THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1888.

Shortly after the adjournment of the National Conventions, the National Committees of the two great parties opened headquarters in New York City, Senator M. S. Quay being Chairman of the Republican National and Executive committees, with full authority in one head, while ex-Senator Barnum headed the Democratic National, and Calvin Brice its Executive Committee. Both Committees devoted themselves to practical political work, and the result was a greater expenditure of money than was ever previously known. From information gathered by the writer, it can be safely stated that the Democratic National Committee, with its drafts upon the Federal office-holders, raised two millions of dollars, while the Republican business men and manufacturers contributed one million three hundred thousand to their National Committee. It was a business battle, largely waged between the manufacturing and importing interests, the smaller farmers being allies of the manufacturers, the planters adhering to their support of the Free Trade tendencies of the Democratic party. The literary and oratorical features of the canvass were not neglected, and tariff discussion was the order of the day and the night throughout the entire country. The pivotal States were, in the order of their importance, New York, Indiana, Connecticut, New Jersey, West Virginia, and California. From the day of General Harrison’s nomination, Indiana became, and continued, the scene of the most intense political excitement. Visiting delegations called upon the nominee from every town and hamlet in the State, and the fever extended to adjacent States. The ordeal was a most trying one for a candidate, and, for a time, there was grave fear that a mistake might be made, or a trap sprung, like that of Burchard’s upon Blaine in 1884; but General Harrison was singularly fortunate in all of his remarks, and yet so earnest and able that his own work soon began to be recognized as the best of the campaign. President Cleveland was compelled by his official duties, and probably by inclination, to keep out of even the speaking part of the campaign.

Senator Quay regarded New York as the sole key to the contest, and his determination to carry that State, even at the risk of all others, was maintained with the greatest firmness. The usual appeals came from hopeful States, like Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and even Delaware and Maryland, while alarming predictions as to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa flew thick and fast; but the Republican National Chairman, wisely clothed with absolute authority as general of the battle, kept up his steady assault upon New York, and organized so closely that the usual frauds in New York City and Brooklyn became impossible. The wisdom of this policy was confirmed by the result, and to it is directly traceable the Republican victory which followed. General Harrison carried New York by 14,000 plurality, while Governor Hill, the Democratic candidate for reëlection, carried it by 18,000. This apparent political phenomenon finds its explanation in the liquor issue, which attracted wide attention throughout the State. Warner Miller, the Republican candidate, favored high license, while Governor Hill opposed it.

The Northwest, always before believed to be inclined to Free Trade, gave surprising tariff majorities, while Kansas proved the banner Republican State, giving over 80,000 for Harrison in a territory made up mostly by farmers. Indeed, the farming excelled many of the manufacturing sections in showing tariff or Republican gains.

Results proved to be very close in Connecticut, the two Virginias, Maryland, and Tennessee, and for a time the attitude of the lower House of Congress was in doubt. At this writing the Republican majority is estimated at seven, and the new Congress will have to consider more than a dozen contested seats. The Republicans made a net gain of one in the Senate by their success in the counties of Sussex and Kent, in Delaware. This was due to a quarrel between the Bayard and Saulsbury factions of the State. New Jersey remained with the Democrats, and the Republicans elected General Goff for Governor of West Virginia, with three Labor men holding the balance of power in the Legislature.

ELECTORAL VOTE.
Harrison. Cleveland.
California 8 Alabama 10
Colorado 3 Arkansas 7
Illinois 22 Connecticut 6
Indiana 15 Delaware 3
Iowa 13 Florida 4
Kansas 9 Georgia 12
Maine 6 Kentucky 13
Massachusetts 14 Louisiana 8
Michigan 13 Maryland 8
Minnesota 7 Mississippi 9
Nebraska 5 Missouri 16
Nevada 3 New Jersey 9
New Hampshire 4 North Carolina 12
New York 36 South Carolina 9
Ohio 23 Tennessee 11
Oregon 3 Texas 13
Pennsylvania 30 Virginia 12
Rhode Island 4 West Virginia 6
Vermont 4
Wisconsin 11 168
233
168
Harrison’s majority 65

Here is a majority of 65 electors, and yet less than 3000 votes in New York, cast for Cleveland, would have reëlected him, but with grave danger to the country, because of disputed results in the two Virginias.

THE POPULAR VOTE—1888.
Rep. Dem. Pro. Labor.
Alabama 57,197 117,320 583
Arkansas 58,752 85,962 614 10,613
California 124,809 117,899 5,761 1,591
Colorado 50,831 37,345 2,490 1,287
Connecticut 74,584 74,920 4,234 240
Delaware 12,950 16,414 400 1
Florida 26,659 39,561 403
Georgia 40,413 100,742 1,802 136
Illinois 370,241 348,360 21,562 8,556
Indiana 263,361 261,013 9,881 2,694
Iowa 211,598 179,877 3,550 9,105
Kansas 182,610 102,580 6,452 36,236
Kentucky 155,154 183,800 5,225 622
Louisiana 30,181 84,941 130
Maine 73,734 50,482 2,690 1,345
Maryland 99,761 106,172 5,358 1,241
Massachusetts 183,447 151,990 8,641
Michigan 236,307 213,404 20,942 4,542
Minnesota 142,492 104,385 15,341 1,097
Mississippi 30,096 85,476 218 22
Missouri 236,325 261,957 4,954 15,853
Nebraska 108,425 80,552 9,429 4,226
Nevada 7,088 5,149 41
N. Hampshire 45,728 43,457 1,570 13
New Jersey 144,344 151,493 7,904
New York 650,337 635,965 30,321 5,362
N. Carolina 134,784 147,902 2,788
Ohio 416,054 396,455 24,356 3,496
Oregon 33,293 26,524 1,677 363
Pennsylvania 526,223 446,934 20,758 3,873
Rhode Island 21,960 17,533 1,281
South Carolina 13,740 65,825
Tennessee 138,988 158,779 5,969 48
Texas 88,422 234,883 4,749 29,459
Vermont 45,192 16,788 1,459
Virginia 150,442 151,977 1,678
West Virginia 75,052 75,558 669 1,064
Wisconsin 176,553 155,232 14,277 8,552
Totals 5,438,157 5,535,626 250,157 150,624