Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-08
SEE A HARD FIGHT AHEAD
Several Eastern States Placed in
Doubtful Column.
OHIO Is FIGHTING GROUND
Both Republicans and Democrats
Profess to Find Comfort in
Yesterdays Voting.


election results upon the coming presi-
dental campaign was the principal con-
sideration today of politicians who dis
cussed the outcome.
The deepest significance of the verdict
at the polls yesterday as the see it,
lies In the essential fact that Massa-
chusetts. New York. New Jersey and
Maryland are to be regarded as doubtful
states in the next presidential and con-
gressional campaign.
They cannot be claimed by either party:
they will have to be fought for. and this
means. in the opinion of politicians here,
that the seat of war in that campaign
will not be in the middle west, but in the
east. The electoral vote of these four
states will be necessary to victory. and it
is now shown that they cannot be counted
as safe for either the democratic or re-
publican candidates.
Means Lots of Work.
1t means. according to the Views held
here, unremitting work upon the part OF
the political managers from now until
next election day and the pouring into
those states of the utmost resources and
the expenditure of the last ounce of en-
deavor by the contesting parties.
UnquestiOnably the republicans are
much heartened and encouraged by their
gains. but by the same token the demo
Gratis will be spurred to renewed activ-
ieF, to greater harmony. SO 1t will be a
staud-off in the practical effects, and the
east remains debatable ground.
Another significant feature of the re-
suit. in the opinion of politicians. is that
Ohio becomes more doubtful, while Ken
| taro okxy &c 0yHynn ovS<1 hot
class and placed safely In the democratic
column. So the republican gains in the
east are In measure Offset by disad.
vantages in those two states.
Democratic politicians today were very
much elated over the result in Massachu
setts. They construed the reelection OF
Gov. Foss, with the election of the repub
licah candidate for lieutenant governor, te
be direct indorsement Of the democratic
tariff theory. accentuated by the election
goyefnor.
Term It Tariff Victory.
As they analyzed this feature, the old
line republicans returned to their party
allegiance for the lesser state officers
but gave their verdict for tariff reduction
in the vote for the head Of the ticket
Foss. They say that the republicans car
not claim that factional party differences
hurt their candidate. and that the ma
jor:ty for Foss was clean-cut tariff re-
In New York. where the republicans re-
gained control of the legislature, the re-
suit is declared by the politia ians to have
been a return to form. That Is to say
the republicans who last year expressed
their resentment over the treatment OF
the "old guard by voting the democratic
ticket have returned to their allegiance.
To this influence must be added the Op-
position to Tammany and rebuke of Tam
T1any's efrort to secure = closer hoi l Upon
the. state administration through cooper.
alton with Gov. Dix. But, In the opinion
OF politicians here, yesterdays vote came
far short Of showing that New York car
be safely counted In the republican COL
umn in the next election. The verdicts o:
1910 and 1911 leave the outcome in 19l.
moot question. dependent upon the good
behavior of the two parties. upon the ef.
facement of Tammany from state affairs
and upon the candidates and platforms in
the presidential race
Where Democrats Disagreed.
In New Jerseys vote the politicians see
only one th!ng-the pendulum swinging
back to conservatism as against radical
ism. It was contest between the old
guard and the progressives in both par
ties There was the additional element OF
factionalism in the democratic party-the
only example in the country OF failure OF
harmony among the democrats.
That consideration admonishes the re-
publicans, 1T is declared, not to be toe
cocksure in 1912. Because the followers
OF former Senator James Smith, jr., and
ex-State Chairman Nugent saw fit to re-
buke Gov. Wilson for Smiths defeat 70,
the Senate does not mean, 1t Is sad, that
the two democratic wings may not pull
together In the next election If a suitable
democratic candidate for President is
nominated.
Thus. New Jersey. in the opinion OF
fair-minded poll .ticians In Washington
takes her place In the ranks Of doubtful
states in the presidential campaign next
year. The most satisfaction the repub.
licans secure out Of the vote yesterday is
in the election OF William j. Browning tC
Congress in the first district. The con.
test there was a straightaway tariff fight
and the district appears to have returned
to its former allegiance to protection.
Maryland a battle-ground.
Neither do the republicans propose tc
count too blindly upon the gains in Mary.
land. They know full well that the grea,
Independent vote in Baltimore was in.
tent upon rebuking admitted scandals ir
the democratic party. and republican.
will have next year to confront a chas
tened democratic party. with great ma
tional issues at stake, not obscured BY
| local questions. Maryland will be 8
storm center in the next campaign.
While political managers do not take
off-year municipal campaigns as an in.
fallible index of the trend upon nationa
questions, the political observers here
cannot help but perceive significance in
the four great cities Of Ohio-Cincinnati
Cleveland. Columbus and Toledo-rollins
up democratic majorities in the mayor
| atty election.
| They say 1t certainly indicates the pres
ence of democratic sentiment in thes.
| centers OF population, whatever the loca
issues may have been, and the most un
biased among them admit that Ohio ma,
be classed as a doubtful state in the mex
election.
Kentucky has had ups and downs of re
cent years, and has been regarded as {
doubtful border state. but the over
whelming democratic victory of yesterday
viii be certain, It Is thought to discour
i age republican effort there next year.
/ Fire T.nss SQk0 0(10 in p;ffehnruh