The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-11
DIR. Lyman Abbott Cites Causes
of Republican Losses.
High Prices, Tariff and Wrath
at HypOcritical Pretenses.
PERSONAL ELEMENT.
A Divided Republican Party and
a United Democracy.
Says the Election Does Not In
dicate a Reaction.

New York, Nov. 11.-Dr. Lyman Alb
bott, editor of the Outlook. of which
Theodore Roosevelt is a contributing
editor, today gave out his CDR. Abbott's)
Interpretation of the recent election en-
bodied in an editorial to appear in the
next issue of that publications:
Popular dissatisfaction with present
conditions, especially with the high
prices; indignation at the manifest con-
troll of the special interests of the tar
in revision and still more with the de-
fenses and eulogies of the tariff bill;
wrath at the corruption and hypocr1t1-
cal pretenses disclosed in certain infiu-
entail Republican circles, coupled with
the forgetfulneSS of the fact that the
exposure and the prosecution were fur
nished by Republicans; a growing con-
viction that there was an alliance be-
tween the special interests and the Re-
publican oligarChy, with the belief that
the easiest way to hit at it was voting
with the opposition; indifference in an
election which to many voters, appear
ed to be contest rather between per-
sons than between principles; an I'M
preston which a too personal cam
paigning tended to increase; a general
inclination in America to make a change
in political control from time to time
an inclination which the political con-
ditions that prevailed in old states
does much to justify; some fears in GER
tain quarters, not less politically effec-
tive because wholly underlined, lest the
spectre of radicalism should work havoc
to business interests; the fact that the
Republican party was divided between
the insurgents and the IcSulars while
the Democratic party, freed from the
traditions of Cleveland and the per-
sonality of Bryan, was for the first time
in years, united-all these causes COM
bined to bring about a political reVo-
luton.
Not Reactionary.
"But I do not believe the election
indicates a reaction and revolution.
The fact that in every state except In
diana where there was definite popu-
lar insurgent movement within the Re-
publican party, that party won in the
election; that in every state except
Pennsylvania where there was no such
movement within the party or where it
failed, the Republican party failed in
the election; that with the single ex-
ception of the senator from Indiana
no senator who was retired by failure
to secure either a denomination or
reelection represents the progressive
element in the party; that of the gov
ernors elected a decided majority
represent the progressive rather than
the reactionary element in their re-
spective parties including such repre-
sentatives 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 as leaders
in the Republican party-all indicate
that the election, which is a signal tri-
umph of the Democratic party is not
a defeat of progressive principles and
does not indicate a decadence of the
progressive spirit.
RooseveIt's Part in 1t.
"Nor do I think that the jack O.
lantern bugaboo of Mr.. Roosevelt's s
claimed monarchial ambitions cut any
considerable figure in the election. The
fact that the greatest falling off in the
vote was in the state of Pennsylvania
where his voice was not heard in the
campaign is significant if not conclu-
sive on that point.
"The simple fact is that Demo-
cratic triumph was publicly predicted
bv both Democrats and Republicans
eight months ago, and was foreshad-
owed by the enforced retirement of
Messrs. Aldrich and Hale from the SEN
ate and by the Maine election in Sep
tember.
''Mr. Roosevelt was called in to save
the situation; he responded to the call
but could not turn the tide. He did
something more important, he heart
ened the progressives in his own party,
carried forward in his own state the
work of party publication so we'll be-
gun by Mr.. Hughes and did something
to inspire with spirit of genuine and
national democracy the party of his
political opponents"