The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-10-16
-Four Elements In Campaign
That Are Uncertain.
WOMEN VOTERS A PROBLEM
Democrats Seem Sure Of Labor Sup
port, but Catholic and German Vote,
In Pre- election Claims, Belongs to
Either Side-Ths Freak Bettor Makes
His Appearance.


BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington. Oct. 16.-[special i
There are -four very uncertain Gle
ments In the present campaign, and
the next election may be determined
by the way the vote OF these elements
Is cast. They include the women's
vote, the labor vote. the German vote
and the Catholic vote.
II has been supposed that the labor
vote will so pretty generally to VIII
son. The canvasses that have been
made and the attitude Of the labor lead
ers show that organized labor IS gen
orally inclined to the president for
what he and the Democratic party
have done for labor But 1t Is known
that the Republicans have beer work
ing hard among worbingmen and try
Ing to convince them that the Rcpub-
lican party IL the better friend Of la
Dor than the opposition.
Problem of the Women.
The attitude OF the women Is very
uncertain. IL was supposed that
lAk it's Duh AnUAAAIh Ahi Dhh AaEt WV
when he announced the day after his
acceptance speech that be was for the
federal suffrage amendment. But that
does not seem to have had the effect
that was hoped by the Republicans
The organization Of Wilson women
associations went right along, and 70
1t was added the slogan, Hes kept
US out OF war; and women are now
supposed to be for the president be
cause their sons are not dying I'm the
fierce fighting along the Somme or In
the Balkans nor upon the desert plains
of Mexico. And from all hat can be
gathered IT appears that the women
are uncertain. nor have they given
much intimation OF their intentions.
The German Vote.
Al the convention I'm Chicago the
strongest argument against Roosevelt
was his anti erman sentiments. Ger
mans appeared In strong force aud
worked hard for Hughes, promising
German support IL Hughes instead Of
Roosevelt was nominated. But where
Is that German support now? The
Democrats have been pointing out that
Roosevelt support Of Hughes means
Roosevelt for secretary OF state and
war with Germany. OF course the Ger
man Democrats may be glad to seize
that or any other reason TO go back
into the Democratic party. The Ger
man vote cannot be counted for the
Republicans In a solid phalanx.
The Catholic Vote.
The real anchor OF Republican hope
Is the Catholic vote, for at present II
does not appear that the Democrats
have overcome the prejudice which
has been raised In Catholic minds
against the administration by reason
OF It's Mexican policy, principally the
friendly relations with Carranza, who
has been the deadly enemy OF clerics
and nuns In Mexico. SO far II does
not appear that the Catholics have
been placated. Just whether the preju-
dice is as deep as represented is one
or the unknown questions. 1t is not
believed that the Catholics are attach
ed TO Hughes as they were TO Roose-
welt and Taft, but 1t has been a polit-
ical claim that they are dissatisfied
with Wilson.
The Straw Votes.
In enumerating the various votes !
forgot to include the straw vote. Well
may IL be called a straw, for straws
are fragile even If they show which
way the wind blows. The managers
of the straw voting contests make
great use OF the word drift" The
drift is one way or another. The idea
Is supposed to show that sentiment is
crystallizing one way or another.
There is this to be said about straw
votes: The men who take the trouble
to record themselves In these contests
are not the kind that determine cleo
tions. The great independent mass,
the men who will settle the contest, do
not waste time casting straw votes.
They talk little about politics, but act
with conviction on election day.
Freak Bets.
The time OF freak bets has arrived.
The man who is betting all corners
that they cannot name twelve states
that will vote for Hughes nor name
twelve states that will vote for Wilson
was here the other day. He was tax
ing oil corners and figures hat he
stands a chance to make much money
because he has many chances, partic-
ularly when so many different combi.
nations are made.
Using War Terms.
1t Is announced from the depart
ment OF commerce that Secretary Red
field will mobilize" the entire fleet
of the department at Norfolk, Va, In
December. 1t looks rather strange to
see the term mobilize" used In con-
nection with this peaceful and com
y1nrca rral,ya4nO faat ar rnursa IN lie