Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1908 — INDIANA GOING DEMOCRATIC [ARTICLE]

INDIANA GOING DEMOCRATIC

Governor Hanly’s Special Legislative Elections Prove It. When he determined to call a special session of the legislature Governor Hanly found vacancies in six districts which had to be filled by special elections. In one Republican and two Democratic districts the candidate of the dominant party had no opposition. In one other joint senatorial district Samuel Benz, Democrat, of Leavenworth, was elected over Samuel H. Stewart, Republican, by a largely increased majority. In two other districts—one manufacturing and the other agricultural—the result of the voting shows the great drift toward the Democracy. Delaware county, containing the city of Muncie, composes one of these districts. In this county the Republicans made a tremendous effort to hold their own. The county was covered with speakers, including Governor Hanly and many other leading orators. When the votes were counted it was seen that the Demorats had made phenomenal gains, as the following figures prove: Republican plurality, 1904 4,849 Republican plurality, 1906...2,389 This year it is only 272 In the joint senatorial district composed of the agricultural counties of Newton, Jasper, Starke and White, the vote in 1904 on joint senator was as follows: Republican 7,627 Democratic 5,921 Republican plurality 1,606 This year, Democratic majority.. 58 The significance of the voting lies in the fact that in both agricultural and manufacturing centers the Democratic gains are equally heavy, thus showing a general turning toward the Democratic party.