A tidal wave of opinion, still unexplained and to us
inex- plicable, is rushing over the United States. The people, who only two years ago elected a Democratic House of Repre- sentatives, pledged to reduce the Tariff, have now sent up a heavy majority of Republicans, all of them in theory Protec- tionists. State after State, believed to be Democrat, has thrown out all Democrats, and on Friday the total figures were believed to be 230 Republicans, 118 Democrats, and 8 Popu- lists, who may be best described as Socialist-Democrats. The senate will also contain a Republican majority of 2. Mr. 'Wilson, the author of the reduced Tariff, has been beaten in West Virginia ; two purely Southern States have for the first 'time gone Republican ; and Mr. Bland, the great representative of the free Silver Party, has lost his seat, as have many of his followers. It is alleged that the people are angry because Free-trade was net established; but to elect a Protectionist Parliament is an odd way of promoting Free-trade. We do not believe in that interpretation, and can only imagine that the American people are greatly discontented with the economic situation, which is not satisfactory, and are venting temper on the Government. It must not be forgotten that, under the Constitution, the new Congress can do nothing for two 'years. Until March, 1897, Mr. Cleveland can and will veto -every distinctively Republican Bill.
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