Evening journal., 1909-06-03
Thursday, June 3, 1909
RFPUBLIcANS SHOULD VOTE.

II HE result of the election in this city on
h Saturday depends not so much on which
party has the greater number of followers in the
cty-assuming that every citizen voted-but
which party can get out the larger percentage of
its followers. AS the Republicans have bet
ter organization than the Democrats, it is fair
to presume that the Republicans will win by
safe majority. The coming election does not
seem TO have aroused among the mass of the
people much interest The Republicans have
had the better of it so far as the public con-
Germ has been manifested. They had a very
good turn out at the reception at the Young
Mems Republican Club which would indicate
that large percentage of the Republican vote
will be at the polls on Saturday One of the
Democratic organizations-.the Democratic
League, is to hold a belated reception to the
Democratic candidates tonight.
There has been little speech making in the cam
paign The orators have not been turned loose
to any extent. We sometimes wonder what is
the matter with our politics. Where are the
enthusiastic young men with marching clubs and
banners, and music, and red fire, that years ago
were only too happy 10 make a demonstration
for their favorites? Have they gone for good or
will they turn out only upon extraordinary oc-
casions? We had them in grand parades of both
parties last autumn and perhaps it will take four
years more before they can be aroused to the
same energy and enthusiasm.
From what may be called the lack of inter
est in the present campaign, it may be assumed
that the people are satisfied with the present
administration of affairs in the city They are
at least sufficiently satisfied not to make a very
vigorous objection. The Republicans have a
ticket composed of the young blood" of the
party. The candidates were nominated easily,
and there has been no statement or claim that
they did not win fairly Hence there can be
no reasonable objection on the part of Republi-
cans to supporting the ticket of their party
At first some interest was promised by the
Democrats in the campaign, but the Democratic
opponents Of the Democratic organization--if
we may call the coterie of Democratic leaders
who have their own way in the party in this
city an organizaton--soon realized that it would
be useless to buck against the organization.
Mr.. O'Neall, after lively canvass for the nomi-
nation for president Of City Council learned
that fact-the fact that Mr.. Ford and his friends
were able to control the Democratic party
against all comers, and that Water Department
methods would be the methods of the entire city
should the Democrats win.
When this fact became established, what lit
tie concern the Democrats had in the campaign
seemed to vanish. OF late the Democrats
through their mouthpece, have been trying TO
inject some life into the Democratic end of the
campaign. The Democratic claim is that there
Is only chance guess-that the Democratic
administration would be an improvement over
that of the Republicans.
The Democrats may criticise the Republican
administration, but has it not been even at the
worst as good as any administration that the
Democratic ticket could offer? Many of the
Democrats have fought consistently against pro-
gressive legislation. It was the chief organ of
the Democrats that fought the initiative and
referendum and all other suggestions to give
the people a more direct voice in the affairs Of
the city-home rule Certain influential Demo
Gratis have opposed all progressive legislation
it affects municipalities and corporations in
their relations to municipalities. Mr. Taylor
has stood for these reforms We see no reason
why he should not, II elected Mayor, fill that
position in satisfactory manner. He is young
and ambitions with a desire to make name for
himself If he follows progressive lines, he will
find open 10 him new political paths.
The tendency in municipal government 4
toward business methods and the party that fol
lows such methods will secure and retain con
troll OF city government In the Democratic
ticket we see nothing to lead us to believe that
the Democratic ticket is in any way in advance
Of that of the Republicans. Progressive Leeis
lation will have 10 come from the Republicans II
the future as 1t has come from them in the past
There are other reasons why the Republican.
should turn out in force on Saturday vii
mington Republicans should show the Republi
cans OF the State that they are alive and alert
that they thinking Of the campaign of mex
year; that they will be ready for that importan
contest when it comes. Republicans. therefore
should go to the polls on Saturday and supper
the ticket A Democratic victory means vic
tory for Mr.. Ford and the Democrats who trai
with him.