The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-12-01
THE STAY AT HOME VOTE.

THE STAY At HOME VOTE.
As the returns come in it becomes
evident that the result was due not SO
much to an increasing confidence in the
republican position as to dissatis-
faction among democrats with the
position taken by the democratic
party. While in some cases the dissat-
isfaction led democrats to vote the re-
publican ticket, yet in more cases it led
them to stay at home or refuse to vote
on the national ticket. For instance,
in Illinois Mr.. Roosevelt's vote is only
about $4,000 in excess of Mr.. McKin-
ley's vote four years ago while Judge
Parker's vote is about 100000 less than
the democratic vote in 1900. Thirty
three thousand democratic votes cast
for Mr.. Roosevelt would account for
the republican increase, if it is not &C
counted for by the natural increase in
population, while if that number of dem
ocrats did actually vote for Roosevelt
IL WOulA 0Ulll lCttNC ulOIO Oudu ltO3OOO
votes unaccounted for. The socialist
vote and the populist vote are not yet
obtainable, but it is evident that in 1lli-
nois the democratic party is much
stronger than the returns would indi-
cate, and it only requires straight for
ward, honest fight for reform to bring
out that vote and put the party in fight
ing condition again in that state.
In the state of Indiana eighty-tw out
of ninety-two counties gave Roosevelt
some 900 votes less than Mckinley
had four years ago, while the same
counties gave Parker some $4,000 less
votes than the democratic candidate
had in 1900. Here again it is evident
that the republican strength has not
been largely increased but that the
democratic vote did not come out.
In Iowa the total vote this year is not
as large as it was four years ago. The
Republicans have gained about $4,000
and the democrats have lost about 49,
900. If the entire republican increase
was made up from democratic votes, it
would still leave about 10000 votes un-
accounted for.
In Missouri the indications point in
the same direction. At the time of the
writing of this editorial it is impossible
to obtain the figures from all of the
states, but if the situation in other
states is as it is in the states already
reported, the president cannot regard
the result as personal vindication.
If the loss in the democratic vote is
not Offset by corresponding gain in the
republican vote, the result cannot be
considered as an endorsement of repub-
lican policies but rather as condemna-
ton of the democratic plan of campaign.
This matter will be considered more
at length when the results are all in
but attention is called to the figures
given above as indicating something Of
the situation in the nation. And in this
situation there is encouragement to the
| party. 1t is much easier to so shape
the policy of the party as to bring bacl
dissatisfied democrats than it would b
to convert republicans. There is ever,
promise, therefore, of our party recover
ing in 1908 what it has lost this year
and as the exactions of the great corpo
$ rations become heavier and heavier w
l. can expect an increasing revolt anon
republicans.
Now is the time to plan for 1908! lie
every democrat buckle on his armol
Various means may be employed fo
, spreading democratic doctrine but on
of the best ways is for each democra
to pick out republican among his az
d quaintances and supply him with lite
!. allure. 1t is much easier to make a
! impression upon the voters betwee
elections than it is during the campaign
After national ticket has been nom
!, mated party lines are drawn and conve
siens are more difficult. Let the DEM
Gratis begin now to do their campaig
work. When democrat reads a GOO
: book upon economic questions let hi
loan it to his republican neighbo
: When good speech is made along der
ocratic lines, let each democrat secul
copy for his republican neighbo
Good work can be done also by circ
lating democratic newspapers-tl
?. newspaper being the least expense,
g; form of literature.
= Do not delay. Begin at once. IT
u Commoner.
al
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