The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-11-02

sylvania safe and sure and the fight
only a question of majority, the chaos
and uncertainty in the situation be-
gins-out in the Middle West
If Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota are
to add their customary Republican
votes to the vote of the East and the
scattering electoral vote farther west
with Hughes practically sure of get
ting Kansas, California, Oregon and
Washington and smaller states, like
one of the Dakotas and Idaho and
Utah and possibly Wyoming, the ele-
ment of doubt is removed largely from
the equation. 1t would be close but
sure Hughes win. And that is the
way the Republicans, even admitting
reduced majorities and stronger state
tickets generally than national tic
ket votes, are sure it will be. They
say Democratic claims to states like
Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota is
pure campaign bunc"
But here it is that the Democrats
confidently pin their hopes and con-
victions that Mr. Wilson will be re-
elected. Here it is in these normally
sure G.. o. P. states, that the Demo-
Gratis claim, and reports coincide in
a varying degree that Wilson is max
ing his greatest headway, however
much that may be. Ohio and Wis
consin today, admittedly are doubt
ful states. In Illinois conditions are
chaotic because of the new and huge
woman vote
The Wilson strength in these other
states, on the 'he has kept US out of
war" plea and the Adamson Act is
an uncertain quantity. But that it
exists there stronger than the normal
party strength, is certain. The hard
est thing to guage in politics is
"swing" or trend of any kind. Even
a slight swing makes a lot of noise
There are "slides" and "landslides."
One cuts down the normal majorities;
the other cuts them down past the
breaking point. A mere "slide" won't
help the Democrats this trip. They
have to have a genuine landslide that
will drown the usual huge normal G.
o. P. majorities in these states. The
confident behind normal
majorities, don't see it. He is not
particularly disturbed and calls the
present situation the customary "pre-
election fright" The Democrat with
his ears tuned expectantly, hears q
rumble and lays title to all this de-
cisive battle ground.
1t is one of the anomalies of the
surveys how the fringe"
states, ordinarily doubtful, like Mary
land, Kentucky, West Virginia and
Missouri are regarded. With the |
Democrats challenging normally rock
ribbed Republican states like Ohio,
The ordinary assumption would be that |
f these states were close, the ordin- /
ary doubtful states would be sure for
Wilson by huge majorities. 1t stands
20 reason that such would be the
,ase. Yet no one, Democrat or Repub-
lean, but admits these fringe states
ire just as doubtful as ever this year.
for example, is regarded by
10Th sides today as revolving around
inside of 1000 votes. The
Democrats admittedly, are frightened
'ver the situation there. They believe
will go Democratic, but they will
,e glad to have the election over. The
have never been so con-
ident. The same condition is more
r less true in Kentucky and West
1irginia, especially Kentucky.
why" asks the Republican, "if
here is anything to this talk of
wilson sweep are these doubtful
ringe states even doubtful as both
arties admit they are"
"Why?" asks the Democrats, "if
here isn't Wilson sweep should
oubt be expressed over such normal
epublican states as Ohio, Wisconsin
nd Illinois,"