The representative., 1900-11-22
SHOULD THE SOUTH LEADs

SHOULD THE SOUTH LEADs
In another column appears an inter-
esting and suggestive letter from ex-
Gov. Waite.
In the historic part of his letter one
finds much that should serve Is guide
to the future progress of reform. It is
always well to contemplate the mistakes
of the past and to learn from them les
sons for the future. and we believe Mr..
Waite has correctly pointed out many Of
the mistakes heretofore made by re-
formers.
It is when he reaches the matter OF
suggestion for future action that he
seems to us to offer a suggestion that
would prove to be a mistake as great as
any he recounts.
He suggests that we make exCon-
gressman Howard and 10 A. Parker the
presidential and vice-presidentia nomi-
nees of new and revitalized reform
movement and thus virtually make the
South the whole thing.
In this suggestion it seems to us that
several very important factors have been
ignored.
We do not believe it good generalship
to select both candidates from the same
section, and such error would be aggra-
waited by selecting the candidates from
a section small as the South and con-
tanning SO small percentage of the ma
tons population.
Again, we believe it would be q great
mistake to go into Democratic strong
hold for both candidates with which to
defeat Democracy.
Democrats, If they expected to defeat
Republicans, would not seek a candidate
in the bred-in-the-bone Republican state
of Vermont.
Neither would Republicans select their
candidates from states always solidly
Democratic. We think it should be
obvious that successful candidates Of
any party should come from close or
doubtful states.
While it is true that sectional ami
mosities growing out of the war have
largely disappeared, it is equally true
that the Northern people as a whole
have not such perfect confidence in the
South as to be wholly satisfied to turn
over the destinies of the nation entirely
to Southern men.
Among the rank and file it is probable
that more Republicans than Democrats
could be found who have a leaning to-
ward scientific money, and public owner
ship of public utilities, and direct legis-
lation as a means to those ends. Nc
Kinleys election demonstrates that Re-
publicans outnumber the Democrats,
and if we are to expect recruits to the re-
form ranks, it follows that we should
expect more from Republican sections
than from Democratic states.
Since the war neither old party has
dared to stake results on candidates
both of whom came from the South, and
we think their reasons are obvious and
we'll founded.
faithful, energetic and efficient chair
man, 10 A. Parker, and we know that
Mr.. Howard, Col. Burkitt, Milton Park
Paul Dixon and score more true and
loyal reformers belong to the Southland
any one of whom would grace national
reform ticket, but this would be quite
different from putting two of them to-
gether on the same ticket Winning re-
form candidates must, in our judgment,
come from states somewhat central, one
from the central South and one from the
middle West, and a united and mighty
struggle then be waged against the plu-
tocratic Northeast.
Mr.. Waite's letters always receive
close attention from our readers, and we
are glad to place his views where they
may get attention.
We hope other prominent reformers
will offer suggestions. We must all
study out these problems and give to the
craft the results of our thought.
Many minds are better than one, and
we shall need them all combined before
we shall prevail against the mighty COM
bine of dollars now ruling this nation
E. A. Il.