Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-07-25
To Make Favor With the Progress.
Sives.
TR0at0n Heraldl

SlNCSs
Boston Herald.)
Have you noticed how assiduously the
Democracy is cultivatipg the Progress
siyes, and how eager appear it's press
agents to make an exhibit of success in
doing so? We read of the Presidents
ceaseless vigilance in behalf of a child
labor law wholly antsgonistie to the
southern states but seemingly nee
essary to secure Progressive support.
He made trip to the Capitol on a hot
day to round up his friends, in behalf of
that measure, and the newspapers could
not fail to take note of such an exhibition
of zeal.
We read this morning of the Presi-
dents warm appreciation of the efforts
Of Congressman Kent, an independent
Progressive from California, in behalf of
the Democracy. The latest nominee for
the supreme court was billed from the
White House as conspicuous in Progress
sive lines. Wherever the slightest sign
appears of any Progressive support,
President Wilson goes after it with an
avidity that is unmistaksble. And he Is
the strategy OF the Democratic party in
the pending campaign.
The reason for this lurch toward the
Moose Is clear. The President must get
a considerable fraction of the Progressive
vote of four years ago in order to carry
any of the debstable states of the North.
This fraction varies in the different
states, but il is nowhere small. And the
Progressive ship has already been
launched in Republican waters. The at
titude Of Roosevelt alone would pretty
nearly mean that. The activity, besides,
of his intimate friends, like Mr.. Charles
Sumner Bird In our own state, makes
clear where the great bulk of the Pro-
gressive vote will find Judgment. And
the Democrats are right in thinking that
unless they get some of it their cause is
hopeless. Figures explain the situation
better than anything else.
In the great and pivotal state of New
York, Mr.. Wilson polled 655, 900 votes in
1912 That number of men would ordi-
narily like to vindicate the judgment
they then expressed by voting for him
this>time. Concede that support as a
starter There were Asa, 900 persons In
that state who voted for Taft. These
unwavering Republicans are pretty sure
to vote for Hughes. He then needs
100000 votes more to overtake the Wilson
total But the progressives polled with
In 10, 900 votes of 10000, or twice the
number necessary TO turn the scale.
Where are these going? Hughes needs
to get but little more than half of them
to carry the state, snd-presumably-to
carry the nation. And yet from all
present evidences be will get from 10 to
80 per cent. OF these 1912 Progressives.
The situation is not unlike that in
other states. Take our own Massachu-
sets, for instance. Here Mr.. Wilson
polled ia, 900 votes, and Mr.. Taft 1861
900. Let US suppose that Wilson and
Hughes start ont this time with these
totals, or with margin Of advantage for
the Democratic candidate Of $4,000. But
how like cockleshell In storm would
be that margin in the face Of the 142, 900
Progressive votes which await dis,ribu-
ton.
There will be few irreconcilables, like
John NJ. Parker of Louisiana, who are
call dressed up with no place to CO."
Aud President Wilson will catch few
OF the Progressives. But 1t is automatic
that the great bulk of the AZ. 1000, fol-
lowing all of their recognized leaders
from Roosevelt down, will vote for Mr..
Hughes. II he got 90 per cent. of them,
he would still carry the state. He is
more likely to get 80 per cent.
So the figures run in state after state.
In Mr.. Wilson's own New Jersey he
polled 80, 900 more votes than did Taft,
but there was Progressive support of
AS, 900 now awaiting relocation. Does
anyone doubt that the Republican candi-
date will get enough of 1t to give him a.
majority? Does anyone doubt that
among the 90, 900 votes which New Jer-
sey gave the Republican and Progressive
candidates, Mr.. Hughes will get
enough to exceed the 17S,000 which Mr.. |
Wilson pollsd?
Therefore, when you ace the President
straining every nerve, as he has done
ever since the conventions, to appeal for
Progressive support through his public |
activities, and by his appointments; and |
when you see the Democratic press
agents picturing with fsrvor every phase
of the campaign which suggests even re-
mote friendlinsss Of the Progressives for
the President, you will do well to re-
member that only by making q good
showing In that direction have the Dem
ocrats the slightest chance Of success.
They had hoped to keep In power for
some years, through sustained dlsrup-
ton Of the Republican party. But that
has ceased. The contending factions OF
1912 are together again, and hence the
exceedingly moderate outlook for Mr..
Wilson's success, as the campaign now
opens.