the Election a Surprise to Washington Politicians. Washington dispatch: The result of the election was received with surprise by all political parties here. The unexpected happened in so many instances that in no case were the predictions of Democrats, Republicans, or Populists fully verified. The chief surprise of the Democrates arises, not from the fact that they were defeated, but that the defeat was so general in all doubtful States and the Republican majorities so overwhelming. Expressions from nearly all the prominent Democratic leaders at the capital several days before election showed that the Democrat) were preparing for defeat in those States where the free coinage element is strong and the disappointment over the passage of the repeal bill intense, but it was hardly expected that in the “sound money” States of New Yorkand Massachusetts the Democratic majorities of the past would be so ruthlessly mowed down and the careful efforts oi perfect organization avail so little. Despite this all the prominent Democratic leaders unite in ascribing the general defeat throughout the country to two causes. The dissatisfaction of the agricultural elements over the financial question and the widespread apathy of disappointed office-seekers who have failed to realize the fruits of the last Democratic victory. In lowa the defeat of Boies is important, not in that it means a Republican Governor in that State and a Republican United States Senator next winter, but that it practically removes Boies from the list of Western candidates for the Presidency in ’96. The President did not show that intense interest in the returns that would have indicated a confidence in Democratic victory. Early in the evening the President went to his country home instead of remaining at the Executive Mansion, as is usual on election nights, and the returns he received were only those of suff cient importance to be telephoned out to Woodley by Private Secretary Thurber as the latter received them from the telegraph wire at the White House. Gov. Boies Is lie signed. A dispatch from Waterloo, la., Governor Boies’ home, says: Governor Boies takes his defeat philosophically. On account of his illness he was notapprised of the result until next morning. The Governor manifested no surprise, and said that personally he had no feeling of regret, though for his party he had hoped for a different result.