The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1912-11-01

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sachusctts. ny into Vermont (wbore he
visited the birthplace OF his fathct),
then over into New Hampshire and
back again 20 Beverly. Tho President
spoke 10 many gatherings on the way,
but had little or nothing to say about
ottics or the campaign. lie was cor
daily greeted and large crowds turned
out to see him az many plnccs.
In the minds OF many onlookcrs in
the political scrimmage. there Is much
doubt whether the campaign will have
the proverbial whirlwind finish" this
time. Everybody has been bracing him
self for that event, but somehow or
other there is less Of disposition this
year for that great and overpowering
final spurt.
The lack of campaign funds may
have something to do with il; the
WEAKNESS of the general public with
political discussion also may have
bearing. Bnt, any way, if there is to
be "whirlwind finish" to the ma
tional campaign it will come very late
and be very brief. In most campaigns
the final yield of contributions comes
in about the middle of October. Much
of this product is available for whoop-
ing it up in the scores of ways that
considerable money makes possible.
But none of the parties has surplus
of funds, ard about all that can be
scraped together will be required to
foot the bills for printing and adver-
tising and for the expenses of the
orators.
Newspaper Advertising.
1t is becoming more and more a
question whether the voters can be
reached and finally persuaded nova
days at the very fag end of cam
paign. There is more reading matter
than ever, and it is carefully designed
to reach every class and kind of read
ers. In this campaign the tendency has
been steadily toward more and more
advertising in the newspapers. The
| national chairman has become con-
WINGED that it is very sure and salts
factory way of getting arguments be-
| fore the voters 1t seems to be more
effective than to distribute money
among the workers to make a big
noise.
OF course, there are many candidates
for local affices in numerous States
wh1 are making the welkin ring. These
seem to be arousing more of hubbub
throughout the country than the ma
tional candidates, but, of course, Wash
ington hears less about them. The con-
gressional campaign-Republican, Dem
ocratic and Bull Moose-appears to
have been and to be lifeless, compared
with what congressional campaigns
have been in former years. Few of
the contests for seats in the house ap-
pear to be commanding national atten-
tion. The fight for the Presidency
probably has overshadowed the fight
for the house and the senate. 1t should
not be surprise if these congressional
contests come into little more promi
nence toward the close of October.
The gubernatorial campaigns, too,
will wax into contests of great moment,
with the one in New York, as ever,
holding chief attention. Sulzer and
Hedges and Straus are all out upon
the hustings, speaking to the capacity
of their respective lungs. The gov
ernorship of the Empire State is the
biggest political prize to strive for in
this campaign, saving only the Presi-
, dency, and the candidates for the chief
seat at Albany may well exert them
selves to the limit in vote getting.
One hears it said by some people who
have information, that if the election
J
stead of in November. President Taft IS
} chances would nightly improve. No
: one can tell, of course, Just how truth
ful prophecy that is, but it seems to
have much substance. A great many
voters undoubtedly went over to Roose-
, welt in the earlier stages of the cam
paign. It seems to be quite as certain
that gradually they have been straying
hack to the fold. These shifting move
4 ments in popular sentiment require time.
e They are not accomplished over night.
2 G.. o. P. Slowly Recovering.
The Republican national committee's
machinery did not get to working well
till early in October. Much of it has
been shattered and impaired by the
events of the summer and early autumn.
+ A terrible strain had been put upon it
J. by the great hurrah that Roosevelt
: raised at Chicago in June and later by
his agitation over charges that the
$ nomination had been stolen from him
e 1t required days and weeks to recover
D from such a shock, for, after all, Roose-
= welt is an ex-President of the United
Q States and the very fact of his station
y has influence with great numbers of peo-
pie.
/ But his followers have now had op-
portunity to cool oil. After thinking
e and listening to the other side of the
9 story, the situation takes on different
IS aspect. The hold of party ties becomes
|, more effective and there is less disposi-
l. ton to break with old political friends
u for good. For months and months, the
/ President 's friends have been appealing
C to the people to give his administration
e fair consideration. These appeals have
y been put out in many forms and have
l. been emphasized much by speakers.
(. II takes some time to get the atten-
u tion of the United States when atten-
a tion has been diverted to something
s. else. Ninety millions OF people are not
l. easily brought to consider a PROPOSE
N tion in a new light, after demagogues
7 and shouters have been putting diff
ferent Interpretation upon it.
And yet in the long run the people are
likely to turn to the right view. The