Milford chronicle., 1915-12-17
BATTLE WON BY
REPUBLICAN PRESS

Washington, Dec. 5. Especial cores
pondence). 1t is pretty generally rec
0gnized among public men in Washing
ton that the marked increase in Repub
lican strength, as shown by the vote al
the election November End, is very
largely due to the campaign of education
that has been systematially conducted
by Republican newspapers throughout
the country.
This campaign of education has been
conducted under many difficulties and
disadvantages. The National admins
tration, through pledges to a policy of
pitiless publicity, changed to policy of
studied secrecy. 1t has been difficult
for the Republican press to secure in
formation regarding the actual state of
national affairs. Moreover, the COM
plications that arose in foreign affairs,
together with the bereavement of the
President, created widespread and
deep-felt sympathy for President Wilson
among the people of the country, thus
leaving readers of newspapers in a frame
of mind not conductive to an unpre-
JUDGED reading of political discussion.
The Democratic administration has been
favored not only by international con-
troversies but by the personal affairs of
Ehe PRESIDENT himself.
Under this handicap, the Republican
press of the country conducted discus
sion of such national issues as made
quate revenue laws, inefficiency in ad-
ministration. injuries to home industries
through removal of the tariff, overthrow
of the merit system in the civil service,
violation of campaign pledges. misman-
agement of our relations with Mexico,
and the general vacillating and uncer-
tain policyof the national administration.
Without this campaign of education,
which many Republican papers have
pursued so persistently, the result of
the recent election would almost GER
tainly have been favorable to the Demo-
cratic administration. Without that
campaign the faults and policies of the
Democrats would have remained almost
unknown. Without the daily and week /
ly presentation of facts regarding econ !
omic conditions throughout the country,
and the exposure of the real methods of
secretive administration, the American {
voter would not have been able to get !
reliable information upon which to form
his opinions. Without that information,
he would have let his sympathies and
his patriotism lead him to cast his vote
for a party that has proven itself in
competent in administration, unsound !
IN principles, and neglectful of the |
public interest.
Reports that reach Washington from
all parts of the country indicate lively
interest in national political issues and
q spirit of reunion among Republicans.
there is evidence of strong
desire to re-establish Republican prin
.iples and administration, and, though
there is much talk Of candidates, there
S a notable absence of factional or per-
lonal feeling. It is expected that the
victories in the few elections this year
will arouse renewed interest and add
lew zest to the campaign of education
now and the election in Nov
mber, 1916.
1t is evident that Republicans of all
hades of political belief are disposed to
ease fighting each other on minor issues
nd concentrate their efforts in a con-
est against the Democrats on those
rinciples upon which all Republicans
an agree and upon which the perma-
ent prosperity Of the country depends.