Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-11-24

build up another radical party, at
least as concerned that campaign,
was futile. The democrats had beat
en- him to the band wagon. Had
Roosevelt been able to radicalize
the republican party there is little
reason to question that the democ-
racy would have gone conservative
and would not now be in possession
of the government.
1t was still a conservative organ
ization that the republican party
made such notable gains at the polls
the other day. The election returns
were not misleading when they car
ried the names of Penrose, CALM
ger. Cannon, Mckinley, Curtis and
Wadsworth, all republican leaders
firmly identified with the cOnserva-
tive idea. 1t was plain that the
electorate was dissatisfied with con-
ditions prevailing under the demo-
cratic administration. Some of these
conditions may have been due to the
1 war. Some may have been due to
other things. The electorate didn't
stop to figure it out. 1t saw there
was a new radical administration in
Washington-an administration that
had lowered the tariff and got after
the trusts. That this had been done
in response to strong popular de-
mand cut no figure. Merchants out
of business and men out Of work
proceeded to hold the radical admin
istration responsible for existing
conditions. They had no disposition
to try out another radical party.
They hunted up the high tariff par
ty-the most conservative party
they could Finland they put con-
siderable enthusiasm into a concert
ed effort to restore it to power.
How about 1916? The party
alignment and prospects in that
year will depend upon what happens
in the meantime. If commercial and
industrial conditions should con-
tinue as they are or become worse,
the republican party could remain
conservative and win in walk.
That it would remain conservative
in such circumstances goes without
saying. On the other hand if bust
ness should be booming in 1916
with the war ended or our commerce
adjusted to it, the popular grievance
against the democratic party would
have vanished. The reduced tariff
would have been given an alibi. The
currency law would have become
democratic asset. The trusts would
have found themselves uninjured by
democratic regulations. In that case
the advantage would be with the ad-
ministration and the republicans
would have no basis for conserva-
tive campaign. 1t would be up to
them to become as progressive as
possible and put up the best fight
they knew how. 1t probably would
be a losing one with the best Of
luck.
Is there any chance for the Roose-
welt third party again to assume po-
litical Importance? Some of its op-
timistic supporters can see glim-
mer of hope. 1t is based on the pro-
liability that Wilson will become too
conservative for the radicals of his
party: that the democratic radicals
will be driven into cooperation with
the republican radicals under the
leadership Of Roosevelt. There would
seem to be very slim possibility Of
such development. If President
Wilson and the democratic leaders
know their business they will take
things pretty easy for the next two
years. Their progressive record Is
made. They can we'll afford to pursue
a policy of watchful waiting while
} the seed they have planted is COM
ing up, and while the effect of the
war upon American affairs is slow
lily becoming manifest. After the
radicals and conservatives of the
democratic party have come so far
under the presidents leadership
without falling out, the rest of the
going until 1916 ought to be easy.
Manicure goods in great variety