One hundred years ago
THE CONTEST for the American Presidency ended on Tuesday in a great surprise. The people have found out McKinleyism, and the revolt against the high tariff has not only given Mr. Cleve- land a majority in the Electoral College, which now numbers 444 persons, but such a majority as has rarely been seen in the United States. The figures are not yet complete, a new ballot having been adopted which requires careful count- ing; but, on the lowest estimate (Times' correspondent) Mr. Cleveland has 277 votes and Mr. Harrison only 135, the remaining 32 going to General Weaver, the candidate accepted by the Farmers' Alliance, which is pledged to low taxa- tion. The votes given to this candidate, even where he was defeated, greatly reduced the Republican totals, and must be counted as favourable to the low tariff issue which has triumphed throughout the South, in all the doubt- ful States, in Illinois and California, and even in Ohio, Mr. McKinley's own State. Mr. Cleveland does not take his seat till March 4th, 1893, and will have no Congress in Session till December of that year; but it is said that the present Government will reduce duties, the Republican leaders all acknowledging that they had mistaken opinion. Extrav- agance will also be discouraged; but large reductions cannot immediately be made, as the Protectionists committed the national faith to much of the expen- diture, particularly the profligate grants of pension.
The Spectator 12 November 1892
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