The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-05
WHAT HIT THE pEMocRAcYf

WHAT Hit The DEMOCRACT7
Feeling only an academic interest in
things political after the blow that fell
Tuesday. Democrats may still be par
doned for specializing as TO what real
ly did hit them in the country at large
Recognizing that New York was the
crucial point in the struggle. surface
indications there offered every reason
for confidence I'm Bryan's success. The
event proved that surface enthusiasm
assays little more than a trace of paw
ore when It is tested at the polls If
enthusiasm had been worth anything.
they'd be counting Bryan's votes yet
in New York.
Unfortunately for him. Tammany was
more interested in defeating Hughes
than II was in electing Democratic
president. and apparently traded Bry-
an for Chanler. The trade did not pay
because the Republicans gave Tam
many what ia known in sporting par
lance as the double cross, accepting
Tammany's votes for Taft, but forget
ting TO vote for Chanler in return.
That is part of the explanation but ii
does not account for Taft's overwhelm-
ing plurality.
Then Bryan expected the labor vote
solidly and it went almost unanimous
" for Taft. Evidently the labor ele-
ment feared the Republican threat Of
reduced wages and industrial depres-
sion II the Nebraskan were elected, and
voted accordingly. In addition. the
Republican candidate had the united
support Of the commercial interests
which are always afraid of a change
in policies. he had the trusts and mo-
nopolies behind him with votes and
money. and he had the unquestioned
advantage of Mr.. Bryan i'm a reputa-
tion for experience in governmental af-
fairs and training for executive office.
These factors will, we believe. ex-
plain the general result not only in
New York but throughout the country.
The difference in economic issues be-
tween the two parties did not present
any single striking divergence of
views: the bank guarantee plank was
popular only in agricultural commune
ties: the labor question proved to be
vaiueless as an appeal TO workingmen
and the personal character Of the two
men was so high that 1t did not enter
into the calculation at all.
Some balm 10 the defeated is to be
found in the fact that Taft's election
cannot possibly make financial condi-
tions worse. Sentiment is very pow
erful agent in finance and the moneyed
men OF the country believe Taft Is
much safer than Roosevelt. The grad
nal improvement which has been gath
ering Roadway for some months ought
10 continue. though it Is unlikely any
sudden betterment will follow mis- cleo
ton as predicted by the politicians,
The only notable surprises in the
country are in the state elections. In
diana elected Marshall and voted for
Taft repudiating Watson, the Repub
Foam candidate for governor. who was
m % Speaker Cannoa's pets and whip
Of the house Missouri elected Had
ley. Republican. who is known best by
mis- pursuit of the Standard Oil in the
courts in his capacity as attorney gen
oral of the state Yet Missouri has
Democratic legislature which will prob
ably elect Governor Folk to the SEN
ate
In Kansas Senator Longs friends
have turned on Bristow. who defeated
Ions for denomination. and have prob
ably made the legislature Democratic
Nebraska has paid BRYAN its highest
compliment by voting for him and re-
turning a Democratic legislature This
inevitably suggests the possibility Of
Bryan's election to the senate two years
hence. when Senator Burkett's term
expires. II is not known what Bryan's
plans are or whether he would accept
the Office. but the conjunction or events
IS sure 10 bring his name mp for dis
cussion as the best man for the office.
Finally. the triumph or Johnston in
Minnesota brings him into the lime
light at once as presidential posi-
bnity -Four years seems long time
ahead but Bryan's thire defeat has
eliminated him from the eligibles and
Johnston is the one Democrat before