The San Francisco call., 1910-11-12
DIR. LYMAN ABBOTT
EXPLAINSELECTION
Editor of Outlook Believes That
Progressives of Both
Parties Won

NEW YORK, Nov. 11.-Dr. Lyman
Abbott, editor of the Outlook. of whicl
Theodore Roosevelt is a contributin.
editor, today gave out his CDR. Abbott's
of the recent election
in an editorial to appea
n the next issue of that publication:
Popular dissatisfaction with
present conditions, especially with
the high prices; indignation at the
manifest control by the special in
terests of the tariff revision and
still more at the defense and euIo-
the corruption and the hypocriti-
cal pretenses disclosed tT, GER
tain influential republican circles,
coupled with the forgetfulness OF
the prosecution were furnished by
republicans; a growing conviction
that there was an alliance between
the special interests and the re-
that the easiest way to hit at 1t
was by voting with the opposition:
Indifference of opinion in an cleo
tion. which, to many voters. ap-
peared to be a contest rather be-
tween persons than between prin-
ciples-an impression which a too
personal campaigning tended to in
crease; a general inclination in
america TO make a change in pO-
litical control from time to time,
an inclination which the political
conditions that prevailed in old
states does much to justify; some
politically effective because wholly
underlined lest the specter of radi-
calism should work havoc to busi-
ness interests; the fact that the
republican party was divided be-
tween the insurgents and the regu-
lor urhi 10 10
freed from the traditions of Cleve-
land and the personality of Bryan,
was. for the first time in years.
united-all these causes combined
helped to bring about a political
revolution.
PROGRESSIVE MAN CHOSEN
But do not believe the election
indicates a reaction and a revolu-
tion. The fact that in every state
except Indiana, where there was a
definite popular insurgent move
ment within the republican party.
that in every state except Penn
sylvania, where, there was no such
mS6eemeGt 6sen fitad within ttn the party or
party failed in the election that
with the single exception of the
senator from Indiana. no senator
who was retired by failure to Sc
cure denomination or reelection
represents the progressive element
in the party; that of the governors
elected a decided majority repre-
sent the progressive rather than
the reactionary element In their
respective parties. including such
representatives Of progressive
thought as Woodrow Wilson on the
Atlantic coast and Hiram Johnson
on the Pacific; that the insurgents
are insurgents no longer. but are
recognized leaders in the republi-
can party-all indicate that the
election. which is a signal triumph
Of the democratic party. Is not a
defeat of progressive principles
and does not indicate a decadence
of the progressive spirit.
PART PLAYED BY ROOSEVELT
Nor do I think that the Jack
O. lantern bugaboo of Mr.. Roose-
velt's imagined monarchical ambi-
tions cut any considerable figure
igi greatest ate falling off in in the her republican
vote was In the state of Pennsyl-
yania, where his voice was not
once heard in the campaign. is
significant IL not conclusive on that
point.
The simple fact is that q. demo-
dicted by both democrats and re-
publicans eight months ago. and
was foreshadowed by the enforced
retirement of Messrs. Aldrich and
Hale from the senate and by the
Maine election In September.
Mr.. Roosevelt was called in to
save the situation; he responded to
the call, but could not turn the
tide. He did something more i'm
portant, he heartened the progress
sjyes in his own party. carried for
Ward in his own state the work
of party publication so we'll be-
gun by Mr.. Hughes and did some
thing to inspire with the spirit OF
genuine and national democratic
progress the party of his political
opponents.