Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1910-11-25
RESULT OF
THE ELECTION

RESUL ] OF
THE ELECTION
Comments of newspapers and inli-
viduals on the recent Democratic land
slide as usual show a great diversity of
opinion. The cause of the crushing de-
feat of the Republican party in the
east is explained in various ways, de-
pending largely on the politics of the
explainer. AS to the ultimate signih-
canoe of the swing of the political pen
dulum, all opinions are mere guesses,
but nevertheless such opinions will
have important bearing on the lining
up of political platforms for the cam
paign of 1912
The actual, tangible results of the
election are the attainment of a Dem
ocratic majority in the House of Rep
resentatives and considerable reduc-
ton in the Republican ma ority in the
Senate, also Democratic control for the
next two years of a number of former
Republican states. The control Of
these states will give the Democrats an
advantage in the next campaign, pro-
viding their administration is fairly ac-
ceptable to the people What will re-
suit from Democratic House and a
Republican Senate and President is
problematical. If partisanship rules,
there will be deadlock and no impor-
tant legislation, but it is possible that
a majority of the members may rise a.
bove partisanship and consider meas
ures on their merits, in which case the
interests of the people will stand bet
ter show than with machine managed
party control like that we have wit
messed in the present Congress The
Republican Progressives and a good
showing of progressive Democrats may
| be depended on to pursue patriotic
course, laying aside partisanship in the
interest of the whole people. but it is
doubtful if majority of either party
will be actuated by such high motives.
1t seems significant that Republican
| defeats occurred in states where the
Standpatters controlled; in Maine, the
home of the fosslized Hale, supporter
of ship subsidy; in Massachusetts, re-
presented in the Senate by Lodge, gen
eral all round CRATER; in New York,
where the records of both parties
''smell to high Heaven" in Ohio,
where the Republican bosses main
tanned control of the party in spite of
the efforts of Garfield and his followers
to instill the principles of Progressivism;
in Indiana, where the excellent record
of Senator Beveridge could not save a
machine ridden party, honeycombed
with corruption; in Illinois, malodorous
from the records of Cannon, Lorimer
and "Butterine" Moxey. In the west,
where Progressive Republicans were in
control, Republican majorities were re-
duced but little, if any,
Here in Wisconsin, the home of Pro-
gressivism, was won the most signal
and decisive victory. In spite of the
opposition of the national administra-
ton, and of the Republican national
committee, and the desperate knitting
of the Stalwarts, who represent the
moneyed interests, the Progressive
ticket rolled up majority of $4,000,
triumphantly indicating La Toilette,
the original Insurgent.
The effect of the elections on party
] leaders will be important. Taft can
hardly expect to remain the national
leader after overwhelming defeat even
IN his own state; Aldrich retired volun-
tarily ahead of the storm; Hale and
Lodge are sent to cover loaded with lei
cles; Roosevelt compromised with the
"Old Guard" in New York and was
turned down; Cannon was repudiated
by his supporters in desperate bid for
votes, and so on through the list. In
fact, of all the national Republican
leaders, La Toilette alone comes
through the campaign with flying
coIors and increased prestige. He not
only swept his own state, receiving
nearly to vote at the primaries,
but compelled the opposing parties in
self defense to adopt his political prin-
ciples in their platforms. AS to him,
the election was not simply a vindica-
ton it was an almost unanimous ratifi-
cation.
Under these circumstances it is not
stranue in fact 1t Ia natural that the