Evening journal., 1910-03-28
MONDAY, MARCH. % 1910
rHE DEMocRATIc CHANCE.

~ OMMENTING on the recent election ~
~ the Fourteenth Congressional District Of
Massachusetts, which resulted in the defeat OF
the Republican candidate by a large majority,
the Bridgeport, Conn, Post, independent
newspaper, thinks that the situation presents an
opportunity for the Democrats provided that
party does not allow itself to be captured by the
very elements which the Republican masses arc
trying to drive from their ranks"
1t seems to be the consensus of opinion that
after giving due consideration TO the local COM
pcations in the Massachusetts, election, dissatis-
faction over the conduct of affairs at Washing
ton was the controlling cause of the defeat OF
Mr. Buchanan the Republican nominee In
fact the defeated candidate himself said as much;
Admitting this to be true, the doubt expressed
bv the Post will lodge in the minds OF many.
There is little reason to believe that IN many
states things would be different with the Demo
Gratis in power,
AT Washington, Democratic success would
OF course, mean deadlock so far as legislation
was concerned. A Democratic lower house
might be in position to suggest legislation, but
il would not have the authority or power 20
enact its suggestions. And if it had such power
unless the party has radically changed-and the
hasco made by the Democrats during the tariff
debate does not indicate that it has changed
there would be Democratic response to the
demands OF the people. The only apparent re-
suit of Democratic victory in the Congressional
elections would be the registering of protest
against the kcpuDncan ADMINISTRATORS
In some states, Delaware and Maryland for
cxample,the return of the Democrats to full or
partial power has not been followed by the enact
ment of progressive legislation such as the
people are calling for The Democratic house
at Dover gave no evidences OF disposition for
reform and the result of Democratic control OF
the Levy Court of Kent county has been in oppo-
siton to the progress that people have wanted.
There have been no reforms such as the voters
during the campaign eXpectedAnd in this state
with the chief mouthpicce of the Democrats
decidedly reactonary and bitterly opposed to
the ideas for which Mr. Roosevelt stands it is
almost certain that Delaware would not take a
step forward with the Democrats in power.
So, too. 1t Is in Maryland. The Legislature
there is about - adjourn without having accom-
plished the things that were promised Plat
form pledges of the party remain unfulhlled, and
there is talk of calling special session OF the
Maryland legislature to sec if the promises ol
tho party cannot be made good
The only thing on which the Democrats seem
TO be decided is partisan legislation to disfran
chise the negro voters A primary law and tho
1 public utility commission bill have fallen by th'
~eAwaysidc.
\Altogether there is little hope that Democrats
Other, than reactionares would be in control II
many states should the Democrats win. Th
chances, therefore, seem to be that il we arc {,
have legislation in response TO the present-da,
demands, such legislation will come through
either the Republican party or some other par.,
that will appear if the Republican party fails T.
meet the issues.
But the chances arc nine TO one that thes
issues will be met by the Republican party an
those leaders who do not see the handwriting o
the wall viii be severely iolted until they d
see II.