On Tuesday the American State elections took place. As a
result, the Republicans still retain their control in the House of Representatives, but by a considerably reduced majority. In New York State most of the Republican " ticket " were defeated, but Mr. Hughes succeeded in defeating Mr. Hearst for the Governorship by a majority of about 55,000 votes. Considering the extreme opposition to the latter candidate by all the respectable classes of the corn. munity, from the President downwards, his defeat by so narrow a margin shows both the reality of his power and the depth of the grievances which be professes to remedy. He was only defeated at all, as we have argued elsewhere, because the country at large believes that the President is equally earnest for reform, and that his way is the safer. We are glad to see that the New York Press of both parties has drawn the right moral. The result, it argues, is rather "sobering" than stimulating, and Mr. Hughes has declared that "his feeling is not one of elation, but of responsibility." Mr. Hearst still remains a vigorous and dangerous force in American politics, and he can only be kept out of power if better men undertake to lead in the reforms which he promises.
