Denver labor bulletin., 1916-11-25
The Presidential Election
By sToUeHToN COOLEY in The Public.

The campaign has been fruitful in
suggestions. While too many elements
entered into the contest TO permit of
a minute estimate of the various fac
tors. there are certain outstanding facts
that indicate present conditions and the
trend OF political forces.
j he swing Of the eastern states to
tho Republicans and the western states
to the Democrats is indicative Of new
lineup that is taking place. 1t may be
doubted II the German vote cut much
figure, for II Is evident that the presi-
dent received substantial support from
that quarter. The labor vote seems TO
have been divided, part supporting the
administration because OF what it had
done toward establishing better eondi-
tions. and part resorting to the Repub-
licAn party for the sake OF a protective
tariff. But it is apparent that the
president was the victim of the worst
sort of machine politics. The enormou,
plualities for Mr.. Hughes in Illinois,
New York and Pennsylvania were too
far out of the ordinary to admit of any
other explanation than that of betrayal.
The leaders of Tammany and Of the
Democratic organizations in the other
states named are known to have had
their personal reasons for opposing the
president And while they maintained
their regularity by verbal Endorsements,
they did little to back up their words.
Rut the West rallied to Wilson as it
did to Roosevelt four years ago when
he denounced the standpat leaders Of
the Republican party. It is TO the West
that the administration owes its victory,
a victory all the more remarkable and
emphatic because OF the machine oppo-
sition in the eastern and central states.
What does it all meant Is it merely
the triumph of n p,rtv. or OF a man.
Or does II mean continuation of the
struggle for economic freedom and so
cial justice,
The world is entering upon great
revolution. The men and women in this
country who gave life to the progressive
movement, and who constituts the vital
force behind President Wilson, care lit
tie for political organizations, and they
support leaders only as long as they
stand for principle. Politicians may fool
the people for time, as some have
this year, but only for a time. The
men and women who have seen the
light will not be led astray. They have
set their faces steadfastly toward the
goal; and their ranks are swelled by the
daily accession of recruits The cam
paign they wage is from years end to
years end, and from election day 10
election day Whether their principles
arc put into force by this administra-
tion. matters not: they will be put into
of this doctrine and join the ranks of
the free traders. 4 still larger number
Of voters are ignorant of the incidence
of taxation. The failure to understand
the true nature of this great economic
force leads them to support the general
property tax. II may be easier in many
instances TO show the unwisdom of tax
ing industry than TO prove the protec.
tive tariff n burden. Roth arguments
should he pressed increasingly.
One fact should be emphasized: The
democratic movement does not limit It.
self to the fortunes of party, or the
leadership of man; IL stands for the
vital principles upon which rest ccono-
mic freedom and social Justice The
movement is not concerned with small
wage increases, tho reduction of hours
of labor by statute. or any other sump-