Milford chronicle., 1912-03-08
The PARTY OUTLOOK.

appeared to be some doubt of this
The Democrats had been success
full at the nlidterm elections il
securing a majority of the Nationa
House of Representatives, Severa
important States usually Republican
had elected Democratic Governors
There was a threatening Republi
can insurgency, and Democrat
were looking forward, hopefully anC
confidently, to the important elec
tion of this year.
But the situation has greatly
changed. The Democratic majority
in the House upon which was pu
the responsibility of formulating
distinct national policies and deter.
mining the Democratic attitude
toward the great questions involved
in Government legislation and ad-
ministration, has completely failed
to measure up to either its op-
portunity or its duty. 1t has shown
itself utterly lacking in a definite
and intelligent policy in important
matters of concern to the whole
people. 1t has been a disappolnt-
ment to leading factions of its own
party, while its raw and inconsid
crate efforts at tariff revision have
been a menace to the industrial
and material interests of the entire
country.
These conditions have not only
cost the Democratic party the con-
fdence of many of its own voters,
but it has plainly aroused hose Re.
publicans who, by default, permitted
the Democratic victories of two
years ago. Those victories were
not won by accession TO the Dem
Ocratic vote in any important State.
1t was a mOmentary Republican
Indifference, and in many cases due
to local causes and conditions. The
vote which elerted a Democratic
Governor of New York was nearly
200, 900 less than the Republican |
vote of a Presidential year. In ONO |
t was I25.OOO less in Massachuett.,
%, 900 less III the comparatively |
small State of Connecticut IS, COO
ess and in Indiana, electing only
/ minor official, it was $4,000 less
Sven in New Jersey, where the re-
ult was striking, the vote OF the
Democratic candidate for Governor
vas 32 900 loss than the Repubii-
an vote in Presidential year.
These figures do not show Dem
cratic accessions anywhere. They
Indicate merely an cff-year apa thy
4 the dominating party which
lany sometimes be looked for The
enauium began to swing back in
be elections of last year The
Democratic majority in the Legs
lture of New York elected in 1910 I
,as reversed by the election ofIoII.
here has been exactly the same
in New Jersey. While
le election of Republican Cover
OF in Maryland is a significant
nd reassuring evidence that Re
ubllcan voters are ready to retrieve
le failures of two years ago. The !
suit of this years election will
epend largely upon New York, ,,
lhio, Indiana, Illinois, whichever
ay these States 60 will carry the I
ection, and there is no general
now TO turn any of them :
, the Democracy. Three of them Z
ave Democratic Governors all f
hosen on personal and local ac
punt. and tar from the considera !
on Of national issues. New York /
as already reversed that Demo l
-atic verdict, the others have Just |
5 much reason to at the first op-
/
Insurgency in the ranks of the {
epublican party is not to be feared !
ter the national convention has
ade its nomination. The in y
Urgent leaders would control the {
invention if they could, but they d
ave never shown a purpose to os- 7
acise themselves by bolting the r
cket. Such a course, if possible
be taken, would make no i'm t
'ession on the general situation :
nough has been demonstrated to a
Ow that these leaders could not +
rry their followers outside the 4
.rty lines if they were so disposed. Il
'hatever notions insurgency is
sed upon are likely to soon run c,
cir course, as did greeRbackism, Il
e siiverism and populism in their ="
veral periods tc
All the signs, therefore, fiom C
ferent parts of the country point t.
the triumph Of the Republican y; u
rty this yea9 the election of the &c
minee ofthe national convention. hi
CT 1oice is made by the Y
idom Of tha gathering--and the q.
omipation - PresidentA Taft to