The Washington times., 1915-11-03
THE ELECTION RESULTS

No measure of analysis and ex-
PLANTATION can blink the outstanding
fact that the Republicans made
highly significant gains in the cleo
tions yesterday. If there had been
elections in all the States, and #
the same ratio of Republican gains
that was demonstrated in the small
group Of States that had pollings
had been projected over the whole
country, the outcome would have
been most suggestive indication
of political tendencies; and they
would have been tendencies away
from the party now in national
power. The anti-Democratic move
ment began with the election a year
ago, and in order to appraise ac-
curately the Significance. /. Of yester-
days outcome it must be viewed in
connection with that Of a. year
earlier, as part of cumulative per-
formance.
Democratic policies now almost
three years on trial have pretty
completely brought back unity to
the old Republican party. In 1912
Massachusetts gave Wilson 173,OO0,
Taft $4,000, and Roosevelt $4,000
votes. So late as 1914 Walsh, DEM
ocrat, polled 100000 against 10000
for the Republican, and $4,000 for
the Progressive candidate for gov
ernor. This year Mccall. old-line
Republican. sweeps the State.
Kentucky in 1912 gave Wilson
219-000, Taft $4,000, and Roosevelt
102, 900 votes. There was shown a
Republican split that permitted Mr..
Wilson to take the electoral vote by
over 100000 plurality; while this
year the State is so close that early
returns made it doubtful. though
Democratic victory by a close mar
gin was later indicated. Kentucky
is once more a close State.
New Jersey in 1912 gave Wilson
17S,00o, Roosevelt 145,O00, and Taft
$4,000 votes. Two wears later it was
carried by Fielder, Democrat, for
governor, with $4,000 to 100000
for the Republican, and al 900 for
the Progressive candidate. This
year the Republicans elect two
thirds of the lower branch of the
legislature, and half of their can
didates for the upper branch. The
State, in short, is swung back into
the Republican column, though there
was no governor to be elected.
Like analysis of other results
shows the same general conditions,
all pointing to the conclusion that
the Republican party is once more
substantially unified in anticipation
Of the national test of strength next
year.
The factors that have brought
this result are varied, and will be
variously weighted in the judgments
OF different students of their mean
ing. The election of year ago
demonstrated revulsion against
the tariff policy of the Democracy
and the outcome this year accentu-
ates the evidence of that sentiment.
lnasmuch as war conditions have
to some extent modified temporarily
and only temporarily-the effects
that would normally have flowed
from the operation of the Under
wood schedules, the increasing
force of the Democratic move
ment at the present time must be
ascribed to disaffection with the
Mexican and European policies of
the Administration. With the coun-
try giving such signs of displeasure
with so many and vital policies of
the dominant party, it must REQUIRE
a good deal of assurance to insist
that the President, author of these
policies, is so much stronger than
his party that he still has a chance
Of Endorsement by the country a
year hence.