Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1906-11-18
THE INDEPEN- HM
DENT VOTE,
AND 1T EFFECTs IN FASTENING
TARIFF REVISION.

Consideration of the results of the
November elections throughout the
country disturbs the first impression
of general political contentment
There are no revolutionary changes.
no distinct drift in one direction or
the other. and the republican ma
jority in Congress. though reduced.
Is not imperiled. But in nearly
every state there is indication of the
weakening of party lines and of the
development of large Independent
vote that is not securely attached
to either party, as now constituted
and that has been powerful enough
to influence IL not to determine these
elections. 1t seems to be agreed now
THAT the democrJs have carried
New York upon the greater part OF
the state ticket, though Hearst is
decisively beaten for governor.
Hughes was thus evidently elected
by democratic voters. though the
conservative New York densoerats
who voted for him are those least
likely to express sympathy with pres
ent republican policies They are
certainly not "stand patters," and
probably are not to be classed as
Roosevelt men. Their rveolt was
against the recent control of the
democratic party. The division in
Massachusetts, was on. very similar
lines, while New Hampshire exhibits
enough republicans in revolt from
their party machine to wipe out the
party majority for governor. The
democratic gains i'm New Jersey are
likewise due in large degree to the
independent opposition to Senator
Dryden, who stands for the very
things to which Hughes, in New York,
represented the most determined OBJ
position. If we consider this whole
group of eastern states, we must con
clude that neither national party has
gained any clear advantage in the
elections, but that the future of each
is shown to be dependent upon its
winning back the independent vote
1t has driven from it.
A similar condition of party weak.
ness is shown in the West. Such q
striking instance as that of Minnesota
electing a democratic governor by a
large majority, while the republican
candidates for the other state Offices
were successful. illustrates the pre-
vailing Indifference to party authori
ty or mere party success. In many
states the local elections seem to
have been even less controlled by a
consideration of natural policies than
in pennsylvania, but the COMPRESSION.
al elections in the West, especially
in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin
point equally to a prevailing indecis-
ion, as though public opinion were
in state of solution and awaiting
an occasion to crystalize upon new
lipes.
So conservative an observer as
senator Cullom of Illinois, interprets
these western elections, with the loss
of seats in the House, as expressing
dissatisfaction with that attitude OF
the majority party on which Penn
sylvania republicans most relied I'm
their defense against independent
attack. Mr.. Cullon recognizes That
If the tariff was not an issue in this
election IL will be I'm the next. unless
his party anticipates IT by Immediate
steps for revision. It would surprise
no one If this should prove Mr..
Roosevelt's view as well, and II the
president, with republican Con
gress- assured, should very early bring
this subject to its consideration. Hay-
ing deprived the democrats of the
issue of the trusts" II he could
lisewise deprive them of the issue of
the tariff the lines upon which they
could reunite before another genera
election are not now apparent.
Meanwhile the independent voters
are likely to maintain their indepen-
dence In increasing numbers. They
are doing good work everywhere in
cleaning up" the state and local
parties, and neither party can AFFORD
to disregard their strength, as this
months elections everywhere have
shown. and 1t is not unlikely that in
the next national election. as I'm many