Milford chronicle., 1915-12-03
REPUBLICAN PARTY united.

The return of Progressives to the Re-
publican fold was very strongly lndlca-
ted in the elections of 1914 and is conclu-
sively proven by the count of votes in
1915. Democrats who try to explain
away the results of the vote on Novem-
ber 2 on the theory that local and not
national issues were involved, fail to
take a broad view of the whole situation
and disregard the drift of events from
1912 down to date. All the signs show
that the people regard the tariff as the
main issue and that Progressives see no
way to restore this country to sound
economic principals except to reunite
with the Republican party.
No test that has arisen furnishes any
evidence of Progressive party strength
anywhere-East or West. On the con-
trary, the progressive vote has fallen off
everywhere, both at the polls and in the
primaries.
The Progressive ticket in 1912 was
successful in six States-California
Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania,
South Dakota and Washington. In 1914
there was no test of Progressive
strength in Minnesota or South Dakota,
while in the other four States there was
a Progressive slump, in most cases
amounting to a catastrophe, accom-
panied by Republican gain of impress
sive proportions. The figures tell the
story thus:
In California in 1914 there was a Pro-
gressive slump of more than $4,000
votes; the Republican gain exceeded
$50, 000 The recent defeat of Hiram
Johnson's non-partissn election bills is
another indication of return to Repub |
licanism and recognition of the clear cut
issue between the principles of that
party and the policies Of the Democratic
party.
In Michigan, at the last voting, the
Progressives fell off more than 180, 900;
the Republicans gained 109, 900.
In Pennsylvania, on the vote for
United States Senator in 1914, the Pro-
gressives lost more than 178,000; the
Republicans gained nearly 240, 900.
In Washington the Progressives fell
of more than 90, 900 votes; the Repub-
lieans gained more than 10000.
In Kansas Mr.. MurdOck' S vote in 1914
was more than 5000 votes less than
Roosevelt's S in 1912, while his Republican
competitor won the toga by gaining
nearly 102, 900 votes more than Taft had.
Senator Curtis made his campaign on
the tariff issue alone.
Illinois is another State where the
Progressives have claimed large
strength. Let US see. In the Senator
lal election of last year the Progressive
candidate in Illinois fell off more than
l83, 600 votes, while the Republican
candidate gained more than 1877, 900.
Colorado. too has been held up as
Progressive stronghold. Yet the Pro-
gressive loss there in 1914 was over as,
700 and the Republican gain was more
than 10000.
If the election of 1915 stood alone as
an indication of the trend of public SEN
hment, there would be little room for (
doubt, but, when taken in connection
with the changes that took place in 1914,
there is no question whatever as to pub
lie opinion in this country. Efforts to
save the Democratic party by appeals to
patriotism misrepresentation regard
ing the economic condition of the country
of treasury statistics
attempted evasion of accountability for '
extravaganza and inefficient administra- s
tion-all these have failed to fool the
American people. "Pitiless publicity" '
has had a measure of effect, in spite of |
he Democratic policy Of concealment.
The voters know what they want and ,
how to get it.