Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1906 — THE ELECTION THIS YEAR. [ARTICLE]

THE ELECTION THIS YEAR.

The Indianapolis News: Twenty-nine States are this year to elect Governors. Of these ten have Democratic and nineteen have Republican Governors. Three of the ten Democratic States are in the North namely, Minnesota, Nevada and Oregon. Of course, the Democrats will easily hold their seven Southern States. Whab are their chances in the North is tbe question. Some light will be thrown on the problem by tbe election in Oregon, June 4. The only States the Republicans can possibly gain are the three jnsfc mentioned, Minnesota, Nevada and Oregon. The Democrats may carry several Northern States, besides holding the ones they now have. Minnesota, which gave Mr. Roosevejt a plurality of 161,000 at the same election chose a Democratic Governor by a plurality of 6,352. With as popular a candidate this year, and with no national election to help the Republicans, it is possible that another Democratic Governor may be elected. Nevada is exceedingly close. The Republicans have carried the State only four times in the last thirty-four years. So the chances favor the Democrats. On the other hand the Republicans seem to have the better of it in Oregon, which was Republican on the national ticket in 1904 by 42,934. All its State officers, except Governor, are Republican. And Governor Chamberlain was elected in 1902 by the scant plurality of 276. California also is a Democratic possibility—though not more than that. While it chose the Roosevelt electors by a plurality of 115,932, it elected the present Republican Governor in 1902 by a plurality of only 1,550 And it has been carried by the Democrats several times in off years. The result this year ought to be close. There are many States which will be affected by the movement for tariff reform and reciprocity, but to what extent can not even be guessed. Many Republicans in Massachusetts, for instance, have made up their minds that their party must be made to understand that Massachusetts is for tariff reform. It is not at all improbable that they may conclude to throw the State to the Democrats. Two years ago the Roosevelt plurality was 92,000, while the candidate for Governor, who was favorable to reciprocity, had r plurality of only 22.000. The candidate for Lieutenant-Governor, who was a standpatter, narrowly escaped defeat in a presidential year. A Democrat of the Russell type might win in Massachusetts this year. Nebraska should be close, and New York is always doubtful With the fight in the Republican organization it should be more than ever doubtful this year. With the tariff revisers in control of the lowa Republican organization that ougnt to be safe for the Republicans. We conclude, therefore, that the Democrats are likely to make their best showing—which may be a successful one —in Minnesota, Nevada, California, Massachusetts. Nebraska and New York. There are so many issues as to make it perilous to rely on past statistics. It is certain that the tariff will cut a large figure. The tariff reform Republicans, and there are many of them, may decide that they will make a showing in this off year. I The action of Congress on the; rate bill will certainly have somej influence. If it is fairly satisfac- 1 tory to the people, the Republicans will be greatly strengtnened On the other hand, the defeat by the Republicans of such measures as the free alcohol bill would give the Democrats a great issue, nf which they will make the most. The passage of the ship subsidy bill, which now seems most unlikely, will hurt the Republicans all over the country. On the other hand, the fight that President Roosevelt has made on the Standard Oil Company and other combinations, while it will commend him and hie party to the people, is likely to dampen the enthusiam of the corporations for the Republican cause. Tbe situation is thus decidedly mixed. Only one thing seems clear, and that is that the Democrats will make the best fight they have made for years.